Kankakee Valley head coach Kirk Kennedy believes the Kougars are on the verge of turning the corner after back-to-back 5-6 seasons.
“We’re certainly not happy with that,” Kennedy said. “But we’re getting more competitive and turning the corner as far as establishing our culture. It’s about work ethic, toughness and strength — things you have to develop off the field before you can expect any on the field success.”
Kennedy emphasized that senior leaders Max Duttlinger and Jaidyn Anderson embody the growth of the program. “These guys have played a lot of football for us,” Kennedy said. “I’d be very surprised if they’re not captains. That tells you their status in our program.”
With a challenging conference slate ahead, Kennedy said the Kougars need a strong start to build confidence. “We’re in a tough conference, we understand that,” he said. “But we also understand what it takes to compete and be successful. If we play with toughness, cut down on mistakes and hang in there until the fourth quarter, I like our chances.”
