Larkin, Merritt selected for Big 30
Seniors Alex Merritt (RT, LB/DE) and Camron Larkin (QB, OLB) will join Elker teammate Brady Heindl on the Pennsylvania roster for the Aug. 3 Big 30 Charities Classic at Bradford's Parkway Field.
"Alex and Cam are great choices and are not only great representatives for the Big 30 but also for our Ridgway and Johnsonburg area," said Elker head coach Mark Heindl. "Seeing what they did on the field was one thing, but I can't say enough about how they mentored our younger players."
Merritt from Ridgway and Larkin from Johnsonburg were among last season's coop's co-captains.
Otto-Eldred's Braxton Caldwell (LT, DE) was also selected to play in the game by the Big 30 Committee, along with Kris Bunk (TE, DE) and Shawn Pascuzzi (QB, FS) from Eisenhower.
Merritt, who plans to enter the workforce upon graduation, earned Elker Lineman and Defensive Player of the Year last season when contributing a team-leading 91 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown against Union-A/C Valley. He also anchored the offensive line.
The three-year football and two-year basketball letter earner was named an AML All-Star for his play on the hardwood and represented the Elkers in the recent Big 30 Basketball Senior Showcase. He also earned a letter in tennis.
According to the Big 30 release, Merritt looks forward to representing the state and team in one more football game.
His favorite memory is when, as a sophomore, he "got to play with his brother Tyler."
"It's neat for Alex," Heindl said. "Tyler played in the game a couple of years ago, so he saw how cool the whole experience is, and I'm happy he gets to be a part of it."
Merritt's hobbies include basketball, football, and art club. His favorite NFL team is the Eagles, and his favorite player is Brian Dawkins.
Larkin, who plans to enter the State Trooper Academy after graduating, was last season's Elker MVP and the 2022 Offensive
MVP. He finished his career with 2,438 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.
"After being thrown in as a sophomore when Jonathan (Hinton) got hurt, it was impressive to see how much Cam progressed," Heindl said. "Being selected to play is a great way for him to cap off his high school career."
According to the Big 30 release, Larkin is appreciative he gets to play one more game with some of the buddies he grew up with. His favorite football memory is seeing "Brady return a kick for a touchdown."
Larkin's hobbies include hunting, fishing, lifting, and hanging out with friends. His favorite team is the Steelers.
The Classic started in 1974 and has donated over $2 million to charities and individuals in need in the Big 30 area, making a significant difference in the lives of many in Elk, McKean, Cameron, Potter, and Warren counties in Pennsylvania, and Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua counties in New York.
Last Year, the Keystone State beat New York 34-27 to take a 24-22-3 series lead. Heindl guided the squad to a 27-0 victory in 2021.
"The Big 30 does so many good things, so it's special when you get to be a part of it," said the Elker coach, Brady's father.
Since 2016, Pennsylvania has won six of the seven games played. Players were selected, but there was no game in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Updated 2024 Big 30 PA roster Ridgway:
Brady Heindl (OT, DT), Alex Merritt (RT, LB/DE), Camron Larkin (QB, OLB)
Elk County Catholic:
Noah Cherry (RB, S), Alex Gahr (OT, DT/ DE), Thomas Gilmore (OL, LB)
St. Marys:
Tristen Dilley (WR/TE, LB), Mathew Davis (RB, LB)
Kane:
Dane Anderson (WR, S)
Bradford:
Matt Perry (WB, MLB), Ian Degolier (RT, T/DE), Adam Ward (WR/DB)
Cameron County:
Maddox Baughman (QB, FS), Jesop Farabaugh (T, DE)
Coudersport:
Viggo Brown (Skills, OLB), James Liller (DT) Camron
Eisenhower:
Jakubczak (WR, DE), Tucker Lindell (RB, LB), Colin Dobkowski (OT, DL), J.J. Darr (LT, DT), Kris Bunk (TE, DE), Shawn Pascuzzi (QB, FS)
Otto-Eldred:
Tyler McElhattan (C, DT) Tucker Lindell (RB, LB), Colin Dobkowski (OT, DL), J.J. Darr (LT, DT), Braxton Caldwell (LT, DE)
Port Allegany:
Miska Young (RG, DE), Austin Freer (DT), Levi Wilfong (C, DE), Peyton Stiles (HB, OLB), Braylon Button (OT, DE)
Sheffield:
Dylan Hardwick WR, S/CB) Smethport: Ryan Mason (RB/WR, OLB/S)
Mathew Sowa (WR, LB), Johnny Corbett (WR, CB)