(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth of a four-part series on the units that will participate in Saturday night’s 44th annual Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic football game in Bradford. Today, the New York defense)

By J.P. BUTLER

Special to The Era

In a way, it’s the Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic that Sean Gabel never had.

In 1993, at a time when players could only appear in a single all-star game, Gabel was chosen to play in the North-South Kensington Lions Club All-Star Football Classic, eliminating him from Big 30 consideration.

Twenty-four years later, he’s finally a part of the event – as the head coach and defensive coordinator for the New York all-stars. And he’s had a smile on his face virtually throughout.

“My older brother Lonnie played when he was a senior,” Gabel, a Gowanda graduate and the program’s current head coach, noted. “Two of my teammates got to play in the Big 30 game. They got to play and I got to watch. That’s how it worked out.

“So this is kind of my Big 30 game, my all-star game, which is exciting for me, too.”

Gabel understands that with a mandated 4-3 defense, “you’re pretty much handcuffed to how much you can do.” As a result, his philosophy for the game’s 44th renewal Saturday at Bradford’s Parkway Field is straightforward: Keep your edges, keep the runner between the tackles and allow the inside guys to “seal the deal.”

“We try to keep it as simple as possible,” he said, “and I think that’s been working out for us so far.”

Though his options may be limited, he does possess one undeniable strength: His linebackers.

Southwestern’s Wyatt Perry was a Class C first team all-state selection after accounting for 101 tackles, including 23 for loss, while earning WNY Class C Defensive Player of the Year honors. Bolivar-Richburg’s Jacob Smith was also a first team all-state selection at that position (in Class D), and Allegany-Limestone’s Marcus Grove was one of the best overall players in the Big 30.

Behind those three, NY’s defense is coming together, Gabel noted. He’s almost had to tone down the aggressiveness at practice.

“That would be the only thing that I’ve had a problem with is holding back those reins a little bit,” he said. “They love to come down hill, they love to hit. So that’s one thing we’ve been working on the last couple of practices is reading a little bit better and just holding back and letting the play develop.

“They’re all playmakers, they’re all the best athletes at their school, and have had to make a lot of tackles. But now, you’ve got everyone together, and you’ve got to play together as a unit, you’ve got to trust the guys next to you even a little more because they’re all-Western New Yorks and all-league players, too.”

In some years, coaches stack up their offenses with their best overall players and allow the defense to do what it will. The first Gowanda coach in the game’s 44-year history, Gabel head from a couple of people to do just that.

He said that was never an issue with this New York team. The offense has talent, namely in Gowanda’s Kameron Alexander and Pioneer’s Jason Gauthier, but the defense has just as many of the roster’s top players.

“We had a few conversations about it, but that’s half the fun,” Gabel said. “It’s like a fantasy draft without watching the games. I’ve just got to pick and choose what you want, what systems to work with …”

New York’s strength may work to its advantage. From what Gabel gathers, Pennsylvania, too, has a stable of talented running backs. And so, the goal for Saturday: Stop the run.

“That’s our biggest focus. Don’t let them get started,” he said. “They’re going to get plays. They’re great athletes, they’ve got great coaches. We’ve just got to bounce back from those plays. We can’t let that take the wind out of our sails.”

Gabel has 21 players listed on defense. Also at linebacker are Pioneer’s Rowland Marsh, Portville’s Matthew Waugh and Randolph’s Dylan Williams. The down lineman are Thayuni Marks (Allegany-Limestone), Charlie Valone (Gowanda), Alexx Quattrone (Portville) and Chris Johnson (Southwestern).

At defensive end are Ethan Francis (Gowanda), Marcus Jones (Gowanda), Nate Bradley (Olean) and Darius Williams (Olean). The defensive backs are Dustin Howard (Bolivar-Richburg), T.J. Southwick (Cattaraugus-LV), Drew Stevens (Cattaraugus-LV), Donovan Gayton (Portville), Derek McClure (Salamanca), Carter Hoffman (Wellsville), a Class D all-state honorable mention as a safety, and Seth Reeder (Wellsville).