The Big 30 has begun unveiling the names of players who have committed to participating in the upcoming 2026 Charities Classic. The following is the sixth full release sent out by the selection committee:
Henry Eckert
Southwestern (Frewsburg) High School
Height: 6′ 0″ – Weight: 190 lbs.
Offense: TE – Defense: LB
Henry plans to go to college for a degree in Aviation so he can become a cargo pilot for a top company. He lists his honors as National Honor Society member, three-time Coaches Award Winner, Character Athlete Award Winner, and Tom Sharp Hard Nose Award Winner. Henry wants to play in the Big 30 game because he wants to be able to play organized football one more time before he goes to college. His best memory while playing football was the mid-season high intensity practices. They were hard, but they always had fun. Henry lists his hobbies as weightlifting, video games, and basketball. His favorite football team is the Buffalo Bills, and his favorite football player is George Kittle.
Matthew Ritter
Wellsville High School
Height: 5’9″ – Weight: 190 lbs.
Offense: TB – Defense: MLB
Matthew plans to attend Alfred State for 2 years for Electrical Engineering and to play baseball. He says that he wants to play in the Big 30 game, so he will have one more chance to play football. Matthew’s best memory while playing football was having the first sectional home game of the year for the program. His hobbies are baseball, cars, hunting, and fishing. His favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite football player is Big Ben Rothliberger.
George Marshall
Southwestern Central School
Height: 6’0” – Weight: 200 lbs.
Offense: RB/FG/TF – Defense: LB
George wants to go to college and major in Mechanical Engineering. His honors are 1st Team All-League his junior and senior year yet for LB. He has been on the Honor Roll every single quarter of his career. He wants to play in the Big 30 game because he wants his last ever football game to end with a win. He said he will miss playing football, and he can’t wait to get back out there for the Big 30 game. George’s best memory while playing football was making it to the Bills’ Stadium for his last ever football game. His hobbies are lifting, fishing, video games, and just being out in nature. The New York Jets are his favorite football team, and his favorite player is Garrett Wilson.
Carter Capozzi
Gowanda High School
Height: 6’4” – Weight: 185 lbs.
Offense: QB
Carter plans to attend Alfred State to play football and study Finance. He lists his honors as All-State Quarterback his junior and senior year, MVP Sophomore and Senior Year, First Team QB his Junior and Senior Year, MVP his Sophomore Year I Baseball, and All WNY Baseball his Junior Year. He wants to play in the Big 30 game because of a great experience, his last high school game, to play with fellow competitors, and represent his school. Carter’s best memory while playing football was throwing the game winning touchdown with 1 second left to beat Randolph. His hobbies are weightlifting, hanging out with friends and working with the Youth Football League. His favorite football team is the Washington Commanders, and his favorite player is Jayden Daniels.
Calvin Salisbury
Southwestern Central School
Height: 6’1” – Weight: 300 lbs.
Offense: T/G/C – Defense: DT
Calvin’s future plans are to play football at SUNY Brockport and major in Accounting. He lists his honors as 1st Team League, 1 st Team CCAA Post Journal All- Star, Character Athlete Award, National Honor Society, and Trench Trophy Nominee. Calvin wants to play in the Big 30 game so he can play with some of his friends one last time before going to college. His best memory while playing football was just being able to play this year and having a full recovery after his surgery. Calvin’s hobbies are lifting, fishing, golfing, and just hanging out with his friends. His favorite football team is the San Francisco 49ers, and his favorite player is Jason Kelce.
Gavin Kilpeck
Ridgway High School
Height: 5’10” – Weight: 170 lbs.
Offense: TE – Defense: OLB
Gavin’s future plans are to attend Slippery Rock University for Special Education and Early Childhood Development. He lists his honors as National Honor Society, Joe Bizzaro 12th Man Award, Scholar Athlete, and Wrestling Award. Gavin wants to play in the Big 30 game to be able to show up one last time on the field, and to meet new people. Gavin’s best memory while playing football was Senior Night Homecoming his junior year. He lists his hobbies as Paraprofessional, COA Student, music/concerts, sports, riding dirt bikes, outdoor activities – hunting, and fishing. Gavin’s favorite football team is Ohio State University, and his favorite player is Josh Allen.
Julian Kaple
Port Allegany High School
Height: 5’7″ – Weight: 140 lbs.
Offense: RB -Defense: OLB
Julian plans to pursue a career in oil and gas. He lists his honors as Team Leader in Tackles and making it to the Big 30. Julian wants to play in the Big 30 game because he loves football and the impact his coaches and teammates have had on him. Because of this he wants to continue to play football and make them proud. Julian’s best memory while playing football was practice on the Penn State football field for their State Championship game. He lists his hobbies as dirt biking, off-roading, basketball, football, hunting, fishing, hiking, and exploring. Julian’s favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his favorite football player is Antonio Brown.
Brayden Babcock
Port Allegany High School
Height: 6’0” – Weight: 260 lbs.
Offense: T/C/G – Defense: DT
Brayden plans to attend Alfred State College to pursue a degree in welding. He has also committed to playing football for Alfred State. He lists his honors as Honor Roll Student, Frank Varischetti All-Star, 4-time District Finalist and 3-time 09 Champions, 2024-2025 State Runner-up, and 2026 NTL Basketball Champ. He wants to play in the Big 30 game because it is an incredible opportunity to represent his school and community one more time while competing with some of the best players in the area. Brayden says it also means a lot to him to be a part of a game that supports such a great cause. He is truly honored to play in this game. Brayden’s best memory while playing football was making it to the State Final game. He lists his hobbies as football, lifting, hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.
Frankie Smith
Elk County Catholic High School
Height: 5’8″ – Weight: 175 lbs.
Offense: WR – Defense: S
Frankie’s future plan after graduation is to enlist in the United States Military. He wants to play in the Big 30 game because it has been a strong tradition in his area. His hobbies are playing sports, hunting, and fishing. Frankie’s favorite football team is the Pittsburgh Steelers and his favorite player is Saquon Barkley.
Landon Cook
St. Marys Area High School
Height: 5’8″ – Weight: 205 lbs.
Offense: RB – Defense: LB
Landon’s future plans are to go to college to learn HVC, sports medicine, and to be an athlete. He wants to play in the Big 30 game because he wants to show everyone he can be a threat on their team, and he just loves to hit people hard. Landon’s best memory while playing football was playing in the D9 Championship when he was a freshman, which was one of his best games. His hobbies include anything that he can do with his hands. His favorite football team is Ohio State and his favorite player is Ray Lewis.
