After seven years, two cousins are once again sharing the same
side of the field.

Elk County Catholic’s Kyle Mahoney and St. Marys’ Lucas Wendel
were both invited to play in this year’s Don Raabe Big 30 Charities
Classic.

Mahoney and Wendel, whose mothers Marsha Mahoney and Lorie Surra
are sisters, played on a traveling baseball all-star team together
when they were 10 and 11.

Since then, the two have been on opposite sides of the ball.

That will change Saturday, however, as Wendel at 6-0, 160
pounds, and Mahoney at 5-10, 185 pounds will both take the field
for Pennsylvania. Wendel was quarterback for St. Marys, while
Mahoney was quarterback and safety for Elk County Catholic.

In the Classic, Wendel will be one of the quarterbacks for
Pennsylvania, while Mahoney will play as a wide receiver.

Wendel’s plans include attending the University of Pittsburgh at
Johnstown, after which he hopes to attend the Pennsylvania State
Police Academy.

During Wendel’s high school career, he was an Olean (N.Y.) Times
Herald Big 30 all-star, as well as a District 9 and DuBois Courier
Express all-star. Wendel also was a three-year letterman in
football, basketball and baseball.

Mahoney plans to attend Clarion University to study athletic
training, where he will also be a wide receiver for the Golden
Eagles.

Mahoney was also honored as an Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald Big 30
all-star and as an Allegheny Mountain League all-star. He played
guard for ECC’s PIAA Class A basketball team and was co-captain of
both the football and basketball teams.