BELMONT — Union Local Middle and High School students topped off a special spirit week with a pep rally Friday to cheer for 2015 graduate Colton McKivitz of the San Francisco 49ers, who is on his way to the Super Bowl this Sunday.

Each day had a different theme related to football, McKivitz and the big game, from a referee-themed Tuesday to a Halftime Show theme later in the week. Many staff and students wore T-shirts made for the occasion Friday.

The rally featured a portion of a video with comments from staff and students as well as the three Union Local coaches who worked with McKivitz during his time playing as a Jet. Retired coach Bruce Stiles recorded some comments.

“Congratulations on what you’ve accomplished so far, and so many things you’re going to accomplish in the future. We’re very, very proud of you. Good luck,” he said.

Union Local Treasurer and head football coach Bernie Thompson and family also wished McKivitz well, as did former head football coach Mark Cisar.

The full video can be seen on the Union Local School District website, ulschools.com, and Facebook page.

Carson Phillips, an 18-year-old senior from Morristown, did the behind-the-scenes work putting the video together. He said the video will also be emailed to McKivitz.

“It has a bunch of student organizations — both of our basketball teams, the drama club, the swim team, the band, the cheerleaders. It has some of his former teachers, his former government teacher and probably his English teachers, and it has some community members as well,” Phillips said. “They are very, very proud of him and this accomplishment.

“He’s one of those small-town kids. He’s just a good kid and very deserving of this accomplishment,” Phillips said. “His work ethic is impeccable.

“I’m so excited for him. I think that we come from a very small, rural area and so I think kids stay here, they don’t get out very much. But to have a guy that plays for a team in California and that’s in the Super Bowl is so, so cool.”

Cary Schmitt, a full-time substitute teacher, addressed the students at the rally, saying that he had heard some students commenting, “What’s the big deal? This doesn’t affect me.” He spoke about the long odds against any graduating athlete not only being drafted into the NFL but making it to the active roster as a starting player in the Super Bowl.

“That’s something to be proud of. So we hang a picture of him out there, and his high school jersey,” he said. “We should do that. We should be proud of that. … The least we can do is spend a week celebrating that. The reason why we did this is it’s OK to be proud. It’s OK to show pride in this school, the people who went here, yourself, it’s very important to show pride in the past, future and most of all the present.”

Superintendent Zac Shutler called on the students to take McKivitz’s story as an inspiration to reach their own dreams.

“I think it matters because not all of us can be an NFL football player. Not all of us can play in the major leagues. Not all of us can be an actor and win an Oscar, but we all have dreams,” he said. “No matter where you go to school or where you’re from, I think Colton playing in the NFL and playing the Super Bowl shows if you want to be a doctor, an attorney, a veterinarian, a teacher, you have a path to do that. You have opportunities to do that. So when we say: ‘Why is it a big deal?’ For me it’s a big deal because it shows you can finish your story. You can decide what you want to be. You can create your path and you yourself, with the help of others, sets the tone for how far you want to go.”

The rally concluded with students tossing paper airplanes from the bleachers.

Union Local High School also will host a Super Bowl Watch Party. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, and a pep rally will be held at 6 p.m. A potluck-style meal will be offered, with all attendees urged to bring a covered dish.

Other watch parties are scheduled around the district, including at The Pike 40 restaurant near the campus at 41010 National Road, Belmont, just east of Morristown.

The Union Local Touchdown Club is hosting a watch party at Route 40 LumberJaxe at 41761 National Road, Belmont.

East Richland Friends Church is having a Super Bowl Party at 5:30 p.m. Sunday inside its Ickes Family Life Center. McKivitz attended East Richland Christian School prior to his time at Union Local. People are encouraged to “bring your family, a snack to share, and a chair/blanket to enjoy watching the game on the big screen.” The church is located at 67885 Friends Church Road, St. Clairsville.

The Centerville Senior Center/Smith Township Community Center will host a Super Bowl Party with doors opening at 3 p.m. Sunday. There is no fee to attend. A cornhole tournament will begin at 4 p.m. with teams asked to sign up in the comment section of the announcement post on the Centerville/Jacobsburg Area Community Page on Facebook.

Other activities include: Euchre, a 50/50 drawing, Super Bowl square boards and children’s activities. Any proceeds will go to the community center and a charity of McKivitz’s choice.

People are encouraged to bring a covered dish, snack, dip or dessert to share. Everyone should bring their own non-alcoholic beverages as well.

The game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and features Usher as the halftime performer. It will be aired on CBS, Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.