Evergreen Park’s Arshawn Powell was looking for a new football home after spending his freshman year at Southern Illinois.
He spent just two weeks in the NCAA transfer portal before committing to Chicago State’s brand-new program.
“It was an opportunity in my hometown to do what I love,” said Powell, now a redshirt freshman. “Football is what I love. I get to do that in my hometown at a high level and I took the opportunity when (Cougars coach Bobby) Rome presented this to me.”
Powell and his teammates made history on Aug. 29 when they played the first game in Chicago State history, a 44-28 loss to Division II Roosevelt at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
The 5-10, 160-pound receiver caught five passes for 39 yards and a late-game touchdown.
“I’m excited to have Arshawn here at Chicago State,” Rome said. “He’s everything you want in a student-athlete. …
“He’s the definition of what you want with a football program as far as talented athlete, great grades, great young man, very respectable and how he services the community.”
The Cougars have players from across the country, but also have a big Chicagoland contingent.
Besides Powell, other local players include junior offensive lineman Jonah Bosette (Brother Rice), junior quarterback Dontrell Jackson Jr. (Marist) and junior running back Calvin Lee (St. Rita).
“I tell my guys, ‘Love who loves you,’” Rome said. “We want to recruit the South Side of Chicago. We want to recruit kids in Chicago and all around the state of Illinois.”
The first touchdown in school history went to sophomore running back Michael Dabney Jr. in the first quarter, giving the Cougars a brief 7-3 lead.
California native Ashton Panell completed 29 of 40 passes for three touchdowns. Joining Powell with touchdown receptions were Kymari Gray and Mark Harris.
Now that the first official game has come and gone, the Cougars can focus on the next steps of improving. They play an independent schedule this year before joining the Northeast Conference next fall.
What’s on the to-do list?
“Be more attentive to details and the things we are able to see now,” Rome said. “It was the first game and with no preseason, so I am excited and I think we’re going to be a lot better.”
“It felt good to get out here and play against somebody else for the first time,” Powell said. “It feels good knowing our offense got opportunities for everyone — not just me, but (for) our whole team to score.”
He appreciated the support in the stadium.
“It felt good seeing my family and community come rally behind our team,” Powell said. “We’re trying to build.”
“To have that support for Game 1 was amazing,” Rome said. “I wish we could have got the ‘W,’ but at the same time I am proud to be a Cougar today with the support that was in the stands.”