Princeton football fans appreciate it Power of Will. They root for Power of Will. They don’t want to see Power of Will play all over.
Don’t worry, he understands.
Powers is a two-time All-Ivy League player for the undefeated and nationally ranked Princeton Tigers. There are four games per game this season, roughly one game per as many hours of practice each week. What he does in those small spaces is what makes him special.
He knows how important a strong player is to a football team. He knows how important a strong player is to THIS football team.
It runs in the family.
• • •
When Powers hits the field this Saturday in a home game against Dartmouth, it will be at Powers Field. It was not a coincidence. His father, William (Bill) Powers ’79, was an All-Ivy League player who made a $10.5 million gift to Princeton to fund the FieldTurf playing field inside Princeton Stadium.
Bill Powers played a role in getting his son to Princeton, but it may not be the role you expect. The youngest of five siblings, Willie said his father did not force him to choose his school. He provided any fatherly guidance and advice Will sought during the process, but the decision was up to the son.
The direct influence of the father came years ago, when his son realized that his kicking ability as a soccer defender could translate well to the football field.
“When I started throwing and kicking in middle school, he would take me outside and we’d work on my skin for hours, just trying to perfect that,” he said. “He set a lot of records, and it was a good competitive relationship. He pushed me because of what he was able to achieve as a football player. It was very special to give me advice based on things. he did.”
Will received the Adidas All American award as a runner at Choate Rosemary Hall, and he spent many weekends playing his own sport and then traveling with his father to Princeton games on Saturdays. Those trips built his own bond with the program and the current players, and that’s the bond that made him choose Princeton.
Team communication was important to Powers. He spent one year of high school devoted entirely to tennis, even traveling to Barcelona to train and compete. By his second year, he was back on the field.
“The individual nature of the game has no precedent for me,” Powers said. “Your wins and losses are independent, and in fact even independent. The team side of football has always been me.” uh, and I think that’s what brought me back.”
And he was finally brought to a Princeton team that is aiming for the main goal in 2022.
• • •
Most of us have kicked a ball before thinking about it. However, the margins of success for a hacker are thin and require both dedication and skill. Powers focuses on three things to achieve success in his craft.
“The best thing is to be quick,” he said. “We’ve got guys who rush us as fast as they can, especially on the edge, so you get 2.2 seconds off the top. Second, the The drop is very important. If it’s a millimeter, I can get away with it. Two to three millimeters, you’re playing with fire. That drop needs to be the same every time you get it. the higher the perimeter of the punt. Third is the layup. You don’t want that ball in the middle of the field.”
2.2 seconds. 2-3 millimeters. Given a specific area of the field. You are being rushed. There are limited opportunities to do your job, and if you do something wrong, the blame falls squarely on you.
Not so easy, right?
But Powers has been really good since he got the starting job as a freshman. He averaged 40.9 yards per punt over his career, which would be the second-best mark in Princeton history. Of his 93 points, 28 were inside the 20, and 28 were straight. Seventeen have gone over 17 yards.
The numbers are impressive, but the impact on the team is what matters to him.
“You only get a few chances in the game, so you really have to lock in an expert on each play,” Powers said. “I have 119 other guys around me. It’s a very independent situation, but my team supports me. I’m trying to keep them as far as possible to help the defense. .”
Its impact is felt and observed.
“Will plays in a position that may not get a lot of recognition, but his impact every week is huge,” the head coach said. Bob Surace said. “Not only did he change the position of the field when we backed up, but he did a fantastic job of pinning the enemy inside their territory.”
Powers knows Surace believes in him, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to throw him out on fourth down. It’s an impressive move for a driver in a violent and successful violation. For all the preparation you do in your role, you know that the better your team is, the more limited your chances are to play.
For example, if it’s 4th and 1, well, Powers will be ready … but won’t exactly roll onto the field hoping to catch the Surace nodded.
“4 and 4 is probably a pretty good indicator for the gray zone as to whether he’s going to score or not,” Powers said. “Between Ryan Butler and our offensive line, I have a lot of confidence that we can get those yards. I want my team to do well, but I also spend so many hours at my job that I want to go out and pursue what I love to do. I never expect my team not to get first place.”
“But it’s probably a big hit, I don’t care about another hit,” he added with a laugh.
Powers, a socialite and International who is interested in business after his football career, has many great leadership roles. He also had a 7-0 record in his three seasons as a starter. The 8-0 feeling eluded him, and he couldn’t be happier than to get that experience this weekend.
“We’re focused on getting this game done on time,” Powers said. “The best thing is to stay humble, but believe in the reason we are here.”
