1992 Bobby Dodd National Back of the Year
Ron Powlus, Berwick High School (Berwick, Pennsylvania). QB 6’4″ 212 lbs.
Since he became head coach in Berwick in 1971, Coach George Curry has had 10 quarterbacks sign full scholarship offers to play college football.
But it’s his 11th quarterback who has Curry – and just about everybody else -talking.
Curry’s 11th quarterback is Ron Powlus, who set 20 school and state records this year in leading his team to a 15-0 season, a Pennsylvania AAA championship and the USA TODAY national high school championship.
Powlus, who is 6-4, 212 pounds, was a passing, running and scoring machine in his career at Berwick.
Take a look at these numbers:
In 1992, Powlus completed 160 of 286 passes for 2,930 yards and 31 touchdowns – four of those touchdown passes coming in the 33-6 victory for the state champion-ship. Powlus also carried the ball 110 times for 672 yards and 20 touchdowns, kicked 45 extra points and scored one two-point conversion. He personally accounted for 3,600 yards and scored 167 points – and that doesn’t include his 31 touchdown passes.
His career statistics are equally stagger-ing. He completed 444 of 795 passes for 7,339 yards and 62 touchdowns and ran 390 times for 1,679 yards and 45 touch-downs. He scored 385 points in his career and was 37-5 as a starting quarterback.
How good is Powlus?
“Every recruiter who has seen this kid, and I’m talking about guys who have been in football for years, tell me he is the best high school quarterback they have seen coming out of Pennsylvania,” said Curry. “And there have been some great ones, players like Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Joe Namath and Terry Hanratty. The people telling me this about Ron are football men who have seen them all, including a couple of NFL scouts.”
What is Powlus’ secret?
“He has a million-dollar release,” re-plied Curry. “He has great touch and me-chanically he is flawless. Besides having all the physical skills, Ron is an A-student who really knows and loves the game of foot-ball.
“A lot of great players don’t like to work at it,” continued Curry. “Ron enjoys the game of football, whether it is practice or a game. He has a tremendous knowledge of the game.
“If I got taken out and I needed some-one to run our offense, he’d be the one. He has absolutely mastered our system and has a tremendous knowledge of how the game works.”
Powlus has made everyone’s all-state and all-American teams and has had recruiters swarming. As of late January, Powlus had decided to visit Pittsburgh, Penn State, Miami and Notre Dame.
Statistics:
1992: Completed 160 of 286 passes for 2,930 yards. Passed for 31 TDs. Rushed 110 times for 672 yards and 20 TDs. Kicked 45 extra points. Amassed 3,600 total yards and scored 167 points.
Career: Completed 444 of 795 passes for 7,339 yards. Passed for 62 TDs. Rushed 390 times for 1,679 yards and 45 TDs. Scored 385 points. Compiled 37-5 record as a starting quarterback.