Six Players Chosen for Big 30 Game

Six players have been chosen for the 38th annual “Big 30 Don Raabe Charities Classic football game that is scheduled for Saturday, August 6, 2011 at Parkway Field in Bradford.

You can also hear the game on 1490 WESB, 100.1 The HERO and at WESB.com.

The first 37 games have produced nearly 1.4 million dollars which have been given to numerous charities and personal causes throughout the Twin Tiers.

The players chosen are:

John Mistretta
Running Back
Southwestern Central School
Height: 5’ 7” Weight: 185 lbs.

John was named First Team All League and First Team All State for the 2010 Season and was named Co-M.V.P. in the sectional championship game, as well as, Offensive M.V.P. in the 2008 State Championship Game. Southwestern won two State titles during John’s playing career and he lists those as his greatest thrills on the gridiron. His future plan is to continue his education at a four year college and become a physical education teacher. John is a fan of the Oakland Raiders and lists his favorite player as Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens. He is excited at being invited to play in the Big 30 Classic, “…to showcase his talent and hopefully be invited to play at a good school where I can improve my skills”.

Jordan Spehar
Offensive Guard/Middle linebacker
Portville Central School
Height: 6’ 2” Weight: 215 lbs.

Jordan has been a member of the National Honor Society for 2010 and 2011. He was named to the Olean Times Herald Big 30 All Star team in 2009 and was the 2009 Section 6, Class D East Defensive Player of The Year. He was a Section 6, Class D First Team All Star in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 an Named to the Second Team All State in 2010. Jordan plans to study Physical Therapy at Daemen University. His hobbies are hunting, fishing, trapping and spending time with his family. His best football memories are playing side by side with his older brother Jeremy. The Pittsburgh Steelers are his favorite team and Ray Lewis of The Baltimore Ravens is his favorite player. Jordan says that he set as a goal playing in the Raabe Classic back when he was playing Pee Wee Football. Even then he felt what an honor it was to wear the blue jersey of the New York All Stars.

Dylan Anna
Offensive Guard/Defensive Tackle
Pioneer Central School
Height: 6’1: Weight: 240

During his high school football career Dylan has won the team’s “Trench Trophy” for outstanding line play, the Pioneer Team M.V.P., second team All Western New York and first team All State. He was named to the Olean Times Herald Big 30 Team in 2010. He plans to be a pre-dental major at a four year collage and play football. He feels very strongly that he wants to make his parents and family proud of his accomplishments. Dylan is a Buffalo Bills fan and lists Troy Polamalu as his favorite player. His biggest thrill on the field comes with blind-siding a quarterback on a third down play. Winning the “Trench Trophy” was his proudest achievement. His Hobbies include motocross, trapshooting, coon hunting and snowmobiling. He is excited for the opportunity to play in the Raabe Classic to have one more game with his teammates and a chance to beat Pennsylvania.


Aaron Niemeyer
Offensive Tackle/Nose Guard
Youngsville High School
Height 6’4” Weight 260 lbs.

Aaron received the United States Achievement Academy National Athletic Award and Who’s Who in Leadership and Service Award. He also received Youngsville’s Iron Eagle Award for weightlifting and the Chester C. Award for wrestling. Aaron missed his last two regular season games and is really hoping to make up for them with this opportunity, a chance to “…get down and dirty with some top notch athletes!” Highlights of his high school games were getting that key block that springs your running back for the game winning score and sacking the quarterback on third down. Aaron’s hobbies are football, wrestling, cooking, riding wheelers and hanging with friends. He is a fan of the Colts an Peyton Manning. He will attend I.U.P. and study Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management


Andrew Morrison
Tight End/Linebacker
Warren Area High School
Height: 6’2” Weight 200 lbs.

Andrew will study sports medicine at Mercyhurst College and play football for the Lakers. He earned a football and an Eagan Academic Scholarship to Mercyhurst. He is a member of the National Honor Society, an academic letter winner and a recipient of the Golden Dragon Academic Award. A four year letter winner in football and one of Warren’s co-captains he was the Region 6 first team tight end. Andrew was Warren’s defensive M.V.P., a recipient of the team “Hit-Man Award” and the “Iron Man Award” for 2 years. In baseball he was named Region 6 First Team designated hitter and was a three year letter winner. His most thrilling memories involved scoring four touchdowns in this year’s Homecoming Game and making the playoffs this year. A fan of the Steelers and Lamar Woodley he enjoys hanging with friends and his girl friend and playing any kind of pick-up sports.

Kyle Schneider
Full Back/Linebacker
St Marys Area High School
Height 6’0” Weight 200 lbs.

Kyle was a KSAC All Star and received the Dr. Black Memorial Award as the teams’2010 Most Valuable Defensive Player. When asked why he wants to play in the Don Raabe Big 30 Classic he said, “It’s an honor to be invited and a privilege to play in the Big 30 Game. His greatest thrill in football is intercepting a pass and taking it back for a touchdown. Kyle enjoys hunting, fishing and riding dirt bikes. At this time he is undecided regarding plans after graduation.