Tom Cooney of Smethport High School is one of the six players
who accepted invitations this week to play in the 34th annual Don
Raabe Big 30 Charities Classic.

Along with Cooney, Troy Betts of Ridgway High School and Jason
Borst of Sheffield High School will be added to the Pennsylvania
roster, while Demetrius Bailey from Olean High School, Alex Palmer
of Franklinville Central School and Kevin Denner of Wellsville
Central School join the New York squad.

Cooney, a 6-0, 195-pound fullback/tailback and linebacker, was
named an AML North offense all-star, was named team offensive MVP
in 2006 and was also the North Tier League javelin champion his
sophomore year.

Cooney will enroll at Clarion University and major in premedical
studies.

He says his reason to play in the Charities Classic is the “Big
30 Game will give me a chance to play high school football one last
time.”

Cooney says sports are his main hobby. His favorite team is the
Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite player is Walter Payton.

Betts, a 5-9, 210-pound tackle/guard and linebacker earned
varsity letters in football.

His plans are to attend Triangle Tech to become an
electrician.

Betts says he will play in the Big 30 Game because “it will
probably be last time I play football and it shows how hard I
work.”

Betts believes his biggest thrill was “my first varsity
sack.”

Betts considers his hobbies to be wrestling and football. His
favorite team is Notre Dame and his favorite player is Barry
Sanders.

Finally for this week’s Pennsylvania additions is Borst, a 6-5,
180-pound wide receiver and safety.

He was named to the Merit honor roll, was an all-conference wide
receiver as a junior, was named to the all-tourney team in
basketball in 2004 and 2006 and qualified for districts in track
five times. In 2006 at districts, Borst finished fourth in the
110-meter hurdles and sixth in the 300-meter hurdles.

Borst plans to attend Edinboro University with an undeclared
major.

His reason for participating in the Big 30 Game is “I want the
chance to play one more game.”

Borst says his biggest thrill was “catching seven passes for 200
yards against Smethport my junior year.”

Borst enjoys golf, snowboarding and snowmobiling in his free
time.

His favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his favorite
player is Joey Porter.

For the New York squad, first is Bailey, a 5-8, 170-pound
running back and strong safety from Olean High School.

He was a recipient of Olean’s offensive MVP and sportsmanship
award. He was also named most valuable field athlete for track and
field.

Bailey’s education plans are undecided at this time.

Bailey says his reason for playing in the Big 30 Game is “I love
football and I want to be a part of the New York team that beats
Pennsylvania.”

His biggest thrill was “scoring my first varsity touchdown as a
sophomore.”

Bailey enjoys cooking and dancing in his free time.

His favorite team is the Philadelphia Eagles and his favorite
players are Brian Westbrook and Terrance McGee.

Also joining the New York side will be Palmer, a 6-0, 190-pound
guard and middle linebacker from Franklinville Central School.

Palmer was football captain and defensive MVP for 2005-06. He
was named wrestling captain from 2005-07, named a conference
all-star 2004-06, qualified for sections three times in track and
field and was named track and field MVP 2004-06. He also was named
Franklinville strong man champion in 2005 and 2006.

Palmer says the Big 30 “has been a goal of mine and it is a
great honor.”

His biggest thrills were “blocking a field goal at Frewsburg and
two consecutive years of three sacks against Ellicottville.”

Palmer is involved in Scottish Highland Games in his free
time.

His favorite team is the Miami Dolphins and his favorite player
is Jason Taylor.

Finishing up this week’s additions and the New York side is
Denner, a 6-2, 190-pound running back and defensive end from
Wellsville Central School.

Denner was named to the honor roll all four years of high
school, was football captain his senior year and was named
offensive MVP his junior and senior year. He was also offense MVP
in baseball and was awarded the coaches’ award in basketball.

Denner plans to attend St. John Fisher, Cornell or Ithaca
colleges, majoring in business or sports management.

He wants to play in the Big 30 Game to get “a chance to play
with all-star talent. It’s an honor to be chosen. My uncle, Kevin
Harris, played in the first Big 30 Game. Also, I hope it will get
me ready for college football.”

Denner says his biggest thrill was “running back kickoffs for
touchdowns.”

Denner’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, shooting, whiffed
ball, both snow and water skiing, basketball and four-wheeling.

His favorite team is Notre Dame and his favorite player is
Lawrence Taylor.

This year’s 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.

This week’s additions bring the total to 24 players who have
accepted invitations to play in the game.