Q&A: Football Player Chris Powers
After a national championship run last year, senior Chris Powers is the anchor of what has become an injury-depleted offensive line this season
by Hayden Indahl, EWU Sports Information
Chris Powers, a senior center out of Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Wash., is ready to help get Eastern Washington University’s national championship football team back to where it was last year.
But first, the Eagles have to overcome a battle with injuries along the offensive front, which has helped contribute to an 0-3 start this season. Eastern is hoping for its first victory of the season Saturday (Sept. 24) when EWU plays its 2011 home opener at “The Inferno” at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash.
Eastern lost sophomore Ashton Miller, sophomore Steven Forgette and freshman redshirt Jase Butorac – all guards -- to injuries in the first three weeks. Plus, tackle Will Post missed the first two games with an injury. Powers is looked upon as one of the experienced leaders on the offensive line to help protect senior quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and help the running game continue to improve. The offensive co-captain will start his 31st game in an Eagle uniform when the Eagles play the Bobcats.
Last year, Powers started all 15 games at center for EWU, as he helped Eastern finish 13-2 and win the NCAA Division I Championship. Upholding Eastern’s tradition of outstanding offensive linemen, he earned first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors and was selected to several All-America teams. The Eagles have now had 17 offensive linemen earn All-America accolades in the last 18 years (1993-2010) while winning 19 first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors (1993-2010).
After graduation, Powers hoping to make an impact as a social studies teacher and football coach.
Q: What is the best thing about being on the starting offensive line of a team that won a national championship last year?
A: “We had Taiwan Jones, Bo Levi Mitchell and a bunch of stars on the team, and it all starts up front. A lot of people will tell you everything starts with the offensive line. The ball gets snapped by the offensive line, the run game starts with the offensive line and the passing game gets started with the offensive line. It feels good to know that everything that happens offensively has to come first from up front. We makes the play happen before it happens, if that makes sense.”
Q: In your first three games, why do you think it was so difficult to have a consistent running game?
A: “In the University of Washington game, we went in their knowing we wanted to pass and could attack their secondary, and we threw for 473 yards with Bo Levi Mitchell. We knew we were going to throw the ball and have a slight running game to set-up our play-action passes. In the South Dakota game, we got off our game plan and fell behind really early. When you fall behind 21-0, you kind of have to pass the ball to make some plays and get some quick points. So that made it hard to get the running game going. Then in the Montana game, we knew we had to have a running game, and we ended up having over 100 yards rushing and our freshman, Jordan Talley, had 114 yards. We got it started then, and that was good to see.”
Q: What is your approach to the injury situation on the offensive line in the way you want to help motivate the guys to keep working hard?
A: “Our offensive line coach, Aaron Best, really works us the entire time, so there is no fear that people are going to work their hardest and give 100 percent of their effort all the time. The injury situation is tough, but you can’t really feel sorry for yourself. It’s going to happen sometimes and it’s a rough situation with Steven, Ashton and Jase all going down – all guards. We’re pretty thin, but whoever we stick in there will know the plays and we will do everything we need to get it done.”
Q: How does it feel to finally be back at The Inferno after the start the team has had?
A: “It’s going to feel great -- even just practicing, you feel more comfortable out there. It’s hard having three away games, not having very many of your fans with us and not being able to play on that red turf. I’m really excited to come back and play at home and play in front of a home crowd. We’ll have people actually cheering for us – I’m excited to be back on the field.”
Q: After losing 30-7 last year to Montana State, how does the team expect to atone for last year’s loss?
A: “Besides saying that we’re going to win, I would like to think everyone gets a little more pumped up with that loss last year. And having to share the Big Sky title with them should put a little anger in people’s eyes, on top of being 0-3 right now. People will be coming out with more toughness and swag on their shoulders trying to atone for that loss last year.”
Q: Who was your childhood hero?
A: “My dad -- I look up to him in every way. He motivates me and gets me going for everything. He’s the one that I look up to.”
Q: If you could be one player or coach in the NFL, who would it be?
A: “Jeff Saturday from the Indianapolis Colts”
Q: Does being on the football team affect how you act outside the playing field and locker room?
A: “I am still going to be who I am. But the one difference I would say is that I can’t do things as openly -- you have to kind of know your surroundings. You are a part of the Eastern Eagles and know you have to make sure people look fondly on you. We represent the school and you have to represent Eastern in a good way.”
Q: What made you decide to be a social studies major?
A: “I like being around kids. When I’m a teacher I would like to affect the lives of kids – that’s the biggest thing. I also want to be a coach, and that goes along with it.”
