Three Panthers make first team All State

By Bill Mynatt, Radio Voice of Powell Panther Football on AM 620 WRJZ

    Three members of the state runner up Powell Panthers were named to the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Class 5A All State team, which was released on Thursday evening.  

    Senior record setting running back Dy’shawn Mobley was a lock to make the squad.  Mobley set the Tennessee state record for rushing yardage in 2011, gaining 3,068 yards on the ground – becoming only the second player in history to surpass the 3,000 yard mark.  Mobley also holds 8 Powell school records, including career total offense, career rushing, and career touchdowns, among others.  He is a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky, and will sign a Letter of Intent with the Wildcats on national football signing day – February 1, 2012.

    Panther QB Dustin McPhetridge is a repeat selection on the All State team, as he also was named All State as a junior.  The 6’2” and 230 pound McPhetridge both rushed and passed for over 1,100 yards on the season, and he ran for 12 TDs and threw for another 10.  McPhetridge is expected to choose between football scholarship offers from Murray State, Austin Peay, and UT-Martin.  
    
    The third Panther honored is junior defensive back Jonathan Strozyk.  Despite playing in just over half of the Panther’s 15 games, Strozyk tied the school single season record for interceptions with 7, and he is also tied with his head coach, Matt Lowe, for the school career interception record with 14.  Strozyk underwent knee surgery to repair a torn ACL in October and is expected to be back in time for spring practice.  
    Congratulations to Mobley, McPhetridge, and Strozyk.  All three have represented the Panthers well both on and off the field all season long, and all are very deserved of the honor.  
    Link to the entire Class 5A and 6A All State Teams: 
    http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/dec/22/class-5a-6a-all-state-football-teams/