The days of seeing high school athletes compete in a different sport every season has become a thing of the past, as more and more kids try to focus on excelling at one rather than competing in a variety. A culture of AAU leagues and parents hiring personal trainers or coaches for their children has become more apparent.
Just don’t expect to see that from Cherokee High School senior and football standout Jake Powell.
“He’s definitely a throwback to a different era, the classic three-sport athlete,” Cherokee head football coach PJ Mehigan said. “Today, kids are so specialized in only playing one sport. It’s rare to see someone like Jake playing football, basketball and baseball, even more rare that they excel in all of them like he does.”
Powell, who stands 6’5 and weighs 200 pounds, has already drawn attention from Division I scouts including representatives from Penn State. As a tight end, he is a threat both blocking and receiving. His versatility is evident on the football field as well as he also plays defensive end for the Chiefs.
“Jake has a lot of responsibility for us, not only on offense in the blocking and receiving game but we will be counting on him at the defensive end position as well,” Mehigan said. “His height and athleticism give him such long range and great instincts. He always puts himself in position to rush the quarterback or knock down the pass.”
Powell’s importance to Cherokee is well defined as he has been a starter for the Chiefs since his sophomore year. But, according to Mehigan, there is no one on the team who works harder.
“He’s a true role model for every member of the team. Not only doing it on the field but also in the classroom.
“You know that he puts 100 percent into everything that he does,” Mehigan said. “He’s a coach’s dream and a big part of the Cherokee High School family.”
As a junior, Powell became Cherokee’s all-time leader in receptions for a season and career at tight end.
Those records will likely be added to, as he is the Chiefs’ top receiving threat.
“The sky is the limit for what he’ll be able to accomplish this season,” Mehigan said.
The Chiefs, who last won a Group IV championship in 2010, finished 6–4 in 2012 but are expecting a return to greater success. Nine starters on offense, including Powell, will return from last season. Mehigan said that if the team can stay healthy, its depth on the offensive and defensive line should remain a strength, as well as quarterback Trevor Osler returning as the starter.
“We look to compete for a conference championship and look to secure a spot in the playoffs to compete for a group championship.
“We have big expectations every season,” Mehigan said. “We’ve had a great offseason and we’re returning a lot of our starters and team leaders that have been in some battles the last couple of seasons. They’ve had some disappointments to learn from, and we’ll see how that experience translate
