Powers provides big plays in Cadets' narrow victory

Benedictine's Rico Powers caught the interest of college football recruiters last season, when he rushed for 842 yards, caught 25 passes for 449 yards and scored 16 touchdowns for the Cadets.

The standout junior picked up where he left off in Benedictine's opener against Burke County on Saturday night. Powers showed his big-play ability — rushing for 91 yards on nine carries, including a 61-yard scoring run, and catching two passes for 45 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown reception, in BC's 23-22 victory at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro.

Powers is the Savannah Morning News High School Football Player of the Week.

"Rico is an explosive athlete who can make plays in the open field as a running back and receiver," BC coach Danny Britt said. "He's the kind of player who can take it the distance any time he touches the ball. He has excellent vision and makes great cuts."

His big plays came at critical moments in the tense battle with Burke County — a game that featured four lead changes.

BC was down 7-0 when quarteback Carter Geriner connected with Trent Broadnax for a 14-yard scoring pass in the second quarter. But the touchdown was called back on a holding penalty. On the very next play, Powers flew by a defensive back and ran down Gerniner's touchdown toss for a 30-yard score as the Cadets tied things up at 7-7.

John Dodd recovered a Burke County fumble four plays later, and Powers was off the races again, this time scoring on a 61-yard run.

"On the touchdown pass, I knew we needed a big play since Trent's touchdown got called back," said Powers, who has seven college offers including Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. "Carter threw it out there and ran as hard as I could to get it. I was hyped. On the run, I got some great blocking from my line. There was a big hole and I saw daylight."

Powers and his Cadet teammates have two weeks off before they travel to Roswell  to play Blessed Trinity, the defending GHSA Class 4A champion.

"We've got things to work on," Powers said. "We need to trust each other more, get better with our blocking and avoid penalties. But we'll be ready for Blessed Trinity."

 Other top performances last weekend:

Taylor Jackson, South Effingham — The junior threw for 198 yards and two scores and ran for 98 yards in the Mustangs' win over Long County.

Damozzi Harris, Windsor Forest — The sophomore ran for 144 yards and a score and caught two passes for 45 yards in a win over Jenkins County.

Nate Moon, Savannah Christian — The junior rushed for 152 yards and had 10 tackles and a fumble recovery in a loss to Athens Academy.

Deyandre Ruffin, New Hampstead — The senior quarterback was 6 of 11 for 119 yards passing and ran for a 13-yard score in New Hampstead's win over Jenkins.

Zach Thomas, Effingham County — Connected on field goals of 15, 35 and 30 yards in the Rebels' 9-6 win at Evans.

Tristian Pullins, Bradwell Institute — The sophomore had four catches for 86 yards in a loss to Dodge County.

Eric Phoenix, Windsor Forest — The quarterback connected with Dezon Thompson for the winning touchdown with three minutes left in a win over Jenkins County.

Dontre Wallace, New Hamsptead — The senior rushed for 65 yards and a score in New Hampstead's win over Jenkins.

Trent Wimberly, South Effingham — Ran for 95 yards and a score in South Effingham's win.

Sam Brown, New Hampstead — Returned an interception 107 yards for a score in a win over Jenkins.

Luke Carter, Richmond Hill — Complete 7 of 10 passes for 100 yards and a score in a win over Grovetown.

Larry Scott, South Effingham — Ran for 90 yards and a touchdown in the win over Long County.

Ruii Hernandez, Richmond Hill — Recorded 10 tackles in a win over Grovetown.

Winston Wright, Memorial Day — The senior caught a 73-yard scoring pass from Dre'Shawn Pinkston in a loss to May River.

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