Throughout the years, Evan Whitmore could be found at several Big 30 All-Star Charities Classics in t-shirts of various colors, supporting family members playing in or cheering for the New York and Pennsylvania squads.

This weekend, he’ll be in red.

Wearing number 54, Evan is a 5-11, 200-pound middle linebacker for the 2025 Pennsy boys.  The baby of both his immediate and extended families, Evan is the last, for now, in a long line of relatives to take part in the beloved annual all-star football game.

Evan Whitmore, at left, will play in this weekend’s Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic. He is pictured here in 2019 with, from left, his mom, Amanda; sister Brianna Goodell; dad, Arron Whitmore; and sister Sierra Whitmore.

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His father, Arron, wore blue as a defensive end for New York in 1990, a graduate of Salamanca, N.Y., Central School. His cousins, Brandon and Tyler Yarnes of Portville, N.Y., played in the 2008 and 2010 Classics, respectively. His sisters, Sierra Whitmore, Logan Whitmore and Brianna Goodell, all took part as cheerleaders — Sierra for Bradford in 2011, Logan for Ellicottville, N.Y., in 2016 and Brianna for Bradford in 2019.

Now, finally, it’s Evan’s turn.

Evan Whitmore, front right, at the 2016 Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic. He is pictured with, back, from left, his sister Brianna Goodell; dad, Arron; mom, Amanda; sister Sierra; and sister Deni. Evan is standing beside his sister Logan, who cheered at the Classic that year.

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“It’s really neat,” Arron said of having his son play in the game as well. “All along as Evan was growing up it was a dream of his to make the Big 30 (game) and he did that.

“Reminiscing, him talking about practice, me asking him questions — it’s brought back a lot of memories from when I played. It just all comes flooding back. Even though it’s 35 years ago, I can still remember it all.”

Evan said that, so far, he’s been most struck by the family-like atmosphere at the Pennsylvania practices.

“The first few practices I was really nervous,” Evan admitted, “thinking I couldn’t match up with everybody else, being on the smaller side of the kids there.” He said that talking with his dad helped settle his jitters, understanding that it’s still football — moves that Evan has executed time and time again throughout his career.

Arron has plenty of experience from which to draw his words of wisdom, having played a few years of semi-pro football for the Hornell (N.Y.) Dragons. Evan’s cousin Brandon suited up for the Alfred (N.Y.) University Saxons. For Evan’s part, he plans to play baseball at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford while he pursues a degree in engineering technology. He played center field throughout high school for the Owls.

Arron Whitmore, left, with the semi-pro Hornell Dragons football team. Arron’s brother DJ is at right.

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As gametime draws near, Evan said he isn’t too nervous, having practiced two weeks with Ridgway’s Rocco Delhunty, who Evan said “runs harder than anyone I’ve ever played against.” Delhunty has his own family traditions to carry into the 2025 Classic, with Big 30 players scattered throughout his dad’s side of the family.

Evan said, “I hope I can live up to (the Whitmore family Big 30 tradition). I have an opportunity for (my family) to see me play one more time — it’s kind of like a passing of the torch.”

Charities Classic Committee President Brian South said, “It’s going to be a good game, as always. Both teams are practicing very hard, we have two great coaching staffs — it’s going to be a very memorable game.”

“I’m just trying to have fun and take it all in,” Evan said. “I know if I freak myself out I’m not going to do well. When Saturday rolls around I’m just going to relax and have fun with the kids I’ve made friends with before the game.”

Arron said he offered his son much the same advice.

“I made that clear, during his senior year especially, just try to take it all in because it goes so fast. Your senior year, all of the varsity starts, it just flies by. It’s gone in a flash and you don’t really remember a lot of it, so I wanted him to take it all in.

“Look up in the stands, see the people’s faces and remember everyone who came to watch you. Take a second, and you’ll remember this for a long, long time.”