New additions to Big 30 Roster
The Big 30 Committee recently announced their new additions to the game. Among the five new additions for Pennsylvania are two players from Eisenhower, one each from Ridgway, Johnsonburg and Otto-eldred. New York additions include Peter Conley from Southwestern High School, Owen Chudy from Ellicottville High School and Nathan Bull, Gavin Haley and Jake Kopinski all from Pioneer High School.
Alex Merritt Ridgway Height: 6' 3” Weight: 220 Lbs.
Offense: RT Defense: LB/DE
Alex plans to enter the work force after graduation. He is on the Principal's honor roll and is a high honor roll student. He was named Ridgway's Lineman of the Year and Defensive Player of the year. He is a 3-year letterman in football, a 2-year letterman in basketball and a 1-year letterman in tennis. He is looking forward to playing one last football game as part of the Pennsylvania Big 30 team. His favorite memory playing football was being able to play alongside his brother during his sophomore year. His hobbies include basketball, football and art club. His favorite NFL team is the Philadelphia Eagles and his favorite player is Brian Dawkins. Braxton Caldwell Otto-eldred Height: 6' 5” Weight: 200 Lbs.
Offense: LT Defense: DE
Braxton plans to attend Pitt-bradford and major in Sports Medicine and play basketball for the Panthers. In 2023, he was named Defensive Lineman of Year in District 9, Region 3. He was also named to the Big 30 Athletic Fund third team in basketball in 2023 and named to the Big 30 Athletic Fund first team in basketball in 2024. He was a 2-time District 9 allstar in football and an NTL All-star in basketball. He was Otto-eldred's Lineman of the Year in 2022. He wants to play in the Big 30 Charities Classic game because he always enjoyed watching the annual game since he was a kid. His favorite memory playing was his first touchdown against Bucktail his junior year. He hobbies include working out, playing football and basketball. His favorite NFL team is the Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite player is T.J. Watt. Cameron Larkin Johnsonburg Height: 6' Weight: 180 Lbs.
Offense: QB Defense: OLB
Cameron plans to enter the State Trooper Academy after graduation. He is a High Honor Roll student at Johnsonburg Area High School. He worked to earn multiple Player of the Game awards. He was the team MVP in 2023 and offensive MVP in 2022. He says the Big 30 game gives him the chance to play with some of the buddies he grew up with one last time. His favorite moment playing football was when Brady returned a kick for a touchdown. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, lifting and hanging out with friends. His favorite NFL team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kris Bunk Eisenhower Height: 6' 4” Weight: 205 Lbs.
Offense: TE Defense: DE
Kris plans to play college football and earn his degree in Communications. He plans to become a sports broadcaster as well as join a golf league and win millions sports betting. He was twice named to the All-region team as a tight end and equaled that tally as a 2-time Alldistrict 10 All-star tight end. In addition, he is a high honor roll student. Kris says his cousin and several teammates played in the Big 30 game so it is just something he has strived to experience himself. His favorite memory playing football was setting a school record for receiving touchdowns in a season, as well as tying the school record for receiving touchdowns in a game. His hobbies include golf, gaming with the boys and live broadcasting. His favorite NFL team is the Pittsburgh Steelers an his favorite player is Ben Roethlisberger. Shawn Pascuzzi Eisenhower Height: 6' 1” Weight: 185 Lbs.
Offense: QB Defense: FS
Shawn plans to enter college to get a degree in business. After college he is going to create his own golf course and make bank. His plans are to get married, have children and have a massive house. He was named 2024 Region Player of the Year and received All-region All-star awards as a quarterback and free safety. He chose to accept his invitation to the Big 30 Game to share the field with his boys one last time and to create bonds with players from other schools. His favorite football memory was having an undefeated regular season and competing for a district title his junior year. His hobbies are hunting, fishing, and golfing even though he says he's not very good at golf. His favorite NFL team is the Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite player is Troy Polamalu.