La Quinta football to be without star player for upcoming season

La Quinta’s football team may be without one of their star players this season. Derrick Kennedy, a would-be-senior, was projected to be one of the best players in the valley, averaging 158 rushing yards per game as a junior.

Multiple members of the team community have told Sports Director Blake Arthur that Kennedy has not been practicing with the team and is not expected to this season. The Athletic Director Juan Ramon Ruiz says he is unable to provide confirmation on this player. We also reached out to first year Head Coach Patrick Rivenes and a school spokesperson to confirm if Kennedy is enrolled at La Quinta High School but have not yet heard back.

Kennedy’s absence may have a major impact on this fall’s high school football season, not just for the Blackhawks, but for the rest of the teams as well.