School to celebrate 2013 graduate's selection to Pro Bowl

McDowell students may dress up Friday to honor one of the school's most high-profile alumni.

The school announced that it will hold a "James Conner Day" to recognize the 2013 graduate's selection to the NFL's Pro Bowl. McDowell students are encouraged to wear any clothing that relates to Conner, whether from his days with McDowell, the University of Pittsburgh or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Pro Bowl will be played Sunday at 3 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The game will be televised on ESPN and ABC.

Conner, a second-year player with the Steelers, was selected as the AFC's starter at running back. He starred this season in the absence of holdout Le'Veon Bell. Conner led the Steelers with 973 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns.

He rushed for 1,680 yards and 21 TDs as a senior at McDowell in 2012 before starring for Pitt.

BASKETBALL

• The McDowell boys basketball team will play its third straight region game on the road Friday as the Trojans head to Hermitage to take on powerhouse Kennedy Catholic.

McDowell and Kennedy Catholic are tied for first place in Region 7 at 3-0. The Trojans defeated rival Cathedral Prep 45-44 before beating Meadville in overtime on the road before winning 78-70 at Erie High on Tuesday.

Kennedy Catholic has won its three region games by an average margin of victory of 29.3 points per game. The Golden Eagles feature West Virginia recruit Oscar Tshiebwe, who was named a McDonald's All-American on Thursday. He is the second McDonald's All-American in District 10 history, joining Villa Maria graduate Kayla McBride.

FOOTBALL

• Cathedral Prep running back Billy Lucas and Farrell quarterback/linebacker Kyi Wright are finalists for the Mr. PA Football awards.

Lucas, the state's Class 4A Player of the Year, is one of 10 finalists for the Class 4A-6A award. Wright, the Class 1A Player of the Year, is a finalist for the 1A-3A award.

Both players led their teams to state titles in 2018.

Fans can vote at mrpafootball.com/.