Powell moves outside — for a year

CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON Workout regimen: Creston/O-M all-state offensive tackle Roger Powell conducts a summer running workout in preparation for his freshman season at Graceland University.

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CNA sports editor LAMONI — A couple of Panthers are prowling the Yellowjackets’ hive here, hoping to make a contribution to coach Cris Welch’s Graceland University football team. Freshman Roger Powell and sophomore Jesse Huntington are also part of a new era of Graceland football. Visitors to the Bruce Jenner Sports Complex for home football games will be treated to a new look. An artificial field turf has been installed as a part of a face-lift of the football field and surrounding track, thanks to a donation by Graceland alumni Johnny and Sharon Huntsman. “The installment of field turf enhances our program in a number of ways and helps us as a program to recruit top student-athletes,” said Welch. The Yellowjackets open their season by hosting Central Methodist on Saturday. Scheduled kickoff is 6 p.m. Huntington, a running back as a freshman, where he played his prep career at East Union and Creston/O-M, is a 165-pound sophomore now working at cornerback and kick returner. Powell, an all-state offensive tackle for the Panthers last fall, is listed as a 6-3, 270-pound tight end this year. Graceland coaches are waiting for him to grow into the offensive tackle position at the NAIA level. “I put on 20 pounds over the summer,” Powell said. “They had me on a lifting and running program to get ready, four days a week. The emphasis is on balance, core work, as much as possible on the lower body. I need to get to about 300 pounds to play tackle. When I went to an Iowa State recruiting camp, those kids were already 6-5 and about 300 pounds. I got knocked flat a couple times.” Graceland was 6-4 last year, one year after winning the conference championship. Powell will be used as a short-yardage tight end as he waits to work into the tackle rotation his sophomore year. He’s been working hard since last winter, when he had to quit wrestling to undergo shoulder surgery. “I dislocated my shoulder and partially tore a ligament in my last game last season,” Powell said. “I had surgery in January. I’m just excited to start playing again.” The Graceland team also includes receiver Cade Needham and defensive lineman Chad Needham, and wide receiver Josh Winebrenner, all of East Union. The complete Graceland schedule: Sept. 1 — Central Methodist, 6 p.m. Sept. 8 — at Missouri Valley, Marshall, Mo., 6 p.m. Sept. 15 — MidAmerica Nazarene, 6 p.m. Sept. 22 — at Avilia, Kansas City, Mo., 1:30 p.m. Sept. 29 — Baker, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6 — at Culver-Stockton, Canton, Mo., 2 p.m. Oct. 13 — Lindenwood, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20 — at Benedictine, Atchison, Kan., 2 p.m. Nov. 3 — William Jewell, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10 — at Evangel, Springfield, Mo., 1:30 p.m. Nov. 17 — First round playoff Area players on the sidelines this season are: