Powers Coach Looks to Take His Alma Mater to State Championship

It was a proud day for coach Jerry Todd when he took the helm as Powers Catholic High School football coach 4 years  ago. Not only does Todd love the the sport, but after 25+ years of coaching the game he was finally coming home to Powers. Now he is just one game away from heading to Ford Field and playing for the state title.

Todd, who played football for and graduated from Powers in 1985, began his coaching career at Grand Blanc back in 1990 coaching from the middle school level on up. After 14 years with the district, of which he is currently a teacher at Grand Blanc East Middle School, Todd moved on to lead the Bendle Tigers football team as their varsity coach for 6 seasons. Coach Todd then found his way back  to Grand Blanc as the varsity assistant before finding his head coaching position at Powers, a place that feels like home to the former player.

Adding to his impressive coaching resume, Todd brings personal experience to his players having been member of the Michigan State Football Team and a member of the Rose Bowl Championship Team of 1988. "I've been coaching football a long time and I think it helps to give me some credibility with the players and the parents. But when you get a little bit older you wonder if you still have what it takes to coach a team like Powers. This season has really validated that for me and my staff", says Todd.

Coach Todd notes he sees something special in this years team. Something that has brought them to this point in the season. It's the  determination and relentlessness the team has commenting, "They have been down 6 games this season and have come back to win."  When asked what makes them so unique, Todd says,

"Football is more than just X's and O's. It's a cohesiveness and a chemistry. This team get's that. They aren't just playing for themselves, they're playing for the guy next to them on the field."

For Flint Powers to make it to the state playoffs for the first time since 2015, Todd and his team will have to defeat Detroit Country Day this Saturday. Both teams enter the weekend boasting  stellar seasons with the Chargers at 10-2 and Detroit Country Day 12-0. When asked how important heading to Ford Field would be for him the always humble, yet determined,  Coach Todd says, "Football is football no matter where you play or when, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm pretty excited".

The game kicks off in Howell at 1pm at Parker Middle School.