LOCAL PUP CENTAUR WILL COMPETE AT THIS YEAR’S PUPPY BOWL. | PHOTO COURTESY OF ANIMAL FRIENDS

A hungry young Pittsburgher is on his way to the big game.

No, not the one in New Orleans — we’re talking about the Puppy Bowl.

Centaur, a mixed-breed dog recently adopted from Animal Friends, will suit up for Team Fluff in Puppy Bowl XXI. The loosely officiated game — which will see Centaur and Team Fluff take on their rivals, Team Ruff — serves both as a canine competition and a “call-to-adoption” awareness event highlighting shelters and services that find homes for pets in need.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANIMAL FRIENDS

Centaur arrived at Animal Friends with three littermates, Phoenix, Griffin and Kraken, all of whom were born as strays. An anonymous helper fostered the pups until they could be brought to Animal Friends. Centaur has since been adopted; in a statement, his new family said, “He filled a space we didn’t know existed. We love him tremendously and we know he loves us, too! We can’t wait to see him in the Puppy Bowl!”

The game will air at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, on Animal Planet — hours before a certain less adorable game will kick off — and be preceded by a one-hour kickoff show (for the first time featuring a “Puppy Combine”). The rosters will feature 142 dogs representing 80 shelters and rescues; while Centaur has already found his forever home, viewers can check puppybowl.com during the broadcast to discover which athletes are still available for adoption.

So what’s Centaur like? Animal Friends staff said in a statement, “He was a bit more laid back than his littermates. Although he enjoyed playing with toys, he would rather cuddle on your lap!”

Whether that affectionate nature will be a help or a drawback on the field of competition remains to be seen.

Animal Friends, located at 562 Camp Horne Road in Ohio Township, has dogs, cats and rabbits available for adoption now. For more information, visit: thinkingoutsidethecage.org.