CLINTON —Powell footballquarterback Jaylon Benjamin needed only three minutes to take control of the Panther offense.
Benjamin, a transfer from Clinton, supercharged the high-powered unit from 2025 in his first start as Powell outlasted Anderson County in a 56-44 shootout on Aug. 20. In his first drive, he delivered a 36-yard touchdown right into the open arms of his receiver Merron Middleton.
"I feel like I just showed what I've been able to do the whole time," Benjamin told Knox News. "I knew we were coming out with a win."
The senior showed out with 254 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-24 passing for Powell (1-0). Most of those targets went to senior receiver, DeZion Jackson. The 5-foot-10 speedster caught nine passes for 213 yards and two
scores.
"We've been at it since we were young," Jackson said about his chemistry with Benjamin. "We've always had that chemistry. That's my best friend. It showed today."
While Benjamin's arm got plenty of work, his legs brought back shades of former Powell quarterback Deuce Rodgers. He finished with five carries for 59 yards, including a surprising 61-yard burst that led to a touchdown in the first quarter.
"I just knew not to get caught," Benjamin said.
Powell football coach Matt Lowe was ecstatic after taking down one of the top Class 4A teams in the state in Anderson County (0-1). Although both teams combined for 100 points and over 1,000 yards of offense, the Panthers' defense recovered three fumbles and two interceptions
"Anderson County is going to do that to a lot of teams," Lowe said. "Credit to Anderson County. We didn't give them anything. You want to celebrate the things that happened well with all the turnovers, but we've got to figure out how to get off the field on third or fourth down."
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Powell football stars Jaylon Benjamin, DeZion Jackson were brilliant in opener
