Now that the mission has been accomplished, Taylor Powell can look back on a season full of big numbers, record-setting accomplishments and above all, a fourth Class 7A state championship for Fayetteville football.
For Powell, everything piled up by Fayetteville’s explosive offense this season — school-record touchdown passes and team’s conference record scoring mark — began almost a year ago.
“We lost some people from that 2014 team, but we felt like we had all the right pieces to contend,” Powell said. “And right after the championship game that year, me and our receivers were out there going right back to work.”
Powell was the centerpiece of a Bulldogs’ offense that on most nights was a nightmare for opposing defenses. His 3,594 passing yards, school record 49 passing TDs and Class 7A record 55 total TDs accounted for was the highlight of a unit that averaged 49.7 points per game, another 7A-West record.
For his efforts, Powell is the All-NWADG Offensive Player of the Year.
— Vernon Tarver •