Kirk’s Captain Corner is a regular feature that allows Carver County residents to get to know the student-leaders of the various teams in area high schools. Today, we feature senior Captain Carter Powers of the Chaska football team.
Chaska is coming off a strong season, getting second place in the section last year. How is the team poised to take the next step this year?
We’re a really connected group. A lot of us have been playing together for years, so the chemistry is there. And we’ve got some younger guys — sophomores and juniors — stepping up and making real contributions.
You played football throughout your youth but took a break early on in high school before coming out again last year. What motivated you to re-join the team?
I stepped away to get bigger and reset. Coming back, the biggest motivation was playing with my friends again and helping this team make a run at state.
What have you enjoyed the most about this specific group of guys?
It’s a really fun team, with a lot of my really good friends. Being able to play alongside them every Friday night is awesome.
You are close friends with many of the guys on the State Championship basketball team – how is their performance last year motivating you for this football season?
I grew up with a lot of those guys, and we played on the same team since second grade so seeing how hard they worked and what they accomplished definitely pushes me. It makes me want to match that in football and do something special with our football team.
In just one varsity season, you gained a lot of attention from college coaches. You’ve committed to play at the next level at Bemidji State. What is it about their program that made it such a great fit?
The coaches there believed in me from the start. They were the first to offer, and when I took my official visit, the guys were great. It felt like the kind of group I could see myself being part of.
Both your parents were college athletes — including your dad who played college football. What lessons are they giving you about playing at the next level?
My parents taught me to work hard, stay dedicated, and don’t quit when things get tough.
What does it mean to you to be a team captain?
To me, being a captain means guys look at you when things get tough, when they are getting tired. It means setting the example, keeping and pushing through even when it’s hard.
The Chaska Hawks football team plays their first home game on Friday, Sept. 18 against Hastings.
