Powell Panthers aim to scratch out more wins
Despite some rough sledding in recent years, Powell High School football coach Rodney Ellison is convinced that better times are finally straight ahead for the Panthers in 2017.
Powell is just 4-27 over the past three years, and the Panthers haven’t had a winning season since the 2012 team finished 12-2 and advanced to the state Class 5A semifinals.
Powell was 1-9 last season and struggled on defense, giving up 44.9 points a game.
Ellison, in his third year as Powell coach, said this year’s team should be much improved.
“Last year we weren’t very competitive,” said Ellison. “This year I think we’re going to be a very competitive football team.”
On offense, Ellison confidently turns things over to sophomore quarterback Walker Trusley (6-foot-1, 170 pounds).
“He’s a passer,” said Ellison. “He started the last game of the season for us last year and threw for 200 yards against South-Doyle.”
Trusley has a solid and deep group of receivers to throw to, including Riley Bryant (5-9, 160-lb. junior), Alex Hart (6-0, 170-lb. senior) and Chris Harvey (5-10, 160-lb. junior).
“Harvey is probably one of the more dynamic kids on the team,” said Ellison.
Look for senior Jonathan McQueen (6-0, 180) and sophomore Eli Owens (5-10, 175) to share the load at running back.
“Jonathan only played the first three games last season,” said Ellison. “He quit, but came back and has earned a starting spot. Owens is more of a downhill runner for us.”
Anchors of the offensive line include sophomore Michael Treadwell (6-1, 250) at left tackle and senior Brandon England (6-1, 260) at center. Treadwell started all 10 games last season as a freshman.
Ellison said the Panthers have the pieces in place to have a productive offense with Trusley at the helm. “I think we’ll be able to move the ball a little more up and down the field. We’ll be more balanced, and I’ve been able to open up the playbook more.”
Ellison is counting on senior inside linebacker Wesley Hardin (5-11, 220) to be “the heart of the defense” after missing last season with an injury.
The Panthers have a budding star up front in junior nose guard Alvin Stacy (6-0, 300), who has already drawn interest from smaller schools such as Central Florida.
Returning starter Bryson Reed (6-4, 220 senior) is a speed rusher off the edge at end who gives the Panthers another physical presence on the defensive line.
In the secondary, Ellison likes his cornerback tandem of Bailor Walker (5-11, 170 sophomore) and Nick Moore (5-9, 160 senior).
Another player to watch on defense is senior linebacker David Robbins (5-10, 215).
Ellison has been pleased with the defense’s improvement in preseason camp and scrimmages. “We’ve had great pursuit and we’ve been a lot better at getting 11 hats to the football,” he said.
But while the Panthers should be better in 2017, so should the competition. That’s because Powell switches regions, moving from Region 2-5A to Region 3-5A.
West is the only returning region foe for the Panthers, who add Oak Ridge, Fulton, Campbell County, Clinton and Karns as their league opponents in 2017.
“Our region is much tougher,” said Ellison. “You’ve got Oak Ridge, Fulton and West. Those are three of the most athletic teams in the area and they’ve all been state-title contenders. Then you’ve got Campbell County, which always has a good quarterback and is hard to stop.”
With four playoff spots up for grabs in the region, Ellison said the recipe for postseason play is to hold serve against the bottom-tier teams and then hope for an upset somewhere.
Here are thumbnail looks at Powell’s region opponents this season:
Fulton (last meeting 2014; Fulton 38, Powell 3): Even with a season-ending knee injury to standout receiver Deshaun McKinney over the summer, the Falcons return possibly the best set of skill players in the area. Junior quarterback Xavier Malone is a three-year starter and big-time talent. Running back Dorian Williamson and fullback/linebacker DeShaun Page are two other standouts. Fulton was 8-5 last season with a loss to Central in the state 4A semifinals.
Oak Ridge (last meeting 2014; Oak Ridge 66, Powell 0): All-American wide receiver Tee Higgins is now a freshman at Clemson, but the Wildcats return a stable of threats offensively. Junior slot/running back Jordan Graham has rushed for 2,000 yards in his career already, and is one of the area’s top breakaway threats. Senior quarterback Johnny Stewart is back for his second year as a starter after tossing 18 touchdown passes a year ago. The Wildcats were 8-3 last season with a first-round loss to Walker Valley in the 5A playoffs.
Campbell County (last meeting 2014; Campbell Co. 41, Powell 0): Prolific passer Zach Rutherford returns at quarterback for the high-powered Cougars. Campbell County was 8-3 last season with a first-round loss to Ooltewah in the 5A playoffs.
West (last meeting 2016; West 35, Powell 0): Lamar Brown takes over as coach for the Rebels, making the move from Morristown West to replace Jeff Harig. The Rebels (4-6) failed to make the playoffs last season.
Clinton (last meeting 2014; Clinton 48, Powell 22): Former Grace Christian coach Randy McKamey replaces Josh Kerr for the Dragons, who were 1-9 a year ago.
Karns (last meeting 2016; Powell 31, Karns 23): Two of the Panthers’ four wins over the last three seasons have come against the Beavers. Karns is coming off a 1-9 season in 2016.
POWELL FOOTBALL 2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 18 at Halls; Aug. 25 at Cumberland County; Sept. 1 at Fulton; Sept. 8 at Karns; Sept. 15 Clinton; Sept. 22 Lenoir City; Sept. 29 at Campbell County; Oct. 6 West; Oct. 20 Oak Ridge; Oct. 27 South-Doyle
*All games start at 7:30 p.m. except Cumberland County (8)