Lone Star lessons shape Ty Powers' path to SEMO

SEMO's Ty Powers kicks a field goal for his team at the Rowdy Bowl on Saturday, April 20.

Nathan Gladden ~ ngladden@semissourian.com

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — In the world of college football, where million-dollar facilities and high-priced kicking coaches are the norm, Ty Powers took a different path. 

He turned YouTube tutorials into his playbook, sweat equity into a Division I opportunity, and a small-town Texas field into a launching pad. 

Now, the former Kelly High School star is back in the Show Me State, ready to make his mark with Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.

Ty Powers kicks a field goal for Trinity Valley Community College this past season.

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“We love everything about [Powers]” said SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz. “He's been raised well, comes from a good program, and has undeniable talent. But what truly made me fall in love with him was his drive. He went down to junior college in Texas and literally willed himself into a guy that we wanted to compete for our job.

“Most kickers will spend all this money on coaches and training, but he did it through YouTube, coaching himself,” Matukewicz continued. “We're incredibly impressed with how driven he is to be great."

For Powers, the allure of Division I football wasn't the only factor that influenced his decision to transfer. A deep-seated yearning to play closer to home, surrounded by the support of his loved ones, ultimately led him to SEMO.

Ty Powers kicks a field goal for Trinity Valley Community College this past season.

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"Getting back to a distance where my family could come watch me play was the biggest factor during my time at TVCC," Powers said. "Going that far away really opened my eyes to what's important to me, and the Lord answered my prayers.”

The opportunity to share his passion for football with his family in the stands, he believes, will only fuel his drive and determination on the field.

But before his dreams could become a reality, Powers found himself in an unlikely setting – Trinity Valley Community College, a world removed from the glitz and glamour of major college football. It was here, in the heart of Texas football country, that he faced the challenges of junior college life head-on, honing his skills and embracing the relentless pursuit of excellence that would become his trademark.

“Trinity Valley was a game-changer for me, both as a person and as a kicker," Powers said. "It was a town where football was everything, and being away from home forced me to grow up and lean on my faith. I truly believe that experience helped me make the jump. When I got my priorities straight, my performance on the field followed."

The journey at Trinity Valley wasn't always smooth sailing. Powers redshirted his first year, a decision that initially tested his patience but ultimately proved invaluable. 

"Sitting and taking my redshirt was very difficult for me, but it was the biggest blessing for me," Powers said. "The amount of things I learned and the people I spoke to helped me dramatically."

The redshirt freshman season at Trinity Valley was an unexpected detour,  but Powers didn't let the setback deter him. He embraced the opportunity to learn, immersing himself in the unique culture, where grit and determination were as essential as cleats and helmets.

‘JUCO football is a gritty place, especially in Texas where football is king,” Powers said.  “I had to do a lot of hard things. The long hot summer days where you had to grind things out really set the tone for each fall and prepared my mentality and the standard of how I should be performing.”

The late Bill Neal, a revered figure in the Trinity Valley Community College football program, served as a mentor and guiding light for Powers during his formative years. Sadly, Neal passed away at the age of 82 in September 2023, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion for the sport.

"Coach Neal was more than just a coach," Powers said. “He prepped me for every scenario and he is the reason for the way I go about my business and my mentality.”

Powers' relentless pursuit of perfection wasn't confined to the practice field. He meticulously analyzed every aspect of his kicking, dissecting his form frame by frame through video recordings and seeking out insights from other kickers online.

"I became a student of the game," Powers said. "I knew I wasn't the biggest or strongest kicker, so I had to be smarter. I watched a lot of YouTube and pulled a lot of stuff off Twitter. I would record myself when I would go kick, and then break everything down when I got home. That was the biggest improvement tool I had. When I would find an inconsistency I would focus on that area for the next couple of weeks and hammer it until I felt comfortable with the movement.”

Powers' relentless commitment and unconventional approach to training paid off in spades. During his sophomore season at Trinity Valley, he emerged as a model of consistency, his kicks finding their mark with remarkable precision. He converted 13-for-17 of his field goal attempts, and 38-for-39 of his extra point attempts, scoring 77 total points and showcasing the accuracy that would become his calling card.

His standout performance included a flawless game against Navarro, a feat that garnered national attention and solidified his reputation as one of the premier kickers in junior college football.

“My goal is to be the most accurate kicker in the Ohio Valley Conference and in the country,” Powers said. “I finished at the top in the NJCAA and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do at SEMO.”

This success served as validation for Powers' unorthodox methods, proving that sometimes, the most unlikely paths can lead to extraordinary destinations.

Powers recently donned a Redhawks jersey for the first time during the SEMO Spring Game. The experience was a homecoming of sorts, allowing him to display his skills in front of a supportive crowd eager to witness the fruits of his labor and the transformation he had undergone since his days at Kelly.

“The spring game was an awesome opportunity to recreate my identity within the town,” Powers said. “The experience was great and only gets me more excited for how Saturdays will be in the fall. Putting on that jersey for the first time gave me a sense of relief, knowing that I’ve put in the work and the only thing left to do is perform and compete.”

As he prepares for his inaugural season with the Redhawks, Powers finds solace in the camaraderie of the team.

"The staff has been nothing but great to me," he said. "I've gotten close with [SEMO assistant] coaches Madison Bunch and Connor Benado, and I've definitely found my group of guys in the special teams room, especially with [defensive back] Trel Riley and [linebacker] McCoy Casey, who came with me from TVCC." 

For Powers, stepping onto the field for SEMO is about more than just kicking a football. It's about carrying the hopes and dreams of a community on his shoulders, about showing that even a kid from a small town with unconventional methods can achieve greatness at the highest level. It's about proving that hard work, perseverance, and faith can conquer any obstacle.

“What I am most looking forward to is being able to represent Cape Girardeau and Kelly High School,” Powers concluded. “Being able to represent my father and the rest of the community at Kelly is a blessing.”