Anderson County Preview

Aiden Gallagher

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Matchup History:

Powell opens their season this Friday with a contest against defending state champion Anderson County Mavericks. Following an 11-3 season, the Panthers look to get payback after losing last year’s opener to the Mavericks 48-14. The Mavericks are coming off a historic 15-0 season that saw them capture the 4A title. The Mavericks and Panthers will face off for the 14th time with the Panthers leading the series 8-5.

Powell:

Electric Junior RB Connor Wheeler will have a huge role in 2023, including next Friday's game. His Sophomore year, in 13 games on 180 carries, Wheeler

rushed for 1,650 yards, tacking on 20 TD’s, to go along with

26 receptions for 178 yards and another TD.

Anderson County:

Senior RB Nick Moog looks to continue his outstanding production from last year. Moog carried the ball 221 times racking up 1,483 yards good enough for

17 TD’s. Moog added 32 receptions for 458 yards and a TD through the air as well.

What To Expect:

Both the Panthers and Mavericks will have new starting QB’s this season and both teams will likely lean heavily on their star RB’s to start the game and ease the new QB’s in to their rolls respectively

Prediction:

Powell and Anderson County are two of the biggest football teams in the state of Tennessee and anytime the two come together there is always reason to expect fireworks. The Mavericks and Panthers have opened against each other for the third year in a row now, and the winner of the previous two meetings went on to win a state championship in their divisions respectively. Look for the game to be close all the way through and the team with the best run defense will likely come out the victor, setting either team on track for a successful season.