Already signed to play at Division II Edinboro University, Kane High School’s Davis Gardner headlines the list of six additions to the Big 30 Charities Classic game on Aug. 5.
On the Pennsylvania side of the additions, Gardner is joined by Sheffield lineman-linebacker Mason Albaugh and Cameron County lineman Wyatt Geist.
Gardner, a wide receiver and defensive back, was one of the main playmakers for a Wolves team that won its third straight District 9 championship and advanced to the second round of the PIAA Class AA playoffs. He was recognized as all-state by the Pa. football writers, Pennsylvania Football News and westernpafootball.net.
Gardner signed a National Letter of Intent with Edinboro to continue his career for the Fighting Scots while also studying criminal justice. Playing in the Big 30 game is realizing a lifelong goal.
“I want to create a new brotherhood with new teammates and beat New York,” Gardner said.
A fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Odell Beckham Jr., Gardner’s most memorable football moment was beating Chestnut Ridge in the state playoffs.
Albaugh, the Wolverine’s leading tackler, “is honored to play in the Big 30 game and it will be a unique experience that not everyone gets the chance to experience.”
Albaugh’s most memorable moment playing football was winning his final game during his senior year. His future plans include attending trade school for welding.
Geist is a three-time AML all-star and won the Thomas Malizia “54” football award at Cameron County. For Geist, his most memorable moments playing for the Red Raiders include “runing out onto the field while the band was playing, listening to the National Anthem and hitting people in games.”
A fan of the Green Bay Packers and their offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga, Geist plans to enter the workforce after graduation.
Headlining the New York roster additions are Randolph’s Marshall Johnson, Salamanca’s Xander Edstrom and Gowanda’s Ethan Francis.
Johnson, a 6-foot-3 lineman, was named the Post-Journal player of the week and was a member of the 2014 Randolph High state championship team, which was his most memorable moment.
Playing in the Big 30 game “gives him one last shot to play before going to college,” Johnson said. Marshall, who plans to attend Jamestown Community College for two years and then complete his electrician work at Alfred State, lists the Buffalo Bills and Jim Kelly among his favorite teams and athletes.
Edstrom was named offensive player of the year, a Section VI Class C South first-teamer and the character athlete of the game from his running back/quarterback-linebacker positions.
“It a great honor to be selected to play in the Big 30 game because of the charity work the committee does to help the local areas,” Edstrom said, noting he’s also very happy to play one more game before he starts his college bowling career.
A future athletic trainer, Edstrom’s most memorable gridiron moment was when he scored three touchdowns and threw for another in Salamanca’s win over Eden.
Finally, Francis, a 6-foot receiver and defensive end, is a high honor student and a Class C all-star selection. Francis says he’s honored to play in the Big 30 game and just loves to play football.
His future plans include attending JCC. His most memorable moment was winning Gowanda’s first playoff game in 15 years.
