2021 Powell 5A State Championship

[Elias287]

Without Walter Nolan, do y’all think Powell would’ve still won the 2021 5A state championship? Even with Walter Nolan, they still almost lost a page in the state championship game, but do you think they would’ve even been there without him?

[SweetScience]

In my humble opinion, no, and any Powell fan who is honest with themselves would probably tell you the same.

[FB123OL]

I agree that Nolan was a big asset to Powell, and I am sure he played a major role with them going to state and winning.  However, you can say that about a number of teams.  Would they have won state without X, Y, or Z?  

Regardless, it is 2023.  You are talking about a game almost two years ago.  Do you seriously have nothing better to do with your time than "troll" Coach T trying to stir up controversy?  

[ILB1999]

29 minutes ago, FB123OL said:

I agree that Nolan was a big asset to Powell, and I am sure he played a major role with them going to state and winning.  However, you can say that about a number of teams.  Would they have won state without X, Y, or Z?  

Regardless, it is 2023.  You are talking about a game almost two years ago.  Do you seriously have nothing better to do with your time than "troll" Coach T trying to stir up controversy?  

I have to say, the difference in X, Y, Z is that they aren't normally 4 or 5 star recruits that have pretty clearly been recruited in to a school under relationships that are suspect at best and out there for everyone to see...

[HTV]

Nolen played well at times, but he was very inconsistent all year long.  Never got in good football shape until well in to the season. 

Fortunately for Powell,  he played his best football in the playoffs, which talented players normally do. The big question with him was did he have that extra gear.  He didn't in the regular season, but he found it come playoff time.  

Powell had the talent to win a gold ball without him, but he certainly gave them that extra weapon they needed. 

And Powell isn't the first school to win a state championship after getting transfers in who played major roles. 

Perfect example, Knoxville Central won two after an eventual 2 time all state QB came over from Carter. 

It happens.  

[chsbobcat09]

The answer to the overall question of the thread is No. Powell had an offense that could score on ANYONE, I won’t deny that. The talent on that side of the ball(however it all got there) was exceptional. But Nolan made the defense, he made run games 1 sided because you had to run away from him. Without him, Powell’s defense was mediocre at best and I don’t think they win State without him. But hey they did and good for them. And just a PSA for the know it all, how Dakota came to Central vs how Nolan came to Powell were very, VERY different. Anyone actually comparing the two situations is nothing more than an idiot. End of discussion 

[SweetScience]

12 minutes ago, chsbobcat09 said:

The answer to the overall question of the thread is No. Powell had an offense that could score on ANYONE, I won’t deny that. The talent on that side of the ball(however it all got there) was exceptional. But Nolan made the defense, he made run games 1 sided because you had to run away from him. Without him, Powell’s defense was mediocre at best and I don’t think they win State without him. But hey they did and good for them. And just a PSA for the know it all, how Dakota came to Central vs how Nolan came to Powell were very, VERY different. Anyone actually comparing the two situations is nothing more than an idiot. End of discussion 

Nolen was literally the best player in the state and was considered one of, if not the highest rated player in the whole country. He alone could completely change a game, single handed. He was literally unblockable later on in that season that year. He was triple teamed at times. There’s zero comparison between him and the Central player, as far as who was the more dominant player who could single handedly change the outcome of a football game. And that’s coming from someone who never saw the Central QB, and I’m sure he was great, but Nolen was one of the most dominant talents this state has ever seen. The comparison is pretty silly, IMO.

Edited May 10, 2023 by SweetScience

[Swipes]

9 minutes ago, SweetScience said:

Nolen was literally the best player in the state and was considered one of, if not the highest rated player in the whole country. He alone could completely change a game, single handed. He was literally unblockable later on in that season that year. He was triple teamed at times. There’s zero comparison between him and the Central player, as far as who was the more dominant player who could single handedly change the outcome of a football game. And that’s coming from someone who never saw the Central QB, and I’m sure he was great, but Nolen was one of the most dominant talents this state has ever seen. The comparison is pretty silly, IMO.

I would go back and read his comment again.  He didn't compare Fawver to Nolan at all when it comes to talent or impact .  He said you can't compare how Fawver came to Central and how Nolan came to Powell

Edited May 10, 2023 by Swipes

[SweetScience]

5 minutes ago, Swipes said:

I would go back and read his comment again.  He didn't compare Fawver to Nolan at all when it comes to talent or impact .  He said you can't compare how Fawver came to Central and how Nolan came to Powell

I agree with him. I probably should’ve replied to HTV.

[sumcofootball]

1 hour ago, HTV said:

Nolen played well at times, but he was very inconsistent all year long.  Never got in good football shape until well in to the season. 

Fortunately for Powell,  he played his best football in the playoffs, which talented players normally do. The big question with him was did he have that extra gear.  He didn't in the regular season, but he found it come playoff time.  

Powell had the talent to win a gold ball without him, but he certainly gave them that extra weapon they needed. 

And Powell isn't the first school to win a state championship after getting transfers in who played major roles. 

Perfect example, Knoxville Central won two after an eventual 2 time all state QB came over from Carter. 

It happens.  

Agreed. Powell had the weapons to win without Nolen. Nolen was just a big body in the regular season but once they had the gold ball in their sights he turned it on. I think more than anything Nolen's presence helped Powell. Opposing teams think about him all week and more than likely take up a lot of practice and meeting time game planning around him. Having the #1 player in the state transfer in also boosted the team's confidence from where it already was I'm sure. 

[Swipes]

1 hour ago, SweetScience said:

I agree with him. I probably should’ve replied to HTV.

I figured you meant to reply to HTV, that was my confusion!

[MurphyCollege]

1 hour ago, SweetScience said:

I agree with him. I probably should’ve replied to HTV.

You’ll be on the HandbookTV  ignore list now.