Jamison Powell almost changed his mind about playing footballhis senior year at Brookhaven Academy. Powell had bypassed hissophomore and junior seasons, preferring basketball as the Cougarswon consecutive state tournament championships.

Now, as a senior linebacker, Powell can add a football title tohis trophy case if the Cougars win their next four playoff games.He helped them clinch the District 4-AA championship for a fourthconsecutive year, making 13 tackles and 2 interceptions as theCougars defeated Bowling Green 21-14 last Friday night and wentundefeated in 11 regular-season games.

For his performance, Powell has been selected The DAILY LEADER’sDefensive Player of the Week.

“Jamison had a good night for us,” said BA head football coachHerbert Davis. “He has been a great asset for us since he came outfrom basketball last spring. He hung with us through the summer anddecided to stick with us. He’s been a great kid to coach.”

Powell leads the Cougars in tackles this season. He has hadseveral double-digit tackle performances.

Davis said Powell plays at a high intensity level. “He has amotor and he’s always running to the football. He plays hard everyplay and he has a nose for the football.”

“Jamison is a smart player, too. He keeps getting better everyweek. He’s really a raw football player and he continues to up hisgame.”

Powell (6-1, 185) said he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9. He benchpresses 195 pounds and squats with 300.

Obviously, his senior season has been a blast. “My friendstalked me into playing football. This was my last chance to playbefore I graduated.”

He said he enjoys playing outside linebacker. “It’s fun. You getto step up and blitz or you can step back and cover(receivers).”

Powell said BA’s defensive line harassed Bowling Greenquarterback Cash Cooley and hurried his throws. “Our line putpressure on him. I was lucky to be in the right place. On thesecond one (interception) I was trying to reach my coverage areawhen I saw the quarterback look toward me. I made a break for theball.”

Also working at linebacker for the Cougars are Donovan Lorraine,Allen Michael Allred and Jennings Mills. In the defensive line areBailey Hodge, Will Gatlin, Colby Kent, Hunter Franklin, ClintStewart, Hunter McCullough and Cameron Barry.

Working in the BA secondary are Tripp Jolly and Bubba Keene,along with Myles Melancon and Logan Pace. Playing at safety areJeff Rushing, Mark Rushing and Jacob Philipp.

Asked about the team, Powell said, “We have exceeded everybody’sexpectations.”

Powell is the 17-year-old son of Ken and Sherry Powell, both BAgraduates. His father played football for the Cougars in the mid1970s and later graduated from West Point Military Academy. He’scurrently a colonel in the Army.

Powell said his father, a 1977 BA grad, provides encouragement,even when he’s out of town on military duty. “He’ll call and tellme to play hard.”

Powell said he enjoys playing for Davis, who like BA basketballcoach Dale Watts, projects a high level of intensity during theheat of battle. “I like playing for Coach Davis. He gets the mostout of us.”

Kenny Williams serves as BA’s defensive coordinator. “He gets usin the right spots and the right holes.”

Looking to the future, Powell said he wants to attendMississippi State University where his sister, Joy, is majoring inbroadcast journalism. He is considering a career in medicine.

In his spare time, Powell enjoys listening to country music,especially Brad Paisley. He’s a devoted follower of the MiamiDolphins. His favorite NFL player is Baltimore Ravens safety EdReed.

FAVORITES

Birthday: January 31, 1992

Food: Chicken and dumplings

Dessert: Peach cobbler

TV Show: That 70s Show

Movie: Forest Gump

Subject: Math

College: Mississippi State

NFL Team: Miami

NFL Player: Ed Reed