The state championship was on the line, and Derrick Kennedy and Dennis Keith “DK” Kennedy knew they had to step up. DK powered through the offensive line, bursting into the backfield and delivering a crucial sack on the quarterback. Moments later, Derrick followed with a key tackle, stopping the opposition from getting a first down. Their relentless defensive effort set the tone for the game, helping Woodland High School secure a 58-23 victor y over Talihina.
The title marks Woodland High School’s first Oklahoma state football championship since 2010. As the clock expired, the brothers embraced, knowing they had finished their football journey together as champions. Derrick, a junior, and DK, a senior at Woodland, have been playing football together since childhood, pushing each other to be better every step of the way. “We butt heads a lot and compete with each other every day, but we always have each other’s backs,” DK said. “No one pushes me harder than my brother.”
That competitive fire fueled their undefeated 14-0 season. DK, wearing No. 73 and playing center and defensive tackle, made his presence known with two sacks and a forced fumble. Derrick, wearing No. 55 and playing left tackle and linebacker, added his own sacks to the stat sheet, proving just how dominant the duo could be on both sides of the ball.
“In football, my role was to draw blocks so that Derrick wouldn’t get blocked and could make tackles,” DK said. “It was all about selflessness and teamwork.” Their bond was not just built on the football field. The brothers also played basketball and baseball together, making sports a central part of their development.
“We grew up playing everything together,” Derrick said. “Football, basketball, baseball—it didn’t matter, we just wanted to compete.” Athletics runs in their family. Their father coached them when they were younger, instilling discipline and a love for the game. “He taught us not only how to play, but how to be tough and do things the right way,” DK said. “That’s something we carry with us every day.” As the senior DK prepares for graduation, he plans to find a job and possibly enter the oil industry.
Derrick, meanwhile, is working to send his film to college coaches in hopes of continuing his football career. Realizing that they will not be on the same field again is bittersweet. “It’s going to be different,” Derrick said. “He’s always been there for me. Every game, every practice—we always had each other.” While their paths may soon diverge, their bond remains unshakable. “At the end of the day, we’re solid,” Derrick said. “No matter where life takes us, I know we’ll always have each other’s backs.” For the Kennedy brothers, football wasn’t just a sport—it was the foundation of their relationship, a journey they will always share.
