PALM BEACH GARDENS – He may be unknown right now in most circles.
But this week’s Get to Know feature is a player that has a backstory to remember in more ways than one.
Enter senior quarterback Cole Kearney, who transferred from Jupiter to Dwyer this offseason.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound budding star has a level of confidence that will specially galvanize the Panthers for at least the next three months ahead. It showed in spurts at the Keiser 7-on-7 Tournament this past month (June 24).
Kearney spoke on his Keiser 7-on-7 Tournament experience with Dwyer and how it helped in fueling his focus and drive throughout the summer offseason.
“Me and my team performed very well at the recent Keiser 7-on-7,” he said. “But after much prayer, plus talking to my family and coaches, I decided it would be best for me to focus primarily on preparing for the season and getting good film. I understand that despite QB’s like Kyler Murray and Bryce Young having success in the league, scouts still see QB’s at our stature to be at a disadvantage and are often overlooked at camps. I’m excited this season to prove what I can do in game and show how I can perform in tough situations on the field.”
Kearney spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Dwyer, then transferred to Jupiter for his junior season. He has played some at quarterback, but also has played as a slot receiver, kicker returner, punt returner, punter, and outside linebacker.
The versatile athlete shared his high school football journey to date as it pertains to his height and weight.
“I entered my freshman year at 5-foot-1, 135 pounds and was deemed too small to play QB, so I played all over the field,” he said. “Over the last two years I’ve grown to 5-foot-10, 185 pounds and I now run a 4.4 in the 40. I am able to compensate for me growing late with my athleticism, and I think it makes me a unique prospect at QB.”
Kearney is also one-of-a-kind as it pertains to his heritage, which he is extremely proud of. As a Native American, Black, and Italian individual, the Panthers quarterback was happy to share how his roots as a Black Native American descendant from the Cherokee and Choctaw tribes have shaped and molded him.
“I’ve always worn my Black and Native American ancestry on my sleeve because I have pride in the key principles that encapsulate my culture,” he said.
“I feel that being a part of a football brotherhood is very similar to a tribe, in the fact that to see real success you have to truly sacrifice for each other, work as a team, and put your brothers first,” he continued. “I feel that every practice is preparation for war and that I have to be willing to give my all to my teammates every snap. I know that the warrior mentality has been deeply rooted in me, and I am more than grateful that God has given me the opportunity to represent my culture and be an example for young men to strive for greatness on and off the field. My end goal is to be the greatest QB to ever spin a ball and I know that when I find that success I will be able to give back to my people, preserve my cultures, and help to combat the things like poverty that threaten reservations.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Cole Kearney (first picture) and Christian Proscia (second and third pictures)
With that being said, Kearney has been blessed with a supportive coaching staff at Dwyer that is led by head coach Al Shipman.
“I’ve been playing sports since I was four years old,” he said. “I’ve been a part of state championship teams in three different sports and I still have never seen a coaching staff this talented. I think we have the best coaches in the county by a mile. They create a competitive family environment, and every player is developed to their full potential. Not only are these coaches all very successful athletes in their own right, but that success translates into coaching very well and they don’t spare any effort in their preparation or effort towards turning us into the best football team and the best young men we can be.”
Kearney shared his aspirations for this upcoming season at Dwyer.
“My biggest focus is on performing at the highest level every snap, and I know that if we all play our game and stay disciplined, we will win the district championship and have a run at states,” he said. “Individually, I am very blessed to have such an incredible coaching staff. My offensive coordinator helped mold John Mosely into the Palm Beach Player of the Year (Lou Groza POY – 2019), and I believe that this season I can have the same result. Most importantly I want our team to take advantage of our talent and speed and show that our coaches have turned Dwyer into a football powerhouse again.”
