When your number gets called, you have to be ready. 

That's exactly when Zach Powell did when he got the opportunity to be the lead Shark in the Nature Coast backfield.

Powell stepped into the starting spot at running back and led Nature Coast to a 44-14 spring game win over Palm Harbor University.

The rising senior's big day in a different role shows you the versatility of an athlete who could be a star player both plays coming up this year for the Sharks.

“I’m always ready to come through for my team,” Powell said.  “I’m going to give everything I’ve got, put my life on the line for it.  And I hope they just give me the best in return."

With starting running back Mike Weston out with a pulled hamstring, Powell proved he can be the lead back if he's needed to be in the Sharks high octane run game.

Powell rushed for 215 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries, including a 51-yarder, to cap what Nature Coast’s new head coach, Cory Johns, called an
"outstanding spring".

“Really, I think it shows how smart our team is to be able to bounce around,” Nature Coast head coach Cory Johns said.  “And play a bunch of positions and be able to do that and not have too many mistakes.”

A new coach won’t change Nature Coast’s offensive philosophy too much.

The Sharks have racked up more than 9,400 yards and 123 touchdowns on the ground the past two years combined, and they may be able to keep that type of production coming in 2017 with a nice one-two punch in Weston and Powell.

Powell has no problem with getting more carries.

“I would like it a lot,” Powell said.  “The more, the merrier.  So let’s just keep it going.”

“He’s going to touch the ball on offense quite a bit as well, whether we throw it to him or hand it to him,” Johns said.  “He’s just a special football player.  I can’t believe he doesn’t have any Division I offers right now.  But he will.  He’s a Division I athlete.  He’s unbelievable.  He’s just a great kid, too.”

Powell’s main contributions usually come on defense, where he topped 100 tackles rotating between the linebacker and safety spots last year.

He’s expecting to play both ways this fall and determined to be in tip-top condition to handle the heavy load.

“I just try to go as hard as I can in practice.  Just full speed everything.  I don’t miss any reps.  Just keep going.  And it translates to the game."

Powell’s non-stop motor and positive attitude have rubbed off on the rest of the Sharks squad, which has already proven itself to Coach Johns coming out of the spring.

“They’ve bonded together, and they’ve kind of just got that team unity,” Johns said.  “And they’re ready to go.  So we’re going to be pretty good.  We’ve just got to keep everybody healthy and keep getting better.”

Powell has proven that the Sharks could still be a force to be reckoned with even if injuries arise.