For Summit graduate Ryan Powell, Les Schwab Bowl marks the final game of a stellar, but injury-riddled, football career
By Dan Brood
When Ryan Powell steps on the field Saturday, it very well is going to mean a lot to him.
It might mean more to him than anyone else playing in the Les Schwab Bowl.
That’s because, he said, it’s going to be his last game.
Powell, a 2022 Summit High School graduate, is going to wrap up his scholastic football career when he plays for Team Willamette in the high school all-star football game at Linfield University in McMinnville.
“It’s definitely special,” Powell said following a Team Willamette practice Wednesday. “I’m not going to play in college. Football has been my sport my whole life, and it’s finally time to let it go. Being able to do one last time is awesome.”
The speedy Powell, who will play cornerback for Team Willamette in Saturday’s game, battled adversity in the form of injuries during the past two seasons with the Storm.
In his junior season, the already-shortened COVID 2021 spring campaign, Powell suffered a torn labrum. In his senior season, Powell suffered a broken shoulder.
“I broke my shoulder, and it’s still not totally healed yet, but I’m still going to play. I might as well,” Powell said.
When healthy, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Powell showed his breakaway ability. Among other plays, he scored on an 81-yard run in an Oct. 9 game at West Salem.
Despite the injury, Powell earned all-Mountain Valley Conference honorable mention accolades at running back.
For now, Powell seems to be relishing every moment of the Les Schwab Bowl week.
“I think it’s an awesome experience just to be around all of these guys,” he said. “I think it’s great to be out here and meet a bunch of new guys. I’ve only played against a couple of these guys. It’s also great to have my (Summit) boys here with me.”
Powell is one of five players from Summit, along with receiver/defensive back Joe Schutz, linebacker Jack Clemans, kicker/punter Soren McKee and lineman Spencer Elliott, in Saturday’s game, all for Team Willamette.
“It’s cool, because it shows how good we did this season and how hard we worked to get to this spot,” Powell said.
As for the future, Powell said he plans on attending Arizona State University, where he’ll study business.
But first, he has one last football game to play.
“It’s going to be awesome, and great to see all of my family members here — I’ve got some people coming down,” Powell said. “And being out in the football atmosphere for one last time will be special.”
And how important is winning?
“It’s definitely important,” Powell said with a smile. “There’s been a little trash talk between the teams. I think winning is going to be the main priority. I don’t really care about stats; I just want to end my career with one final win.”
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This year’s Les Schwab Bowl, presented by Express Employment Professionals, and serving as a fundraiser for various youth charities, includes many of the top players from around the state, including underclassmen, as well as a player from southwest Washington. This is the 74th game in the series, but the first that won’t be North vs. South. Instead, players were drafted by Team Columbia head coach Steve Pyne, who led Central Catholic to the 2021 Class 6A state championship, and Team Willamette head coach Dan Lever, who guided Tualatin to the Class 6A title tilt.
Saturday’s event begins with tailgating at 2 p.m., featuring Golden Valley Brewing, Stoller Family Wine and more. Gates open at 4 p.m., with kickoff slated for 6 p.m.
Tickets for the game can be purchased online, at lesschwabbowl.com/tickets. The game also can be streamed online, at a cost of $10, at lesschwabbowl.com.
