Being a captain means setting an example for your teammates and pushing everyone around you to improve.

  For Senior Ryan Kenney, setting an example is an important part of his role as captain. “I lead by example in everything I do on the field,” Kenney said. He believes that by trying to be the best version of himself, he can encourage his teammates to do the same. 

Kenney also takes pride in keeping his teammates motivated and accountable during practices, walkthroughs, and games. His leadership will be especially important this season after the team lost most of its starters from last year.

Even with many new players stepping into bigger roles, Kenney is confident in what the team can accomplish. He believes the team has plenty of talented players who are ready for the opportunity.

 “We had so much depth last season that a lot of the backups from last year could have been varsity starters on a lot of other teams in the NVL,” Kenney said. He believes the new starters are ready to prove themselves and has “all the confidence in the world” that they can have a successful season.

Kenney has already made some special memories during his football career. One of his biggest memories came during his sophomore year when Woodland defeated Naugatuck in a rivalry game. The win was especially meaningful because the team had not beaten Naugatuck since 2015. Bringing the George Pinho Trophy back to Woodland made the victory even more memorable.

 Another favorite moment came when Kenney scored his first varsity touchdown against Derby. “It was such a great moment for me that I will never forget,” Kenney said. He scored on a 13-yard screen pass and remembers being extremely excited when he was in the end zone. 

Football is also important to Kenney because of his connection with his brother. His brother is his biggest inspiration and one of the main reasons he started playing football. Watching his brother play when he was younger inspired Kenney to eventually play himself. His brother also wore number. 9, which Kenney now wears as a way of carrying on his brother’s legacy. 

As he takes on a bigger leadership role this season, Kenney hopes to help his teammates stay motivated and confident. With new players ready to step up and a strong group of captains leading the way, Kenney is ready to make his own impact while continuing the legacy that inspired him to play the game.