The Big 30 announced over the weekend the first three players to be added to each the New York and Pennsylvania rosters of the 2020 Charities Classic.
Pennsylvania’s three players — Otto-Eldred’s Colton Gietler, Port Allegany’s Montgomery Tanner and Smethport’s Hunter Lent — are each from the District 9 Small School Division.
Gietler, who attends Oswayo Valley, which co-ops with O-E, played running back and defensive end/linebacker for the Terrors. He stands at 5-9 and weighs in at 160 pounds.
He says his favorite moments playing football were “scoring touchdowns with the boys.” He will attend a four-year college to study engineering.
Tanner, a 6-foot, 145-pound receiver for the Gators, also played as a defensive back. His favorite high school football memories are being constructively criticized by Port A head coach Justin Bienkowski in efforts to improve his game.
Tanner plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to study criminal justice.
Lent played fullback and defensive end for the Hubbers.
Checking in a 5-10 and 155 pounds, Lent says his favorite football moments were the memories and camaraderie he developed with teammates and coaches both on and off the field.
He will enter the workforce following his graduation from Smethport.
On the New York side, Southwestern Central’s Dominic Certo, Allegany-Limestone’s Daniel Stayer and Portville’s Michael Stillman were each added to the Empire State roster.
Certo, a 6-1, 160-pound receiver and defensive back, was named a Post-Journal All-Star at receiver, was a First Team All Western New York receiver and set three receiving records at Southwestern Central.
Stayer, meanwhile, was a fullback and middle linebacker for Allegany-Limestone. Checking in at 5-11 and 195 pounds, he also enjoyed successes on the baseball diamond, and will attend Alfred State.
Stillman is 5-6 and 160 pounds, and played quarterback and safety for Portville. He earned Player of the Week at PCHS during his time as a Panther, and will attend Jamestown Community College to study nursing.
The 2020 Big 30 Charities Classic is set for Saturday, Aug. 1 at Parkway Field in Bradford.
