Walter Nolen and the Powell Panthers faced the Page Patriots in the TSSAA Division I Class 5A state championship at W. Max Finley Stadium on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Powell won 42-34. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Walter Nolen’s play during the high school football season certainly stood on its own merit.
The massive 6-foot-4 senior recorded 93 tackles with 28 tackles for loss and 17 quarterback sacks as he helped Powell to the Class 5A BlueCross Bowl championship over Page.
For his dominating play, Nolen is the 5Star Preps Defensive Player of the Year for 2021.
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Nolen, who transferred to Powell just before the start of the season, finished as a consensus top-five prospect nationally and the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect.
He signed with Texas A&M, choosing the Aggies over Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.
But as good as Nolen was individually, the real testament to his ability was the way he helped elevate the level of play of the Powell defense.
The Panthers gave up 134 points in their first four games, but once Nolen got in shape and settled in Powell flipped the switch defensively.
The Panthers allowed just 112 points over the final 11 games and were un-arguably one of the best defenses in the 5Star Preps coverage area.
Powell coach Matt Lowe said Nolen simply made Powell’s defense click.
“Anytime you add somebody with the ability and skill of Walter to a defense it’s going to make everybody better,” said Lowe, who steered the Panthers to the first state football title in school history.
“I saw that group bond together and feed off the energy of one another on the field,” continued Lowe.
“Walter’s energy was a big part of that. He certainly allowed us to do some things with his skill set with the way he was able to control the line of scrimmage from his position.”
Nolen was the focal point of media frenzy in August after transferring to Powell from St. Benedicts at Auburndale, a private school in Memphis.
Nolen admitted it took a couple of games for him to get in playing shape.
“Just me getting in shape made a big difference,” acknowledged Nolen.
He said he weighed “about 350” when the season opened, but was down to “315 or 320” when the Panthers won the state title.
While it took some time physically, Nolen said he meshed with his new school, teammates and community immediately.
“From the first day I got here I could feel the love of everybody,” said Nolen.
High-profile transfers don’t always work out for the individual or team, but Lowe said Nolen and Powell proved to be the perfect fit.
“The connection he made to our kids and the Powell community was huge,” said Lowe.
Nolen fought off injuries to help the Panthers down Page 42-34 in the state championship game.
He recorded six tackles, four tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.
Need more?
The insanely nimble Nolen scored on a 3-yard run against Page, marking the sixth time in eight carries that he scored a touchdown during the season.
Lowe said Nolen’s performance put an exclamation point on a magical season.
“When you see the physical stature of the young man he’s almost a bigger-than-life character,” said Lowe.
“I’ve had some unbelievably gifted kids at a lot of positions, but I don’t know if I’ve had one with his talent.”
PAST WINNERS – 5SP Defensive Players of the Year
2020 – Grey Carroll, Alcoa DL
2019 – Kalib Fortner, Central LB
2018 – Xavier Washington, Central DB
Walter Nolen (1) and the Powell Panthers faced the Page Patriots in the TSSAA Division I Class 5A state championship at W. Max Finley Stadium on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Powell won 42-34. (Photo by Danny Parker)