School is back in session, and the TSSAA Class 5-A Champion Powell Panthers swing back into regular season action on August 19 against the Anderson County Mavericks.
Last year’s team was special. In all the years and with all the players, Powell High School had never won a state football championship until 2021, when Matt Lowe, the players and the assistant coaches put it together.
The Powell community said thanks. In an effort led by Realty Executive’s Laura Bailey, residents raised the $30,000-plus it took to purchase championship rings for the entire team. “We’ve been in the finals, but had never won the championship,” Bailey said. “We got a boost from FirstBank. They chipped in $6,000 at the end to reach our goal.”
The 2022 Panthers’ schedule is:
- Fri 19 7:30 p.m. at Anderson County
- Thu 25 7 p.m. Maryville
- Fri 2 7 p.m. Karns
- Fri 9 7 p.m. Science Hill
- Fri 16 7 p.m. at Clinton
- Fri 23 7 p.m. at Halls
- Fri 30 7 p.m. Oak Ridge
- Fri 7 7 p.m. Campbell County
- Fri 21 7:30 p.m. at Knoxville Catholic
- Fri 28 7 p.m. at Lenoir City
Just a few weeks ago, the team notched the Knoxville Classic 7 on 7 championship. A week before the season opener, the Panthers’ defense will take on the Bearden Bulldogs’ offense in the High School Kick Off Classic. The classic spans two days, Aug. 11-12, and Powell will face Bearden in the second of four match-ups at Hardin Valley Academy on Aug. 12.