Arena Football League standout Beau Elliott, a Highlands graduate, said he plans to explore free agency this offseason and is intrigued about the possibility of playing for the Pittsburgh Power, who will join the league in 2011.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Elliott recently completed his second season with the Chicago Rush and was named to the AFL's All-Arena second team at center.

The Power, whose ownership group includes NFL Hall of Famer and former Steelers great Lynn Swann, will play home games at the new Consol Energy Center.

"To get in front of family and friends and perform for a pro team in your hometown, that's every athlete's dream," said Elliott, 27, about the possibility of playing for the Power. "If I came to Pittsburgh, I'll do everything to embrace it. (Chicago) played in Cleveland this year, and I had about 30 people come out for that game."

Elliott said he also would look hard at Chicago and the Philadelphia, which will rejoin the AFL in 2011, among other teams.

For Chicago (10-7), Elliott anchored the offensive line and started 14 of 17 games this past season. He made the AFL's All-Rookie team in 2008 but had to sit out a year when the league's 2009 season was canceled because of financial problems.

Elliott coaches Highlands ninth-grade football team and works as a personal trainer during the offseason.

Playing for Pride

The Pittsburgh Pride adult amateur football team, which features several local graduates, will start the United States Football Alliance playoffs by hosting the Cleveland Saints at 4:30 p.m. today at Valley Memorial Stadium.

The Pride (10-0) are seeded No. 1 in the Southern Conference and already have defeated No. 4 Cleveland (5-4-1) twice this season.

The conference finals are set for Sept. 11, and the USFA championship game is scheduled for Sept. 18.

The Pride are seeking their first league title.

Kiski Area banquet

The Kiski Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be 5 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Clarion Hotel in New Kensington.

This year's inductees are Dennis Booker, Linda Keibler Guercio, Robin Kukalis Klimke, Carolyn Lekavich, Anthony Recchia, Dennis Stone, Don Tarosky, Jesse Taylor, Christine Skwirut Wall and Richard White. Also, the 1971 Kiski Area football team that won the WPIAL Class AAA title will be recognized.

Longtime Valley News Dispatch correspondent George Guido will sign copies of his book, "Alle-Kiski Valley Sports History," starting at 5 p.m.

Big fish

Kevin Overly Jr., a 13-year-old Upper Burrell resident, finished third at the Pennsylvania Bass Federation State Tournament in Erie.

Overly competed in the Junior Division (age 12-14) and caught two bass that were eligible for scoring. Competitors could only score with bass that were at least 15 inches in length.

Overly caught one that was 15 inches and weighed 1.8 pounds, and the fish that helped him finish in third place was 2.4 pounds.

Additional Information:

Hearing set for Wilson

The WPIAL will have a hearing at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday to determine the eligibility of junior Noel Wilson, who transferred from Valley back to Fox Chapel, where he played quarterback last season.

Wilson was living with his father in New Kensington but likely is going to move in with his mother in the Fox Chapel School District.

Wilson left Valley a few weeks ago. He has been practicing with Fox Chapel, but has been playing running back and wide receiver instead of quarterback.

• Bill Beckner Jr.

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