5 players to watch in Friday night’s Foothills Classic

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, June 14, 2018 | 1:21 PM

The WCCA Foothills Classic is set for 7 p.m. Friday night at Hempfield's Spartan Stadium.

Here are five players to watch in the Westmoreland County football all-star game.

Robert Kennedy, Jeannette (Blue team, No. 3)

Many felt the co-Class A state player of the year was under-recruited last season. That said, the multi-purpose back, who always seems eager to prove himself, continues to play with a chip on his shoulder. The Foothills will give him another stage in which to perform as he plays for his high school coach, Roy Hall, on the Blue Team. “Poogie” could line up at quarterback, running back and receiver like he did for WPIAL and PIAA champion Jeannette.

The Lackawanna College commit last year threw for 1,462 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 1,356 yards 22 touchdowns. He had 12 interceptions on defense.

Scott Houseman, Yough (Blue team, No. 73)

You can't miss “Big House,” the 6-foot-5, 310-pound lineman with long blond hair and a reach to match, who will line up for the Blue squad. Houseman, who will join Kennedy at Lackawanna, had some Division II interest. He could help open running lanes for players like Tevin Thrift, a shifty tailback from Norwin. Houseman could line up alongside former Yough teammate Levi Heltebran, a Malone commit.

Bryce Lauer, Franklin Regional (Blue team, No. 50)

Like Kennedy, Lauer will play in his second all-star game in a month. He played in the East-West game in Altoona. The run-stopping linebacker, who also may have flown under the radar of some larger schools, will play one last game with his coach, Greg Botta, an assistant for the Blue. Lauer, a Towson recruit, set Franklin Regional records for tackles in a career (368) and season (161). Defense takes a backseat in all-star games because of modified rules — nobody should get hurt — but Lauer (6-3/245) could provide turnover-inducing pressure from the outside.

Ethan Slike, Greensburg Central Catholic (Red team, No. 38)

One of the state's more unheralded kicker/punter combos, Slike earned himself a spot at Akron after an impressive prep career at GCC. The strong-legged Slike connected on 6 of 6 field goals, including a 39-yarder, and made all 18 of his extra-point tries. All-star games aren't usually known for kickers, but the Foothills has some good ones. The Blue side has Franklin Regional's Dom DiFalco and Tre Cunningham from Jeannette. Cunningham, one of the more versatile athletes to come out of his school, is a wide receiver.

Justin Sliwoski, Hempfield (Red team, No. 11)

Another player who still feels he has something to prove, Sliwoski (6-2, 195) had his senior season cut a few games short because of a shoulder injury but still threw for 1,668 yards and 19 touchdowns. Sliwoski, who plays with a quiet confidence and veteran poise in the pocket, turned down some low Division I offers to walk on at Pitt. He instantly gives the Red team a deep threat downfield. Watch for Latrobe's Iven Ettiene and Kiski Area's Ross Greece to be possible downfield targets.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.