BIG 30: For some outside of the immediate area, it’s an all-star football game. For many who grew up in the Bradford football program, it’s an opportunity to play one last game on your home turf –– literally.
Kickoff for the 44th annual Big 30 Charities Classic pits graduated seniors from Pennsylvania and New York in a border war and is set for tonight at 7 o’clock at Parkway Field. But the festivities don’t just start after the national anthem. A parade is set to form at 1 p.m. and begin progress from the Best Western Inn before moving to Davis and East Main streets and proceeding on Barbour Street and heading toward Campus Drive. After that, a pregame tailgate near Callahan Park will follow.
Bradford High will be represented on the Pennsylvania all-star team by three graduated seniors –– Dawson Ambrose, Kyle Kirk and Mitch Vleminckx.
The Pennsylvania team will be headed by the coaching staff of Elk Catholic’s Tony Gerg, while Sean Gabel and his Gowanda assistants lead the New York squad.
FAMILY: In the 43 previous years of the Big 30 game, countless siblings have participated. This year, Vleminckx will follow in the footsteps of his older brother, Zach, who played in 2012.
Marty Braun and Tom Heary, two of Gerg’s Pennsy assistants, will have one last opportunity to coach their sons tonight. Jared Braun is a defensive back, while Ryan Heary will play as a linebacker.
Another noteworthy family connection is that of the South family. Bob South, one of the charter committee members of the Big 30, is joined on the Classic committee by his son Brian.
This year, his granddaughter, Audrey, will participate as a cheerleader from St. Marys, giving the Souths three generations of participants today.
TODAY: The Willow Creek Triathlon is happening today, too. This is the 12th annual event, and to date, it has raised $233,900 for Disabled American Veterans in McKean and Warren counties.
