Eastern high school quarterback, Shaun Powell Jr., triumphs over eligibility controversy, eyes playoffs

WASHINGTON (7News) — A year ago, Eastern High School student Shaun Powell Jr. was told he couldn't play football for the school due to a controversial eligibility ruling.

RELATED | Transcript appears to show Shaun Powell Jr. should be eligible to play QB for Eastern HS

The District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association said Powell's grade point average from a school that he transferred from in Virginia was acceptable in D.C.

RELATED | DC high school football player still deemed 'ineligible', will miss homecoming game

Fast forward to Friday, Powell is celebrating homecoming with his teammates and the 100th anniversary of the school.

Powell, the starting quarterback of the school is ecstatic to be back on the field this year.

"It feels real good being back on the field with my teammates," Powell said. " I feel like everything's coming together.”

Eastern has a lot riding on Friday's game. The school has five wins and four losses on the year and plays a tough HD Woodson team with playoffs right around the corner.

Eastern High School Head Coach Roman Morris told 7News his players are ready.

"Everything is on the line. If we win today, we punch our ticket to the playoffs, we lose, we have to buy tickets to the playoffs," Morris explained.

Powell's dad, Powell Sr., made no bones about it the whole situation. He moved from Emporia, Virginia, and got a job and home in D.C. just so his son would get more exposure by college scouts.

“I'm just fighting for my son. I wouldn’t be going this far with this if my son was wrong at any point,” Powell Sr. said.

RELATED | 'He's more than eligible' | Dad upset after son ruled unable to play QB for DC high school

Powell Jr. said the whole ordeal only added fuel to his fire.

“I’m kind of glad I went through that adversity because it made me stronger. [I'm not] down on myself anymore.”

RELATED | DC high school football player returns to field after controversial eligibility ruling

Powell certainly has turned heads since getting back on the field this season. A few Divison I colleges made the trip to watch the young man play Friday night.