McConkey to play in Shrine Bowl

It’s been since 2018 that Newcastle has had a football player named to the North roster for the Shrine Bowl, but the drought is over as senior Dogie running back/quarterback Holden McConkey got the call a few months ago to be a member of the best-of-the-best football team this summer.
The 50th annual Wyoming Shrine Bowl All-Star Football game will be played at the Harry Geldien Stadium at Kelly Walsh High School in Casper on June 10th.
Big Horn head coach Kirk McLaughlin and his staff chose their roster from players in the northern part of the state using not only All-Conference and All-State lists, but also from their own experience with players.
“When you play a team, you see the playmakers and I know that Holden stuck out in McLaughlin’s mind,” declared Dogie head coach Matt Conzelman. “We went down and watched the championship game, and he asked me if I brought Holden with me. He wanted to put him in a Big Horn uniform so I know that he liked him as a player.”
McConkey believes that the coach is interested in having him play in the running back position, one that he played for three of his four years at NHS. However, he transitioned to the role of quarterback in 2022 due to the position being open. 
“When coach McLaughlin called, he talked to me about where I’d play and he was thinking more running back,” McConkey began. “But I’m also with Colson Coon from Sheridan who is a two-time Gatorade player of the year award winner, who is also a running back/quarterback, so I may be going back and forth.”
McConkey is not a surprise choice for the North team given he is a two-time All-Conference and one-time All-State selection and as a player he is quick, slippery and moves very well with the ball. 
There’s more than just a game in store for the athletes selected to play in the Shrine Bowl however. McConkey and crew will spend a week prior to the contest practicing, but they will also be involved in PR activities which includes a visit to the Shriners Children Hospital in Salt Lake City where players will visit with the children there signing autographs and just spending time with them.
“All the guys that I’ve talked to after they’ve gone say that they enjoy all of it and love to go to the Shriners Hospital and talk to the kids and sign autographs,” Conzelman stated. “It’s also great for them to get to meet and get to know the other kids and then play with the best of the best so I’m pretty happy that Holden will get to experience all of that.” 
McConkey stated that he is excited for the opportunity, and also that he would consider the option of playing at the post-secondary level if the chance presents itself.
“I have been undecided really about playing college football, and I didn’t really start thinking about it until my senior year,” he admitted. “I don’t know where I want to go, but I’m leaning toward UW because I have qualified for several scholarships there, and with so many UW players in the transfer portal, who knows.”
College scouts do attend the Shrine Bowl where the best players in the state are gathered and competing, so if not UW, perhaps another school will see all that McConkey could bring to their team.
“As good as he is on the football field, his character matches that 100% so it’s pretty awesome for him,” Conzelman nodded. “College scouts will be on hand. I don’t know if he’s made any decisions on if he’s going to play next year, but I think any team would be crazy not to want him on their roster.”