The Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic announced its latest player additions for the 2024 game.
Five players from both Pennsylvania and New York were added, including two players each from Elk County Catholic and Bolivar-Richburg.
Player profiles can be seen below.
Alex GahrElk County
Catholic High School
Height: 6’4” —
Weight: 270 Lbs.
Offense: RT/LT —
Defense: DT/DE
Alex plans to attend Thiel College and major in Exercise Science or undecided. He will play football while he attends there. He was a three-year letterwinner while at ECCHS. He is looking to forward to playing in the Big 30 Game to play a competitive football game and support the local needs of his community. His favorite memory playing football was diving and jumping into a mud puddle at the end of the season. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, playing basketball, playing backyard football and cooking. His favorite NFL team is the Green Bay Packers and favorite player is Clay Matthews.
Braylon ButtonPort Allegany High School
Height: 6’5” —
Weight: 225 Lbs.
Offense: OT — Defense: DE
Braylon plans to attend Robert Morris University and major in Accounting. He was a D-9 Region 2 All-Star and a member of the National Honor Society. He is looking forward to playing in the Big 30 Game because it will be his last chance to play organized football. His favorite memory was winning the D-9 Championship in his junior year. His hobbies are playing basketball and video games. His favorite NFL team is the Miami Dolphins, and his favorite player is Jaelan Phillips.
Dane AndersonKane Area High School
Height: 5’10” —
Weight: 170 Lbs.
Offense: WR — Defense: S
Dane was twice selected to the D-9 All-Star team. He is looking forward to playing in the Big 30 Game because he loves the sport and would like to end his career on a good note. His favorite memory playing football was a one-handed catch against Ridgway. His hobbies include snowboarding, basketball, going to the gym, fishing, baseball, and golf. His favorite NFL team is the Seattle Seahawks, and his favorite player is DK Metcalf.
Brady HeindlRidgway Area High School
Height: 5’6” —
Weight: 250 Lbs.
Offense: T — Defense: T
Brady plans to attend Penn State Behrend and major in Engineering. Brady has National Honors and receives a Principles Award. He says he wants to play in the Big 30 Game for his family and friends. His favorite memory was being added to the kick return team and when the ball was kicked, it bounced off another player’s head, and into his arms. He returned it ten yards. His hobbies include lifting, basketball and hanging out with friends. His favorite NFL team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his favorite player was Ben Roethlisberger.
Noah CherryElk County
Catholic High School
Height: 5’10” —
Weight: 160 Lbs.
Offense: RB — Defense: S
Noah plans to enter Alfred State University and major in Mechanical Engineering and play football for the Saxons. He is a National Football Federation Scholar Athlete Award winner. He is an honor roll student. Noah is the Elk County Catholic Crusaders Football Leadership Award winner, and a two-time D-9 All-Star, D-9 Region 3 Offensive MVP and he received the Elk County Catholic Crusaders Football Excellence in football Award. He believes it will be a fun experience and he will enjoy playing in the Big 30 Game. His most memorable moment was reaching 1,000 yards rushing his junior year and making over 100 tackles his senior year. His hobbies include fishing, Xbox, and riding dirt bikes. His favorite NFL team is the Cleveland Browns, and his favorite player is Odell Beckham Jr.
Zach MitchellBolivar-Richburg
Height: 5’10” —
Weight: 190 Lbs.
Offense: G —
Defense: MLB
Zach plans to attend college and major in Chemical Engineering. He was a two-time Section V All-Star and 2023 Defensive Player of the Week. He was also DNC player to watch and NYS 8 Man All-Star Honorable Mention. He is excited to play in the Big 30 Game because it gives him one more chance to play football. His most memorable football memory was making it to the sectional championship in his senior year. He lists his main hobby as weightlifting. His favorite football team is Penn State, and his favorite player is Rob Gronkowski.
Brody HeaneyWellsville
Secondary School
Height: 6’3” —
Weight: 259 Lbs.
Offense: RT —
Defense: DE
Brody plans to attend college and major in Marketing. He also has had thoughts of pursuing football in college. He was a Section V 8-man 2nd team All-Star. He was also his team’s captain. In addition, he received his teams football coaches award, and was named Volleyball team captain. Brody is a member of the National Honor Society. His most memorable football memory was coming back from a three-touchdown deficit to win the first game of the season. His hobbies include working out and skiing. His favorite NFL team is the Buffalo Bills, and his favorite player is Dawson Knox.
Hayden EmleyPortville Central School
Height: 5’10” —
Weight: 215 Lbs.
Offense: C — Defense: T
Hayden’s future plans are to play baseball at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and study Business Management. He was an 8-time high honor roll student and a fourth place Section 6 finisher in wrestling. In addition: he was selected to the Big 30 All-Star team, and he was a Trench Trophy Nominee. Hayden said, ever since he was a freshman, his ultimate goal was to reach the Big 30 Game, just like his family and friends and father did. His most memorable thing about playing football was playing with all of his friends and the special bonds we shared. His hobbies include playing travel baseball, four-wheeling and hanging with his friends. His favorite NFL team is the Buffalo Bills, and his favorite player is Jason Kelce.
Caden AllenBolivar-Richburg
High School
Height: 6’1” —
Weight: 205 Lbs.
Offense: QB —
Defense: LB
Caden plans to attend college and major in Physical Therapy and play football for his school. He was named NY All-State 1st Team and league all-star as well as sectional all-star and Section V Defensive Player of the Year. He is also a Scholar Athlete. He states playing in the Big30 Game will be a great experience and a last chance to play football with a few of his friends one last time. His favorite memory playing football was making the sectional finals. His hobbies include working out, baseball and wrestling. His favorite NFL team is the Buffalo Bills, and his favorite player is Josh Allen.
Hunter SmithEllicottville
Height: 5’9” —
Weight: 160 Lbs.
Offense: RB —
Defense: OLB/MLB
Hunter plans to attend Hilbert College and major in Psychology and play baseball for Hilbert. He was named to the Olean Times Herald Big 30 All-Star Team on offense and was named Class D Defensive Player of the Year. He is looking forward to the Big 30 Game and is ready to leave everything on the field in that game. His favorite moments playing football were the three appearances at Highmark Stadium. His hobbies include skiing, lifting, and reading. His favorite NFL team is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and his favorite player is Mike Evans.
