A pair of Ellicottville and Ridgway players have accepted invitations to play in the Big 30 Charities Classic football game.  

Added to the New York roster are Todd Thompson II of Pioneer High School, Liam Watt of Ellicottville Central School and Austin Whitmer of Ellicottville Central School.

Joining the Pennsylvania squad are Joseph Kucenski of Elk County Catholic High School and Justin Kasmierki and Colton McClain, both of Ridgway Area High School.

Thompson II, 5’7”, 170 pounds, played running back for Pioneer.

He plans to Buffalo State, where he will play football and major in history.

He was named All-State First team while also being named WNY Player of the Week in week 2.

Thompson is looking forward to the high level of competition the game brings.

His most memorable moment playing football was when his team was involved with a shootout against East Aurora, when the two teams combined for 93 points.

Thompson’s hobbies include football, chess and track.

His favorite NFL team is the Buffalo Bills and his favorite player is Demarco Murray.

Watt, 6’3”, 300 pounds, played left tackle/defensive tackle for Ellicottville.

He plans to attend Middle Tennessee State university and major in video editing and production.

He was a 2-time Big 30 All-star and Big 30 honorable mention.

Watt also received a coaches award while at Ellicottville Central.

Scholastically, Watt received The Clarkson University Leadership Award, and was a high honor roll student.

The Big 30 game has always been a dream of his.

His most memorable moment playing football was playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium 4 out of 5 years and beating Randolph coming off their state championships.

His hobbies include playing video games, playing/watching football, and hanging out with friends.

His favorite football team is the Seattle Seahawks and his favorite player is J.J. Watt.

Whitmer, 5’10”, 160 pounds, played running back/outside linebacker for Ellicottville.

He plans to attend Erie Community College and major in sports marketing and management.

He was named a Section 6 Class D first-team all-star, and was also named team most improved player.

Whitmer received the Jamestown Business Junior Academic Progress Award.

He believes the Big 30 game is a great opportunity to play one last football game with his close friends.

His most memorable moment playing football was going to sectionals two years in a row and getting to play in a professional stadium.

Whitmer’s hobbies include playing football and weight lifting.

His favorite NFL team is the Dallas Cowboys and his favorite player is Antonio Brown.

Kucenski, 6’4”, 250 pounds, played guard/defensive end for the Crusaders.

He plans on attending a four-year university and pursuing a degree in secondary education.

Kucenski was a two-time AML South All-Star, a D-9 first team defense selection, team captain, a Big 30 All-Star selection and was named Big 30 Defensive Player of the Year.

As a kid, he looked up to the players who were in the game from his area and is honored to be able to play with such great talent from the area.

His most memorable moment playing football was coming back with an 8-3 record after a 0-9 season.

Kucenski’s hobbies include hunting, listening to good music and camping.

His favorite football team is the Penn State Nittany Lions and his favorite player is Joey Bosa.

Kasmierski, 6’3”, 238 pounds, played tackle/defensive end for the Elkers.

He plans on attending either Edinboro or IUP to major in accounting.

He also plans on continuing his football career in college.

Kasmierski is a two-time AML All-Star and a two-time Tri-county All-Star.

In addition, he was named a westernfootball.net All-Star and was named to the PFW All-State Team.

In school, Kasmierski is a member of the National Honor Society and high honor roll student.

He believes the Big 30 is more than a game, that it’s for a great cause.

His most memorable moment playing football was winning the district title his senior year.

His hobbies include football, basketball, baseball, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

Kasmierski’s favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite player is J.J. Watt.

McClain, 5’10”, 270 pounds, played guard/defensive tackle for the Elkers.

He plans to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology for heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology.

McClain was named to the AML All-Stars and Big 30 All-Star team at defensive tackle.

He was also a member of the Ridgway-Johnsonburg D-9 Championship team.

He looks forward to playing in the Big 30 game, as it will be his last football game.

McClain’s most memorable moment playing football was playing with his close friends and winning the D-9 Championship.

His hobbies are football and wrestling.

His favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite player is James Harrison.

For information on past games and a look at the history of the Big 30 Classic, log onto www.Big30football.org.