In three days, winter will officially arrive though one could not always tell by the weather outside.

As the seasons change, one generally reflects on the past and looks forward to what the future brings. 

When we look back at the 2007 version of Powhatan Indians football, we saw a team that week in and week out had to adjust to the adversity of multiple injuries to key personnel yet continued to find a way to win 11 ball games.  We saw several players who are stars in the making and others who continually amaze us with their ability.  But in the end, this team grew over the season as a group and not only learned a lot about itself but what the future could be.

One positive aspect this season was the Indians realized the depth they had on the team, especially at running back, as six different players saw time there due to injuries.  The future presented itself as Shawn Minor grew into a team leader at quarterback and became a dual threat while Josh Morris and Vance Hendren showed speed and toughness from the linebacker position.

There were some great individual performances this season.  Emmett Brown broke the record for receptions in a season with 56 and ended second all-time with 819 receiving yards on the season.  Taron Hampton scored his 54th and final touchdown as an Indian against Lafayette tying Lee Goode’s mark from 1996-1999 while Shawn Minor ended the season with 19 touchdowns passing and 10 rushing.

But despite these individual performances, this team accomplished a first for Powhatan football: three consecutive Regional championships. 

For the seniors on the squad, they have experienced one of the greatest runs in Powhatan history.  In four years, the seniors have compiled at 43-8 record with four consecutive playoff berths, three consecutive Region I titles, three consecutive state semi-final appearances and were state runner-up in 2005.  They have also continued Powhatan’s 36 game winning streak in the Southside District.

Those seniors, some of whom will continue playing in college, have continued the tradition of winning at Powhatan. Since 1994, when Coach Woodson led his first team to a state title game, Powhatan has amassed an astounding 139-31 record winning 81 percent of its games.  That tradition is now the responsibility of Shawn Minor, Tahliek Taliaferro, Jay Jackson and the other underclassman who remain. 

Next season will present its own challenges especially on the offense which will return only three starters.  But that discussion can wait until the heat of August.  For now, the stadium has gone silent for the last time this year. 

Though they did not win a state title, this year’s team showed the heart of a true champion who soldiers on despite the pain and the adversity to succeed in battle.  More importantly, they learned to count on each other and that success depended on the team as a whole and not just on one part.