Rosters/positions set for upcoming Big 30 game
Pennsylvania head coach Justin Bienkowski and his Port Allegany staff will lead 41 players from 13 schools in the 48th Annual Big 30 Charities Classic on Saturday, Aug. 6, at Bradford's Parkway Field.
Unlike the Frank Varischetti All-Star Football Game, where players can line up on both sides of the ball, Big 30 participants must play either offense or defense.
Elkers Eric Salberg (Ridgway) and Camron Marciniak (Johnsonburg) will play offense. Ridgway's Dan Park, Hunter Wall, and Tyler Merritt will be on defense, along with Johnsonburg's Kenny McKenna.
Elk County Catholic's Joe Geci will play offense, as will Christian Coudriet, Colton Swanson, Colton Bullers, and Conner Straub from St. Marys. Kane's Jake Costanzo, Harley Morris, and Shane Ackley will play defense.
Others on the roster are from Bradford, Cameron County, Coudersport, Eisenhower, Otto-Eldred, Port Allegany, Sheffield, Smethport, and Warren.
Chad Saltsman, Cliff Fillhart, Kyle Bachman, Brian Neal, and Seth Lowery are assisting Bienkowski.
Proceeds from the annual event are donated to individuals in need and charitable organizations in McKean, Elk, Cameron, Potter, and Warren in Pennsylvania and Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties in New York. Since the game started in 1974, over 1.7 million dollars have been donated.
The series with
New York is tied 2222-3. Pennsylvania has never led in wins since the start in 1974. However, the Keystone State has won four of the past five, including last year's 35-0 defeat led by Ridgway's Mark Heindl and assistants Rick Viglione, Mickey Delhunty, Jack Kifer, and Tony Defilippi. The 2019 game ended 27-27. There was no game in 2020 due to COVID 19.
Domenic Allegretto from the Elkers and others were originally selected but won't be able to play due to college and other commitments. 2022 Pennsylvania Big 30 roster by position Offense
QB – Christian Coudriet (St. Marys), Noah Lent (Smethport); RB – Camron Marciniak (Johnsonburg), Chase Palmer (Otto-Eldred), Dylan Rieder (Cameron County), Nolan Gonzalez (Bradford); WR/RB – Eric Salberg (Ridgway), Dalton Dixon (Bradford); WR - Alex Ognen (Smethport), Connor Straub (St. Marys); TE – Tony Richards (Sheffield), Gage Shaffer (Warren); T – Cohen Walker (Otto-Eldred), Jacob Coffman (OttoEldred), Derek Cherry (Cameron County); C – Connor Bullers (St. Marys), Taylor Geitner (Cameron County), G – Joe Geci (Elk County Catholic), Colton Swanson (St. Marys), Kaden
Blanair (Coudersport).
Defense
DT – Kenny McKenna (Johnsonburg), Devon Cromer (Port Allegany), Jake Costanzo (Kane), Drake Vanderhoof (Eisenhower); DE – Dan Park (Ridgway), Brandon Higley (Smethport), Easton Hultberg (Warren), Justice Green (Warren); MLB – Hunter Wall (Ridgway), Travis Cooney (Smethport); OL – Gannon Jacquay (Eisenhower), Mike Jones (Eisenhower), Kody Vega (Warren); CB – Harley Morris (Kane), Shane Ackley (Kane), Chase Weimer (Port Allegany), AJ Wiley (Port Allegany); S – Tyler Merritt (Ridgway), Elijah Fitton (Bradford), Payton Spencer (Port Allegany), Cooper Traister (Sheffield).
Players by team: 6 – Ridgway, 4 – St. Marys, Smethport, Port Allegany, Warren, 3 – Kane, Bradford, Cameron County, OttoEldred, Eisenhower, 2 – Sheffield, 1 – Elk County Catholic, Coudersport.