Canton's senior DB's pack
pop with coverage skills

  Canton senior defensive backs Josh Nolen and Ryan Powell are like good insurance agents.

  The pair of hard-hitting, tight-covering DB's offer the Chiefs' blanket coverage in the secondary and they've proven to be dependable no matter how often opposing offenses flood their zones.

  The duo compensate for a lack of tremendous size -- Powell is 5-foot-10, 170 pounds; Nolen is 5-8, 165 -- with fearlessness and speed.

  "They're both very athletic and smart," said Canton head coach Tim Baechler. "They give us a nice security blanket, knowing that every play they line up they're going to do what they're supposed to do."

  Baechler said the secondary standouts' technique, speed and experience make up for any height disadvantages they may encounter.

  "We always talk about how the ball is not caught until it's caught, and they both do a great job of separating the receiver from the ball after the first touch," said Baechler. "They've done a great job of limiting the number of long pass plays we've had against us this year."

  Powell's skills have shone through several times this fall, most notably on a long pass play against Grand Blanc when he prevented a touchdown with an instinctive knock-down of a 40-something-yard pass.

  Nolen made a similar play against Livonia Churchill, stripping the Charger receiver of the ball when it appeared a 30-yard gain was all but a certainty.

  "The things I like best about playing defensive back are shutting down a receiver and getting a pick," said Nolen, a two-year starter. "A lot of times, if you can get a pick, the quarterback will hesitate to throw it your way again."

  "I love playing free safety because I have all the reads and I get to call out the coverages," said Powell, who is also one of the Chiefs' top receivers and a dangerous punt returner. "I like being like a general out there."

  Despite their modest size, both players hit like Mack trucks. Powell delivered one hit in the Chiefs' victory over Salem that nearly shook the stands.

  "Ryan is really good at coverage," Nolen said. "There have been a number times when I see the ball go up in his direction when he's covering one-on-one and I know it's going to work out for us. He knocked away a touchdown pass against CC last year and he did the same against Grand Blanc this season."

  "I love the intensity Josh brings to the field," Powell added. "Sometimes he gets a little crazy, but he's always in the middle of things. He's a good coverage guy and he likes to come up and hit, too."

  Both players agreed that starting as juniors have enhanced their performances this season.

   "I think I have more poise this year after playing a lot last season," Nolen said. "I'm more confident, so I play looser."

  "I'm a lot smarter this year," Powell said. "I have everything down as far as reads. There were times when I was intimidated a little bit last year because I was smaller, but I don't feel that way this year."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Ryan Powell knocked away this potential touchdown pass in the Chiefs' Week 2 victory over Grand Blanc. (Ed Wright photo)