CABOT, Ark. — It’s Senior night in Cabot and quarterback Charlie Powell admitted that it's bittersweet.
"Kind of sad, but more exciting than anything,” he explained.
Normally the Panthers are running to make a great catch or pick off a pass, but this morning they’re walking to make that perfect handoff.
Powell, along with fellow seniors Hayes Cox and Gunner Poe, joined the growing tradition in Cabot of surprising teachers who had the biggest impact on them in school with their jerseys.
According to Cox, he chose a teacher to gift his jersey to "because she made the class really exciting, and she made it fun.”
His QB Powell is used to putting up big numbers on the field, but surprising his calculus teacher Christy Rogers was his biggest play yet. Powell believes educators don't get the attention they deserve year-round and this was a unique way to highlight the difference they make.
“You know these teachers don’t get enough recognition. They just influence our lives every day and the way they make changes in everyone’s lives,” he described.
Teachers and coaches alike received jerseys— recently Mike Sprawls made the transition from astroturf to administration. However, this morning it was senior Gunner Poe who called an audible on his former Coach and mentor.
"[He had a] huge impact on my life for the past two years and he was my coach for my sophomore and junior year. Coach Sprawls has always had a special place for me in his heart and accepted me for who I am,” Poe said.
Cabot takes on North Little Rock this Friday on Senior Night.