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10/24/2024 12:00 AMKenny Carter’s athletic career has seen many twists and turns. Yet through it all, he remained true to his first and true love, and he has used his athleticism and intensity to pin down his adversaries on multiple terrains throughout the fall and winter.
The Hand senior started out his journey with sports by simply throwing the pigskin and the rock in the backyard, practicing football and basketball. For a good length of time, Kenny stuck to the court, though the family, which is the Hand football program, drew him back to the sidelines. Now, after leading the 2023 state championship Tigers’ team in tackles, the captain is back for another campaign and has aided in Hand’s 5-0 start as an outside linebacker and running back.
“I heard about the brotherhood at Hand, and it is really strong. Everyone here is so friendly, and it is a great atmosphere. We all have built relationships away from football, and we motivate each other,” says Kenny. “My teammates have been such a huge motivator for me. I have also put in the time in the weight room with lifting and changed my diet. I also think my offseason workouts have helped my athletic performance.”
Kenny also decided to move away from basketball to take on the sport of wrestling during his winters. He has discovered that one hand has helped wash the other essentially in terms of his skill set. Grappling helps him to take down his opponents on the turf and mat, while football helps him excel in his evasiveness.
“Wrestling was big for me; it taught me how to be physical and really use my body,” says Kenny. “Wrestling also helped me with my hip strength, which helped me in my tackling. On the other side of it, football helped me be better on my feet and become more agile for wrestling.”
Being part of the linebacking corps, Kenny does not care about the tale of the tap going into a one-on-one collision because he fights back with every ounce of his might. Being in the heart of the action, he gets plenty of reps to lay the lumber against all sorts of skill position players.
“It can be tough taking on a 250-pound pulling guard and holding your ground. These guys are 100 pounds more than me, but I make it happen and try my hardest,” Kenny says. “One thing I like about playing at linebacker is the chance to make almost every tackle because at that part of the field, the ball is always around you.”
No matter what card he is dealt on the gridiron, Kenny does not worry about why it happened or what could occur. He stays present, in the moment, and simply keeps grinding forward.
“Our coaches always tell us to be where your feet are. You cannot control the past or the future,” says Kenny. “Coach Erik Becker always tells us to be right on the next play. One play or one mistake does not determine your whole season or life. I just keep telling myself that when I make any errors out there.”
Kenny hopes to continue to get quicker on his feet when it comes to making the right plays on the field. Still, over the last few years, his ability to put the quarterback under pressure and hurry a throw has certainly seen an enhancement.
“I think I have improved more when it comes to rushing to the quarterback. I have also gotten better with using my hips to get to the outside, and it has helped my pass rushing,” says Kenny. “I think I need to get better with my pass drops and getting where I need to be faster.”
Being a senior officer of the team, Kenny has the presence of mind to know the impact he can have on the underclassmen. He always makes it a point to connect with each teammate while making sure they are in good spirits.
“Being a leader on this team has been great,” Kenny says. “I love building relationships with the younger guys, and teaching them is great. I just want to make sure they are doing the right things on and off the field. I also greet them daily and check on them to make sure they are feeling okay.”
Hand football Head Coach Erik Becker notes that Kenny displays all the qualities and characteristics a coach envisions in a perfect world when it comes to a team leader.
“Kenny Carter is a leader and a role model in the community, in the classroom, and on the football field,” says Becker. “He is a high-character kid, an outstanding student, and one of the best football players in Connecticut. He is our captain. He is the heart and soul of our team. I could not be more proud of Kenny Carter.”
Kenny was recently sidelined with a collarbone injury, though he is stopping at nothing to make sure this is not his final downplayed with the Tigers. While he wants to get back to the postseason and lead his boys to a repeat, he knows nothing will simply be handed to them.
“I recently got hurt with an injury, so my goal right now is to get back to playing before the playoffs. I want to make sure I play a few more games with my brothers,” says Kenny. “For the team, we just want to put in the work every day. We want to stack the wins and keep that motivation around the group going. And we, of course, we definitely want to win states again.”