Alumni: Liberatore Chosen to Play in Charity Classic

Salamanca running back/linebacker Mike Liberatore has the opportunity to return to the gridiron Aug. 2 when the Don Raabe Charities Classic kicks off at Bradford, Pa.'s Interstate Parkway Field.

The annual event features Big 30 all-stars from New York going up against the stars from Pennsylvania.

Liberatore led the Warriors in tackles in the fall with 68, including 13 in the season-ending 12-6 victory against Allegany-Limestone. The 6-0, 230-pound senior missed some of the season due to injury, but ran for over 200 yards twice, 201 yards in a victory over Wilson and 236 yards in a win against Falconer. Liberatore scored three touchdowns in each game.

Among the honors accorded Liberatore in 2002 was a place on the Division VII All-Star First Team for defense. He has twice been chosen for the All-New York State Third Team as well as the Section 6 South defensive MVP and a two-time league all-star.

He said being named Class C MVP and playing in the state championship game in 1999 were his two biggest thrills from high school football.

Liberatore recovered from a January snowmobile accident to participate in track. He said has been cleared by a doctor to play in the Big 30 game, adding that the main issue is whether he'll be in good enough shape to play.

Ben Gilroy of Olean and Chase Sloat of Bolivar-Richburg were also chosen to play in the Aug. 2 game. Among the Pennsylvania players chosen were Nick Vandermark of Smethport, Jake Rulander of Eisenhower and Tom Schneider of Elk County Catholic.

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