The cast on Reece Powers’ right hand suggests otherwise but count him ready for a new season.
Powers, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior, operated in the shadow of superstar wideout Terrence Smith last fall for West Aurora but proved to be well-prepared for the glare of Friday night lights.
“Reece (Powers) is one heckuva wide receiver,” Blackhawks coach Nate Eimer said. “He doesn’t get talked about much because we’ve got Terrence, you know?
“I think Terrence is one of the top receivers in the country, but we’ve got some really, really good skill players and Reece is definitely one of them.”
Last season, Power had 16 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns, ranking second on the team to Smith as the Blackhawks (5-5) returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Smith finished with 59 catches for 906 yards and 11 TDs, leading to 16 Division I scholarship offers and outdoing everyone else’s numbers for West Aurora, which clocks in at No. 6 in The Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings.
Eimer has 24 returning players, highlighted by a strong skill group who were either starters or played starting minutes last season, as the Blackhawks return to the Upstate Eight Conference.
“Where we were development-wise when people took Terrence away, we didn’t have a lot of answers,” Eimer said. “Reese and a lot of the other kids came on as the season got going and it’s continued this offseason. People are going to see how talented a skill group this is.”
Powers eyed the cast protecting his right thumb.
“I was pretty happy with 16 catches for my junior year,” he said. “This year, I’m looking to get at least double that.”
The injury happened in practice earlier this summer on a ball from junior quarterback Mason Atkins, who eventually won a three-way battle last season and threw for 1,288 yards.
Powers dove to catch the ball and jammed his thumb — or so he thought.
“At first I was thinking it would be a week, but then I had an MRI,” he said. “I tore two ligaments in my thumb and fractured a bone.”
Powers has had the cast on for about six weeks, and he’s scheduled to have it removed four days before the season opener.
Earlier in a summer 7-on-7 at West Aurora, Powers impressed and received a roster spot offer from the Wisconsin Oshkosh coaches who drove down to watch him play.
Powers is also used on kick and punt returns. He has spoken with coaches from several more NCAA Division III schools. He plans to see what the season brings before making a decision.
“Playing with Terrence, he’s always going to be the top guy,” Powers said. “He’s 6-4 with all those offers. He can go up high and get the ball, especially on the deep ball routes.
“I’m more of a quick, short-route, get-open guy. At times you’re going to need someone on that under route. I was in the slot last year. This year, I’m pretty sure they’re bouncing me outside, inside, trying to get me more touches.”
And 6-3 Kewon Marshall, who had 13 catches last season, will also be a factor.
In the spring, Marshall and Smith finished first and third, respectively, in the high jump at the Class 3A state track meet.
“Reece helps stretch out the field,” Smith said. “He’s a great player, there when you need him for sure, and definitely a standout guy. And then we have Kewon, who’s such and outstanding athlete.
“It’s unfair out there sometimes and helps us open up the defense, gives us more shots to open up the playbook. Throw it up, Kewon is gonna make a play. We’re still building. The sky’s the limit.”
Team: West Aurora.
2023 record: 5-5.
Offensive leaders: Mason Atkins, junior quarterback; Frankie Cicero, senior, offensive lineman; Terrence Smith, senior, wide receiver; Michael Williams, senior, running back.
Defensive leaders: Jaden Edwards, senior, defensive back; Jesse Estrella, senior, defensive lineman; Jayden Garcia, junior, defensive back; Kellen Younie, junior, linebacker.
X-factor: Azuriah Sylvester, senior, running back/defensive back.
