He’s a center ... and a center

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La Palma Kennedy’s offensive line this season was inexperienced and on the small side, but with one big exception. Jeremy Hensley stands 6 feet 3 and weighs 280 pounds.

“He backpedals like a defensive back,” said Coach Mitch Olson. “He benches 310, 315, he’s a good athlete and he picks everything up fast.”

He is the size of a tackle but he plays center for Olson’s team. He’s in pretty rare company when it comes to Kennedy’s football heritage.

In 20 years of coaching, Olson has had two linemen receive Division I scholarships, “and this kid is good,” he said, hopeful that Hensley will become the third. “He’s quiet but he has a mean streak.”

Proof of just how athletic Hensley is can be found in what he does once the football season ends: He is the center on the basketball team.

-- Martin Henderson