It’s that time of the year again when area seniors begin
accepting invitations to play in the Don Raabe Charities
Classic.

Headlining today’s first six additions is Bradford High’s Jim
Milbrandt.

Milbrandt, 5-11, 190 pounds, was a quarterback, split end and
safety for the Owls.

He plans to major in criminal justice at Bloomsburg University.
Milbrandt was a member of the National Honor Society and was a
District 9 League first-team all-star.

He wants to play in the Big 30 Game because “it is a once in a
lifetime opportunity” and he gets the opportunity “to play once
again with my friends.”

Milbrandt says his biggest football thrill was “making it to the
state playoffs.”

Milbrandt enjoys hunting and lifting weights in his free time.
He says his favorite team is the Oakland Raiders and his favorite
player is Randy Moss.

Also named to the Pennsylvania roster are John P. Malizia of
Cameron County and Joe Riel of Eisenhower.

Malizia, 6-0, 205 pounds, was a running back and middle
linebacker for the Red Raiders.

He plans to major in pre-law and criminal justice at Edinboro
University.

Malizia was named to Who’s Who among Americas Students. In
addition, he was named an Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald Big 30 All-Star
and an AML All-Star and lettered three years in football.

He wants to play in the Big 30 Game because “I love football and
it’s a once in a lifetime experience.”

Malizia believes his biggest football thrill is as the
“adrenaline rushes and listening to the crowd when our team makes a
dramatic play.”

His hobbies include football, lifting, snowboarding, riding dirt
and road bikes, camping and hunting.

Riel, 5-9, 155 pounds, played tailback and linebacker for the
Knights.

His plans are to study building construction at Triangle
Tech.

Riel was named most valuable offensive back, a team MVP, a
Region 2 second-team running back and won the Greg Munskard Award
for outstanding wrestler (sportsmanship and conduct).

He wants to play in the Big 30 Game because “it will probably be
my last chance to play football in pads.”

His biggest football thrill was “setting records when the whole
team was healthy.”

Riel enjoys football, swimming and construction work in his free
time.

Named to the New York roster are Chris Grace of
Allegany-Limestone, Bill Erwin of Bolivar-Richburg and Bryan Fite
of Cattaraugus-Little Valley.

Grace, 6-0, 175 pounds, was a quarterback and defensive
back.

Grace plans to enroll at SUNY Brockport with an undecided
major.

He was a member of the National Honor Society, an Olean (N.Y.)
Times-Herald Big 30 All-Star, was named Class C South most valuable
offensive player and was a third team all-state defenseman.

He wants to play in the Raabe Classic because “it has always
been a dream and it is a great honor to be invited.”

His biggest football thrills are “winning the C Bowl finals and
setting the school record for interceptions.”

His hobbies are snowboarding and lifting weights. His favorite
team is the Buffalo Bills. Jim Kelly is his favorite player.

Erwin, 6-1, 230 pounds, was an offensive and defensive
lineman.

He plans to study pharmacy at St John Fisher.

Erwin was a scholar athlete, won the Air Force math and science
award and the Principal’s Award. He was named a Livingston County
All-Star, an Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald Big 30 All-Star and was
captain of the football and basketball teams.

He wants to play in the Big 30 Game because “the Big 30 Game is
a great honor and I am honored to have the privilege to play in
it.”

His biggest football thrills are “going 9-1 my senior year and
making it to the sectional finals.”

His hobby is anything to do with sports. His favorite team is
the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fite, 6-1, 180 pounds, was a fullback and defensive end.

He plans to major in physical education at Erie Community
College.

Fite was named an Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald Big 30 All-Star, was
MVP in the sectional playoffs at Ralph Wilson Stadium versus Maple
Grove and was a league first-team all-star.

He wants to play in the Big 30 Game because “I love football and
I don’t want to miss a chance to play one more game. This is a
great achievement and honor.”

His biggest football thrill is “just playing the game. I love
it, making plays and having fun.”

Fite’s hobbies include playing video games and being involved in
sports. Fite follows the Indianapolis Colts. His favorite player is
Peyton Manning.

The 34th annual game will be played at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at
Bradford High’s Parkway Field.

The game pits graduated seniors from Pennsylvania against
graduated seniors from New York.

New York holds a 17-14-2 advantage.

The first 33 games produced over $1,150,000 donated to numerous
charities and personal causes throughout the Twin Tiers.