Luke threw for three touchdowns against Miamisburg. Luke scored 34 in the opener against Waynesville. Hey, did you hear Coach K was in town to recruit Luke to come to Duke?
No one who knows anything about Franklin responds to any of those statements by asking, “Luke who?”
He is one part Kennard and one part Coyner, the offspring of two parents whose families define the phrase, “Once A Wildcat, Always A Wildcat.” With his 4.3 grade point average and all his athletic achievement, he is progressively on his way as one of the most recognizable names in school history.
Then word came last night that Luke Kennard, Franklin’s starting quarterback the last two seasons, was named an All-Ohio Division III Offensive Player of the Year for the 2013 football season.
As outstanding as that distinction is, consider the fact that only eight months ago, as Franklin’s starting shooting guard, he was named an All-Ohio Division II Player of the Year – in basketball.
Tell me, who does that? Who rises to that level in two sports in the same calendar year?
Luke, that’s who.
Say no more.
His achievements have been and will continue to be the subject of local and national news accounts. ESPN did a story last summer, as did Reebok and MaxPreps. Anytime the local TV stations or newspapers cover the Wildcats, Luke is always asked to say a few words.
At one football game this fall, three major college basketball coaches watched from the corner of the end zone – Ohio State’s Thad Motta, Michigan’s John Beilein and North Carolina’s Roy Williams (all shown in the photo). At another, Kentucky’s John Calipari stood with an entourage.
The attention is all deserved. I don’t know a single person who has ever said otherwise.
BUT LET ME OFFER a different spin here. There’s one other real reason you have to love Luke, especially if you’re a Wildcat, but even if you hear his name from an altogether different position.
It has to do with the way he handles himself – with poise, class and humility.
If you ask me, those are far more remarkable personal qualities to possess.
When you watch Luke, you watch someone who, while intensely competitive, goes about his business with a style that can only be admired. Opposing taunts are ignored. Bad officiating does not detract him. And if the other team somehow gets an advantage, Luke is determined to make sure it is only temporary.
Brian Bales, his basketball coach, and Rodney Roberts, his football coach, know a fundamental truth about Luke – he never, ever gets rattled. Opposing coaches know another fundamental truth about him – he is never, ever disrespectful.
I will always remember the basketball game at Springboro two years ago. Both teams were undefeated, and the gym was sold out before the JV game even started.
Luke’s first two shots, taken right in front of the Springboro cheering section, were off the mark – significantly. The Blue Crew responded in a not-so-kind way.
Luke was only a freshman then. Freshmen are supposed to disappear after awful starts like that.
But Luke’s third shot, again taken right in front of the Springboro cheering section, hit nothing but net. So did his fourth shot, and his fifth. Luke scored 20 on the night as the ‘Cats won by more than that.
Poise. Class. Respect. You gotta’ love it.
Everybody has a Luke story similar to that one.
I often joke with his mother Jennifer that Luke obviously got all of his athletic talent from her. All kidding aside, those who ever saw his father Mark play know that Luke resembles him in more ways than one.
Luke wears No. 10 as a tribute to Mark and his brothers, Todd and Wade, who all wore the number during various Wildcat seasons thirty years ago. In time, for sure, no one will ever wear the number again because the school will retire it.
But, to me, all the talent and accomplishment would mean nothing without Luke’s poise and character, which is obviously a reflection on both Mark and Jennifer (shown above with their daughter Lauren). They’ve obviously done a wonderful job raising such graceful children.
On behalf of Wildcat Nation, I say thanks.
There is an excitement surrounding Franklin that only comes around every so often. But there is an air of distinction about it.
THERE WAS A MOMENT this past football season I will always remember. The ‘Cats were at Valley View, playing a Spartan team that was undefeated at the time, one that would eventually go on to the state playoffs. The atmosphere that night was electric.
Luke threw four touchdown passes, all the while steadying the ‘Cats as they withstood a late Spartan challenge. Franklin won, 42-39. There was a celebration afterward that resembled a New York City ticker tape parade.
Luke said, showing humility, “I love being part of this team.”
Luke said, showing poise, “We did what we had to do to beat a really tough opponent.”
But Coach Roberts centered some real credit where it really needed to go. He and I spent a lot of time this fall talking about all aspects of Wildcat football, and we spent a lot of time talking about all the guys on the team, especially the seniors. But on this night, it was clear one thing needed to be said. He said, “Luke is such a leader of this football team. When the situation gets tough, he takes his game to a whole other level.”
That was proven again last night. It’s an All-Ohio level.
It will soon be to the major college level.
But, until then, Luke is still a Wildcat. His class act has several more chapters to be written. He’s still in the bus with us.
And what a ride it is.