SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 19 – Thomas Jefferson Academy, W 43-0
Aug. 26 – at Patton, W 46-16
Sept. 2 – E. Burke, L 21-28 OT
Sept. 9—Highland Tech
Sept. 16 – at BLACK MOUNTAIN OWEN
Sept. 23 – AVERY COUNTY
Sept. 30 – MITCHELL COUNTY
Oct. 7 – at MADISON
Oct. 14 – at ROSMAN
Oct. 28 – MOUNTAIN HERITAGE
DRAUGHN WILDCATS
POWELL
Conference: Western Highlands 1A-2A
Head coach: Chris Powell (19-23, 4 years).
Assistant coaches: Jonathan Winker, LB-DC; Billy Abee, DL; Ryan Wilkins, DB; Chris Cozort, OLB; Jeremy Davis, WR-DB; Bryson Lambert, WR; Justin Radabaugh, RB
Last season’s records: 6-6 overall, 4-2 in Western Highlands 1A-2A, second place
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2021, 1A
Last state playoff victory: 2021, 1A, d. Elkin 56-9 first round
All-time state playoff bids: 4
Conference titles since 1980: None
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 18
Returning lettermen: 30
OFFENSE
Set: TE Spread or H-back Spread
Returning starters: 9
Leading returning rushers: Nigel Dula, 5-11, 85, Jr. (142-1,683, 18 TDs)
Leading returning passer: Eli Tillery, 6-5, 170, Jr. (99-189-na, 1,426, 12 TDs)
Leading returning receivers: Tywan Nemorin, 5-8, 165, Sr. (14-261, 2 TDs)
Other key returnees: Josh Elkins, 5-10, na, Sr., OL; Luke Rector, 6-4, 292, Sr., OL; Tristan Hines, 6-2, na, Jr., OL; Bryan Sanchez, 6-1, 235, Sr., OL; Elijah Pritchard, 6-3, 205, Sr., TE; Zack Pinkerton, 6-0, 190, Sr., WR; Justice Cunningham, 6-0, 190, Jr., RB; Jacob Mull, 6-3, 220, Soph., TE; Will Seagle, 6-4, 306, Jr. OL
Top newcomers: Jesus Becerra, 6-2, 265, Jr., OL; Sterling Radabaugh, 5-8, 130, Soph., WR; Dylan Rhoney, 5-7, na, Jr., WR; Harrison Williams, na, na, Sr., OL
DEFENSE
Set: 3-4
Returning starters: 9
Players to watch: Rector, 6-4, 292, Sr., DL; Hines, 6-2, na, Jr., DL; Donnell Wilkins, 5-8, 195, Sr., LB; Thomas Lambert, 5-10, na, Sr., LB; Hampton Blackwell, 5-11, 182, Jr., LB; Nemorin, 5-8, 165, Jr., DB; Trevor Houston, 5-7, na, Sr., DB; C. Pinkerton, 6-1, na, Jr., DB; Will Price, 6-2, 160, Sr., DB; Pritchard, 6-3, 205, Sr., LB; Z. Pinkerton, 6-0, 190, Sr., DB; Cunningham, 6-0, 190, Jr., DB; Mull, 6-3, 220, Soph., LB; Seagle, 6-4, 306, Jr., DL
