Adonis Watt is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Centennial High School for AZPreps365.com

Kenny Worthy III is making plays on both sides of the ball and is committed to playing Div. I football at Washington State next year.

Worthy is growing into a man and, with the support and guidance from his family along with his hard work on the field, hopes to find success in college football.

It’s not as easy as he makes it look, though. Before he can go to Washington State, he must complete his schoolwork, including his three online classes so he can graduate from Centennial High School in January and get a head start on training this spring.

Worthy said that he’s always had a strong support system, with his parents and two older sisters. His father, Kenny Worthy II, does things like meal prep for the week, along with taking his son to get IVs before every game to make sure he’s hydrated.

His parents help him keep things in perspective as well.

“We in this for free education; anything else is extra,” Kenny Worthy II said. “As long as he gets his degree, he’ll be able to take care of his family, and that’s the most important thing.”

Kenny’s mother, Terri, helps separate the game from his home life.

“I know football is a big part of his life but when we get home, there’s other important things to focus on like chores and family time,” she said.  

That support system has instilled principles like integrity and competitiveness since he was a child.

That competitiveness was much needed going into high school. The summer before his freshman year at Millennium, Worthy III was a quarterback, and when one of the coaches he was training with brought up the idea of him moving to corner, he was defiant.

Even though he lost the QB battle due to lack of experience, it ended up working out for the better. After his first three games at corner, Worthy III already had five interceptions. He transferred to Centennial after his freshman year so he could get more exposure on the field.

However, according to AIA rules, any transfer athlete for football must sit out five games before playing. It was during this time Worthy III developed his skills as a receiver in practice as a scout player.

For a high school athlete, junior year is crucial for exposure, which can lead to receiving college offers. At the end of his sophomore year, Worthy III said he was starting to get a little discouraged because he felt like he was making enough plays, but the offers just weren’t coming. A couple weeks later he received his first offer from Iowa State. He felt like his hard work was starting to pay off.

“I finally got what I’ve been working for,” Worthy III said of that momentary satisfaction. “I don’t think I’ve felt that since that day.”

He said he knew he could either slow down and become satisfied, or he could hit the gas and go for more. He chose to go for more. Fast forward some offers later, and he’s committed to Washington State.

Worthy III’s high school football journey, however, is not yet over. No. 3 Centennial will face No. 1 Liberty in the Open State championship finals December 2 at ASU’s Mountain America Stadium in Tempe at 5 p.m.