The 19th Annual Ernie Davis Classic high school football game is set to kick off Wednesday, and the West team's roster is loaded with local talent.
There are 14 seniors from Tompkins County schools — Dryden leads the way with four — and eight more from schools in the outlying areas. The game is set for a 7 p.m. kick off at Ty Cobb Stadium in Endicott.
The Purple Lions completed one of their best seasons in school history, winning the Section 4 Division IV title and finishing with a 7-2 record.
Quarterback Cory Goodenough, wide receiver Pat Finnerty, linebacker Barry Welch and lineman C.J. Vanderbilt will get to strap it up one last time in their high school careers.
“I'm really excited for them to go,” said Dryden coach John Nicholas, who will be an assistant coach for the West offense. “I'm sad that they're leaving, because they were our core group of seniors. But I'm super excited they'll get the opportunity to see the level of play at this game and even in practice.”
Groton and Candor will each send three team members to the senior all-star game. Both won their respective divisions and Class D playoff games before eventual champ Walton knocked them out in successive weeks.
For Groton, running back Logan Randall, quarterback Pete Jackson and lineman Ben Zubal will play. Linebacker/fullback Cody Rose, and linemen Paul Jantz and Mick Thomas will suit up for Candor.
Trumansburg, Newfield and Lansing will each have two representatives. Ithaca will be sending defensive back Robbie Cornish.
In last year's game, former Little Red quarterback Alex Johnson (now at Cornell) threw two touchdown passes in West's 34-6 win.
Nicholas said this game also serves as a chance to teach things and work on certain techniques that there might not be time for during the regular season.
“No matter what kind of season you have, as coaches, you go there and the kids all really want to be there,” he said. “It's a fast-paced game and having 50 all-stars is really cool.”
