It’s been one heck of a ride for Kennedy’s small, but mighty senior class.

In their four years with the Eagles, they had four playoff appearances, three regional championships, state runners-up finshes and an overall record of 40-12, to go along with 16-4 in the postseason. It’s a resume that’s pretty hard to knock.

While it didn’t end how they planned and the loss will sting, the 2022 season was still a great final year for Kennedy’s senior class of six.

“These guys have had a heck of a career,” Eagles coach Dom Prologo said at Saturday’s postgame press conference. “They’ve won 16 playoff games. That’s one heck of a career. To be able to walk off the field as a senior and say we were 16-4 in the playoffs. That’s pretty special. That’s like playing six seasons of football.

“The seniors that we have and four of them (Aidan Rossi, Ambrose Hoso, Patrick Valent and Thomas Valent) are sitting up here with me right now, they are indicative of what Kennedy is and Kennedy is family.”

If you ask them, that family aspect is exactly what’s made Kennedy’s teams so special.

“The brotherhood and camaraderie between everyone, everyone was so close and I attribute that a lot to the success we had,” Rossi said. “This summer we really bought into what we had to do thanks to coach (Prologo).”

Prologo talked about how special the senior class was in guiding Kennedy this far over the last few years. They helped him get acclimated to the head coaching role as the Eagles went on to finish second in Division VII his first year at the helm.

Though it’s a special class leaving, Prologo also mentioned that they’re hoping this continues to be the standard for the program.

“The future at Kennedy is always going to be bright because of our expectations and our kids work hard,” Prologo said. “That’s my take on where we’re going to be in the future. As far as my seniors go, I’ve only been head coach here for three years and these guys were freshmen in my last year as an assistant coach.

“Those are my guys and I love every one of them. Any success I’ve had as a head coach is because of this senior class. When they were sophomores driving their seniors to be better and helping those seniors get to the state championship. Then last year, again driving our seniors and juniors to get themselves to the semifinals, and this year getting themselves here.”

Over the last three seasons under Prologo, the Eagles have had tremendous success. At the postgame press conference, the Kennedy seniors wanted to give credit to the man leading the program.

Justly so.

In three seasons, Kennedy has three regional championships and two state title game appearances. Even if he doesn’t want to take the credit, Prologo is doing something right.

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“I just want to say thank you to Coach (Prologo),” Thomas Valent said. “When I was a freshman, I didn’t think I’d ever see the field. I owe (Prologo) a lot. … The reason he’s going to be successful, and the teams going forward (are going to be successful) is because when we lost in 2020 that seniors and juniors said, if we don’t win state, we fell short.

“If you set the bar that high, great things are going to come. That just speaks on our tradition and what Kennedy is, because this program will be here back soon and it’s because of this man.”

Rossi echoed those sentiments, mentioning the off the field aspect of things as well. Without the people leading the program, he wouldn’t be the person he is now.

“This program has a bright future, no matter who the players are, because of the coaches that are leading the charge and that’s all you can ask for,” Rossi said. “Losing this game, it hurts more than anything, but it takes a little weight off my shoulders knowing that we have such a great coaching staff here and it’s going to be a perennial success here. That just helps a little bit. Big thanks to coach Prologo for everything he’s done for me and all the coaches. Without them, I certainly wouldn’t be who I am today.”

It certainly wasn’t an easy road to the state final. Given Kennedy’s regular season schedule, it never is.

The Eagles took down Garfield, a perpetual thorn in their sides, early in the season, as well as a Division IV team (Sandusky Perkins) and a Division III school (Marlington). Then in the postseason, Kennedy took down recent two-time state finalist Springfield and later got their revenge on Newark Catholic, the team that ended their season a year ago.

For Patrick Valent, the football journey isn’t over. While he got banged up in the second half Saturday, he got back on the field to finish off his high school career on his own terms.

Next season, he’ll be down in Texas playing for Rice University. The highly-touted lineman still has football left.

Wherever the road takes this group of Kennedy seniors, they’ve made it abundantly clear that their “blue pride” will never die. If the Eagles make it back to Canton again next year, those same kids will be in the crowd cheering as hard as anyone.

byauger@tribtoday.com