By Eddie Dwyer
Ohio City - Connor Kennedy '18, whose exceptional athletic skills have seen him excel in both football and track and field, was selected by Saint Ignatius' Hall of Fame Head Football and Track and Field Coach Chuck Kyle '69, along with his football staff, as one of the four seniors who will lead the 2017 Wildcats on the gridiron this summer and fall.
Connor joins classmates Jack Jamieson, Justin Sands and Mark Bobinski, who were voted as Captains by their teammates at the end of the 2016 season. Jack is a standout two-way lineman, Justin is a gifted ball-hawking safety and Mark is one of the premier running backs in Northeast Ohio.
"It's a tremendous honor," said Connor, who shared with this corner last week that he will be furthering his education and football career at Holy Cross. "Growing up and having my dad (Pat '88) and my uncle (Tim '90) play football through here, I've known what the tradition is.
"I'm pumped," Connor continued. "Just to have such a big role in such a big program with such a great tradition, it's very humbling."
Connor, a two-year mainstay as both a wide receiver and a defensive back, will also play a major role on special teams . He teams with his brother, Jack, who is a promising junior running back/defensive back.
"This will be Jack Jamieson's third year as a Captain," Connor said. "He was a Captain for the Freshmen and the Junior Varsity. He's someone I really look up to. Jack is just a natural leader. Mark (Bobinski) and Justin (Sands) are great leaders by example."
FROM COACH KYLE: "Connor has certainly displayed his athletic ability to everyone," Coach Kyle said of a young man who was a member of the Wildcats' 2016 Division I State Champion Track and Field Team and a key performer on this past spring's track and field team, which finished among the top ten big-school programs in Ohio.
"He's performed at the highest level you can in both sports," Coach Kyle continued. "You just look at his work on the football field. He's a two-way player who is going to get 60 to 70 snaps a game. But he's also a very good punt returner.
"As you see him out at practice, he's a great leader. I hope the young kids see this guy when he finishes up at offense, takes a drink of water, changes into another jersey and is right back out there lined up on defense.
"Connor will do a great job and the nice thing is that he is leading on offense, defense and special teams. He truly covers all of the team aspects."
FROM WIDE RECEIVERS COACH JACK HYLAND '14: "When I was named Wide Receivers Coach (this season) I tried to come to every weight-lifting session, just to get to know the players. There would be Connor at 6 AM in the morning working to become a better football player.
"Actions speak louder than words."