Drew Powell, the former CIAA offensive player of the year while playing quarterback at Livingstone, has received a similar award while leading the Iowa Barnstormers to the 2018 championship in the Indoor Football League (IFL).
Powell (6-3, 220), who set 11 school records and four conference records while playing for the Blue Bears, continued his productive play as a pro, throwing for 1,604 yards and 34 touchdowns with just four interceptions while leading the Barnstormers to a 13-3 record and winning the league’s MVP award.
He capped his incredible sea-son leading a come-from-behind 42-38 win Saturday over the Sioux Falls Storm in a thrilling IFL title game, dubbed the United Bowl.
With his team trailing 38-35 heading into its final drive, Powell, led the ‘Stormers down the field in less than three minutes for what proved the be an exhilarating game-winning drive. It was capped by a bruising and dramatic Jamal Tyler touchdown run with just 13 seconds left.
The ‘Stormers championship banner will join existing division and conference championship banners, in addition to the one that NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner won for the barnstormers.
“All this stuff that’s going on, it’s going to pass by,” said Powell. “Some people might not know who the Iowa Barnstormers 2018 team was, but when you come in this arena and you look up at the rafters, it goes down in history. So for me to go down in history with these guys — you can’t even make up dreams like this. I’m just thankful.”
The IFL is a six-team league located primarily in the Midwest. The title game was played in Des Moines, Iowa.
Wide Receiver Ryan Ballentine won the championship game MVP award with 91 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
“I love throwing to him, he’s been great all season,” Powell said of Ballentine. “I just can’t help but be happy for him, because he’s been in this league a long time, and he finally got his.”
But Powell could easily have been given the award.
The dual-threat quarterback was 12-for-16 for 178 yards and four touchdowns. He ran for another 48 yards and a touchdown. The crowd was chanting “MVP” after Powell found the end zone to give the Barnstormers the lead late in the third quarter.
“He deserved the MVP chant. Everything we do is around him,” said Iowa head coach Dixie Woo-ten. “The way we run the football, the way we throw the football, the way he takes care of the football. We wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for him.”
A threat running the ball, Powell rushed for an IFL leading 945 yards and 23 touchdowns. Powell’s 945 single season rushing yards were second most in IFL history.
Missing two games during the season due to a stint in the Canadian Football league (CFL), Powell was named IFL Offensive Player of the Week three times during the season and topped 90 yards rushing in six games.
Following the season, Powell was named First Team All-IFL QB.
Powell joined the Iowa Barnstormers for his second season in the IFL. He made his rookie debut last season with his championship game opponent, the Sioux Falls Storm, appearing in nine games where he also contributed as wide receiver.
Powell spent the later part of the 2017 season with the Nebraska-ka Danger, appearing in the final four games of the season where he completed 57 of 105 passing attempts for 573 yards and six touchdowns. Powell also scored 13 rushing touchdowns.