Sacramento Charter High School football player selected for U.S. Marines’ Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jacob Harrer | Captain Edward W. Kay, III (left), commanding officer, U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station Sacramento, and Staff Sgt. William Hafel, IV, recruiter, congratulate Lonny Powell in front of his classmates during a jersey presentation at Sacramento Charter High School, Dec. 10. Powell was selected for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, which features elite football players from across the nation who compete in a nationally-televised game. Powell was selected not only for his athleticism, but also his academics and character. Described as selfless by his coach and fellow teammates, Powell shares touchdowns and plays with his team so that everybody has fun, he said. Powell, who plays running back, wide receiver, and outside linebacker, accepted a scholarship to play at the University of California - Berkeley. The bowl will be nationally televised live on Fox Sports 1 from the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., at 6 p.m. (PST) on Jan. 4, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob H. Harrer / released)  

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

12.12.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Jacob Harrer 

12th Marine Corps District

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A Sacramento High School football player was selected for the prestigious Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl hosted by the U.S. Marines. The game brings together around 100 top players selected from across the country for their exemplary character, academics and athleticism.

Lonny Powell was recognized in front of his classmates and presented with his jersey by U.S. Marines at Sacramento Charter High School, Dec. 10. The Bowl honors selected players who demonstrate the Marine Corps’ commitment to developing quality citizens, and reinforces our core values of honor, courage and commitment, on and off the field.

A versatile player, Powell excels on the field as a running back, wide receiver and outside linebacker. Though only 16 years old for this year's season, Powell was voted team captain and led the Dragons to the third round of the playoffs. Powell committed to University of California - Berkeley and will be attending next year.

"He's the hardest player we have on game day," said head coach Paul Daugherty of Sacramento Charter High School. "He's on the field all the time. He leads the right way. He's incredibly unselfish when it comes to football, statistics and accolades."

Off of his own field, Powell volunteers to coach Pop Warner youth football for the local Vikings team. His family life played a role in developing his caring and sharing attitude, as he had to learn to compromise as the middle child of five boys, as well as four sisters.

During his upbringing, Powell always knew he would play football, as his older brothers also played the sport. He played football at age six for the Vikings Pop Warner team in Sacramento. While in high school, Powell usually spent five days a week in the gym during the off-season, increasing his max squat weight from 260 lbs. as a freshman to 430 lbs. as a senior. He currently stands at 5’11” and weighs 207 pounds. His GPA is 3.03.

Though large and very well-known on campus, Powell remains humble among his classmates. He said he doesn’t like to brag about his accomplishments.

“Boasting is just not my thing,” said Powell. “I feel like if I just focus on my game, then it’s better than going back and forth with everybody else.”

The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl will feature the nation’s best and brightest high school football players and will be nationally televised live on Fox Sports 1 from the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., at 6 p.m. (PST) on Jan. 4, 2015.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2014
• Date Posted: 12.12.2014 21:22
• Story ID: 150248
• Location: SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, US