Three practices left for Big 30 game

KANE – After working out on the Wolves' practice field on Monday, the Pennsylvania squad will be at Elk County Catholic tonight and Otto-Eldred on Wednesday. Thursday is the banquet, and the final walkthrough for Saturday's game will be Friday in Sheffield. The game is being played at Bradford's Parkway Field.

Camron Marciniak, Kenny McKenna, Tyler Merritt, Dan Park, Eric Salberg, and Hunter Wall will represent the Elkers. In addition, Shane Ackley, Jake Costanzo, and Harley Morris from Kane, Elk County Catholic's Joe Gecci and Christian Coudriet, Conner Bullers, Conner Straub, and Colton Swanson are also playing.

Justin Bienkowski, a 1998 Johnsonburg graduate, will coach PA, which looks to take the lead for the first time against New York since the game began in 1974. The series is tied 22-22-13.

"With just two full practices left, it's time to shore anything up that might be loose or anything guys aren't sure about," The PA coach said following Monday's workout.

Bienkowski, the head coach at Port Allegany, is pleased with how his players are coming together.

"This is a phenomenal group of young men. Their coaches, families, teammates, and schools should be proud. There's been no element of bull crap and anything like that. It's just a great group of guys who want to come to practice, bang heads, and meet new friends."

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. Nearly 1.8 million dollars have been donated.

Practices start at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the gates at Parkway will open at 5 p.m., and kick-off is set for 7 p.m.

Photo by Bob Parana Pennsylvania players at Monday's Big 30 practice in Kane. The PA vs. New York Charities Classic is tied 22-223. The Keystone State has won four of the past five games. The 2019 contest ended in a tie. There was no game in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Photo by Bob Parana Dan Park from Ridgway (right) and Kane's Jake Costanzo at Monday's PA practice for Saturday's Big 30 Charities Classic Saturday night in Bradford. The team is at Elk County Catholic for tonight's practice (6 p.m.).

Photo by Bob Parana Camron Marciniak of the Elkers makes a catch during Monday's Pennsylvania Big 30 practice in Kane. The 48th edition of the Charities Classic is Saturday night at Parkway Field in Bradford.