Football: Powell talks about bowl game preparations

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Moreno Valley Rancho Verde linebacker Ronald Powell, among the handful of Southland stars preparing to compete in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, took a few minutes out of his busy schedule today to speak with The Times by phone.

Players arrived in San Antonio on Sunday and have been touring the city in addition to preparing for the game. Powell is rooming with Gardena Serra receiver-defensive back Robert Woods, who Powell described as ‘a great guy.’

Although Woods is bound for USC and Powell is deciding between the Trojans and Florida, Powell said none of the players headed to either school has put pressure on him to join them. Asked about wearing what appeared to be a Cardinal-colored shirt underneath his practice jersey, Powell said, ‘Those were Rancho Verde colors, baby!’

Powell played linebacker this season for the Mustangs to help fill a void, but he is projected as a major star at defensive end in college. He has returned to his natural position this week and said he has enjoyed it immensely.

Powell said he ‘blew it up’ in a skills challenge that included an obstacle course and races. ‘I never lost,’ he said.

Although the players have had an action-packed schedule, Powell said his favorite part of the week so far has been ‘just hanging out back at the hotel with all these great players.’ He said he anticipates his level of play rising during the game that starts at 10 a.m. PST Saturday and will be televised nationally by NBC because of all the talent surrounding him.

‘Going up against the best of the best, it’s been real good,’ he said.

--Ben Bolch