Kenney stands tall

It's been said many times before. It's not the size of the dog in the fight that's important, but rather the size of the fight in the dog.

Siloam Springs senior offensive lineman Sean Kenney has taken that message to heart.

Kenney -- who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 218 pounds -- knows he is considered undersized for an offensive lineman. So how does he go up against opponents who are bigger, stronger and faster than he is?

"I have to play with a chip on my shoulder," Kenney said. "The defensive linemen are big in the conference we're in. They're faster than me. That means I have to make up for it. I have to play quicker, play harder. I can't give up on any plays or else I'll get embarrassed. I basically have to go 100 percent on every play.

"My dad told me since you're smaller than most people you need to have more bite. I kind of adopted that role and started playing with more intensity. I started playing more angry. I know that I just can't go up there and pancake someone. I'll just get blown off the ball."

Good thing for the Panthers that Kenney doesn't lack for energy.

"Sean is easily the most excitable kid on the football team -- absolute energy," said Panthers offensive line coach Jonathan Johnson. "It's just a matter of this year he's starting to get that energy focused in on playing the game."

Kenney is projected to be the Panthers starting right tackle after seeing extensive playing time on the offensive line as a junior.

"That's pretty much been his location for the last three years," Johnson said. "He does a good job. He's a real cerebral player, knows where he's supposed to be and what he's supposed to do. He's starting to learn all the little nuances of technique to make himself better."

In the offseason, the coaches challenged Kenney to trim up his physical condition.

Kenney said his sister Meghan -- a former high school and college volleyball standout -- began preparing grilled chicken and vegetables for him. He said he also cut fast food and soft drinks out of his diet in an effort to eat healthier.

"I took that seriously," Kenney said.

He also began working out with the track team.

The result: He went from weighing 240 pounds to his current 218.

"He's slimmed down," Johnson said. "As a big guy he doesn't fear running at all anymore. He doesn't fear conditioning. He looks forward to that. I'm really proud of the offseason he's had. He's starting to play with a more physical attitude. He's definitely one of our guys that we're looking forward to seeing improvement on and leading us on the field."

It didn't take long for Kenney's improvement to show up on the field.

On the first day of practice wearing pads last Wednesday, the offensive linemen held a "King of the Chute" drill.

"Sean Kenney won it," Johnson said. "He went four to five rounds in a row, drove every one of his opponents out from underneath the chute. I was real proud of him."

Kenney has also done a good job of providing leadership, Johnson said.

"He's leading great," Johnson said. "Not only is he telling other young guys what to do, but he understands he's got to do it himself. He understands the fact that if I'm going to say it, my butt better be doing it."

Kenney said he takes the leadership role seriously.

"The leadership role, when you're a junior you just let the seniors lead and you work with the sophomores and freshmen," Kenney said. "Now you're a senior. You guys are the big dogs and you basically have to lead everybody. You lead by example. You can't look for other guys to do it. You have to do it."

Siloam Springs head coach Bryan Ross said Kenney's energy and attitude rub off on other players.

"Sean is a great team member," Ross said. "A lot of times you'll get a guy who may be a great player but not a great team member. Sean is a guy who is going to go out there and do his best, is a positive influence and positive person. That goes a long way in the locker room. We want everybody to be a good team member and I think Sean's the epitome of that."

Sports on 08/13/2014