The following article by Mike Blackerby/ 5Star Preps details last week’s Powell/Oak Ridge matchup.
Powell sputtered out of the gate but turned in a dominating performance over the final three quarters September 5, 2024, as the Panthers crushed 5A rival Oak Ridge 35-7 in a non-region game.
Powell (2-1), after spotting the visiting Wildcats (0-2) a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, scored 35 unanswered points the rest of the way to post the surprisingly easy victory.
Once the Panthers found their groove the game turned into a mismatch.
“We knew they (Oak Ridge) were going to come out excited to play and we were going to have to match their energy in the first quarter,” said Powell coach Matt Lowe.
“We didn’t do that, but our kids kept fighting and our kids started making plays.”
POWELL DEFENSE FLIPS THE SWITCH
Oak Ridge had success running the football in the first quarter as sophomore tailback Damillyan Porter carried seven times for 41 yards.
Porter’s 1-yard touchdown run with 3:26 remaining in the first quarter edged the Wildcats in front 7-0.
Oak Ridge had 84 total yards in the first quarter, but the Wildcats were totally shut down the rest of the way by the aggressive Powell defense.
The Panthers held Oak Ridge to just 61 total yards over the final three quarters.
“Going out there in the second quarter we knew we had to make a stop,” said end Charvon Thomas, one of Powell’s leaders on defense.
“Our coaches tell us all the time that the game starts at the line of scrimmage, and that’s what we capitalized on.”
Once the Panthers gained the momentum in the second quarter they never let up.
For the game, Oak Ridge managed just 145 total yards (59 rushing, 86 passing) and nine first downs.
Standout Wildcats receiver Will Pressley had just four receptions for 26 yards and was an obvious focal point for Powell’s defense.
“He’s a heck of a football player, but our kids did a great job of executing on defense,” said Lowe.
Oak Ridge quarterback Blaine Stansberry completed 9 of 13 passes for 81 yards, but the junior was relentlessly pressured by the Powell defensive front over the final three quarters.
POWELL OFFENSE COMES ALIVE
Powell’s offense fed off its defense in the second quarter, and vice versa as the Panthers scored three touchdowns to go up 21-7 at the half.
Senior running back Connor Wheeler scored on a pair of 11-yard runs and junior quarterback Deuce Rodgers punched in a 1-yard sneak for a score.
“They’re just a great pair together,” said Lowe.
In typical fashion, Wheeler (14 carries, 62 yards) simply looked like he wanted it more than any player on the field.
On Powell’s opening possession of the second half, Wheeler willed his way to a first down on a fourth-and-4 by driving through several Oak Ridge defenders for a 6-yard gain to the Wildcats’ 34.
“When I’m in those scenarios where I have to get a first down or a touchdown, I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” said Wheeler.
“I’m always going to go harder than anybody else.”
RODGERS COMING OF AGE
Rodgers, who added a 13-yard touchdown toss to DeZion Jackson in the third quarter, continues to grow as a quarterback.
He hit on 11 of 13 throws for 134 yards and showed good pocket presence, often buying time with his legs and then patiently finding open receivers like Westin Williams (5 catches, 89 yards).
“Deuce continues to get better and develop as a quarterback,” said Lowe.
“He’s 100 miles from where he was this time last year. He knows where to go with the ball.”
Rodgers also ran for 55 yards on eight attempts.
UP NEXT
Oak Ridge gets Karns (2-1) in its home opener next week as the Wildcats look to secure their first win of the 2024 season.
Meanwhile, Powell travels to Heritage (2-1) riding a wave of momentum since dropping a close 28-25 decision to Anderson County in its season opener.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” said Lowe.
“They didn’t let that first loss set them back.”
Mike Blackerby/ 5Star Preps
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