Matt Lowe, Powell hoping for team, scheme balance in 2018

Coming off of a season that saw him score eight touchdowns and record five interceptions, one would think that Riley Bryant's efforts would have his new head coach, Matt Lowe, feeling content.

Not so.

Lowe, who is kicking off his second stint at Powell after leaving The King's Academy this offseason, wants to see his veteran receiver/defensive back have an impact on more than just the scoreboard this year. 

"He's got to assume more of that leadership role," Lowe said. "We know what he can do as an individual. We know he is going to be productive within his position, offensively and defensively.

"Now he's got to make everybody around him better as well." 

And that's a sentiment that is shared by both player and coach.

"I have to accept my leadership role ... and know that some of these guys are looking up for a leader," Bryant said. "Then we all have to step up and be that leader for these younger guys that are coming in and playing a lot of reps..."

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A hope for improvement in every facet translates not just to Bryant, the other players and the leadership, but also to the scheme. The Panthers are hoping for a more balanced look this season under Lowe after going 5-5 last year. The coach went 30-25 during his time at TKA and was 49-23 during his first round at Powell.

A large part of that balance for the Panthers will be executing an offense that is proficient in both running the ball and passing it. Lowe hopes to create a strong passing attack at Powell.

"Every year as a coach, you've got to go through and you've got to figure out your strengths and your weaknesses," Lowe said. "You've got to figure out what you're good at. Some of the successful teams we had in the past were heavy on running the football.

"We've got to find that balance ... we've got to be able to throw the ball consistently." 

Bryant's prowess as an offensive weapon could help Lowe and Powell achieve its goal of crafting a dynamic offense, but, as both player and coach know, it will take a team effort to bring Powell into prominence.

If that happens, it will be a domino effect.

"If we bond as a unit, we can compete a lot harder and a lot better at a higher level," Bryant said. "I think that's our biggest goal is to compete everyday in everything we do."