Dublin, Ohio -- A linebacker for the Dublin Scioto High School football team was officially recognized for his selection to the Marine Corps Semper Fidelis All American Bowl Oct 24.
Nick Conner was presented by the Marines with an SFAAB hat, jersey and shirt in recognition of his achievement in a ceremony following the first quarter during the Dublin Scioto vs Hilliard Bradley game.
Conner, a 6-foot-3, 230 pounder, is ranked the fifth-best inside linebacker prospect and No.8 overall player in Ohio by 247sports.com. He has been an honor roll students for all four years of high school and spends his spare time volunteering with the Special Olympics. He is currently committed to playing college football for Ohio State University.
“This really means a lot to me,” said Conner. “The Semper Fi Bowl is a very All-American game, and most kids don’t get to experience playing in something like this. I look forward to playing full contact with some of the best kids in the nation.”
The Semper Fidelis Bowl is an annual football game hosted by the Marine Corps that involves approximately 90 high school student athletes who are chosen based on their athletic and scholastic achievements as well as their own personal character. Based on geographic region, players represent East Coast and West Coast teams and will compete at the bowl, which will be held in Carson, California, Jan. 4, 2015.
Coach Karl Johnson, who is the head coach for the football team, said Conner is a good fit to play in the Semper Fidelis Bowl.
“He is one of the best players I have coached in my twenty-eight years of coaching,” said Johnson. “He is a strong, fast, tough kid and a good competitor. He has managed to stay humble despite all the attention he has received, and he is willing to lay it all on the line each week for a chance to win.”
Sergeant Nikolas Cimmarrusti, the local Marine Corps recruiter for the Dublin, Ohio, area, presented Conner his jersey. Cimmarrusti agreed that the young linebacker was a good pick for the bowl.
“Nick is extremely humble and is a strong leader that leads by example,” said Cimmarrusti. “I firmly believe he will be a great addition to the Semper Fidelis Bowl.”