Kendall settling in at linebacker for Stephenville

Jackets host Granbury for Friday scrimmage

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Zoey Kendall, 80, makes a tackle against Big Spring in a 2014 Region I-4A semifinal at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. || TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

By BRAD KEITH

TheFlashToday.com NEWS & SPORTS – FREE & LOCAL

STEPHENVILLE (August 18, 2015) — Following his first scrimmage as a head coach, Greg Winder of Stephenville didn’t need more than an instant to think of a bright spot from his club’s battle with Liberty Hill last Saturday.

“I thought Zoey Kendall was all over the place and had an outstanding scrimmage,” said Winder. “He’s playing at linebacker now, so it was good to see him getting active and flying around the football. That’s what we need from him.”

Kendall has made the transition from safety to linebacker after playing wide receiver earlier in his high school career. At 6-3 and now 215 pounds, Kendall is capable of helping at many positions, but is settling in nicely at linebacker.


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“Two-a-days have been going great and everything is good so far,” said the senior. “Linebacker is a lot more physical position than what I’ve played before, but I like it. You better strap on your helmet and be ready to hit somebody, because it’s a battle every play.”

Kendall’s position change is part of an effort to improve a defense he says has a chip on it’s shoulder after last season.

“We’ve put in a lot of work this offseason. We lost three coaches on defense, but that didn’t stop us. Our new coaches are great, too, and we’ve all just pushed through, stepped up and become stronger as a team,” Kendall said. “We’re ready to show what we can do.”

Zoey Kendall || Courtesy Vasara Photography
Zoey Kendall || Courtesy Vasara Photography

They improved as the scrimmage went on against Liberty Hill Saturday, even celebrating a strong four-down stand in the red zone phase that ended the event.

Stephenville will be in full dress rehearsal mode when it hosts Granbury for a scrimmage this Friday at Tarleton Memorial Stadium, starting with junior varsity teams at 6 p.m. Admission is $1 with all proceeds benefiting the Texas High School Education Foundation benevolence fund.

Stephenville opens its 2015 season against Venice, Fla. on Friday, August 28, also at Memorial Stadium, and Kendall will be a big part of the plans for the “Wardog” defense.

“A guy like that who has the capability of making plays all over the field, you just have to put him in a good position to do that,” said Winder. “Zoey’s big and physical and I think he’ll have a great year playing linebacker.”

Which is exactly what Kendall is looking for as a senior.

“It’s my last year,” he said. “I’m just ready to give it all I’ve got.”

Wherever he plays.

Zoey Kendall || Courtesy Vasara Photography
Zoey Kendall || Courtesy Vasara Photography

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