May 30, 2025
Fueled by Hard Work and Heart, this South Lake High Senior is Primed for Breakout Season
By Kyle Coppola
Fueled by Hard Work and Heart, this South Lake High Senior is Primed for Breakout Season
Keydrick Powell
Keydrick Powell is gearing up for a senior season to remember at South Lake High School, and if his off-season performance is any indicator, Lake County better take notice.
Keydrick’s love for football runs deep. The South Lake standout first laced up his cleats in elementary school, playing little league ball and watching NFL greats like Odell Beckham, Jr. and Malik Nabers with wide eyes. “I fell in love with the game early,” Keydrick says. “I always wanted to be out there, making plays.”
His journey took a big turn during his sophomore year. Originally playing football in Texas, Powell’s family relocated to Groveland, and for a short time, football took a back seat. That is, until one hallway interaction changed everything.
“As soon as I saw Keydrick in the hall between classes I knew he had to play,” recalls South Lake Head Coach Brad Lord. “When we got Keydrick onto the field, he’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever coached. His ball skills are elite, he’s humble and he carries himself with a maturity that’s rare for his age.”
Keydrick answered the call—and made a big impact. He’s coming off a solid season with 500 receiving yards, and he’s not satisfied. With his eyes on a massive 2025 campaign, Keydrick has been grinding through the off-season. He’s been lighting up 7-on-7 tournaments and recently scored an eye-popping 14 touchdowns in a single tournament.
But beyond stat lines and highlight reels, Keydrick’s heart is what makes him truly special. His biggest inspiration? His mom.
“My mom, Pamela Segura, means everything to me,” Keydrick says. “She’s my biggest supporter. No matter what, she helps me stay positive and focused. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
That sense of gratitude extends into his community life as well. When he’s not training or studying film, Keydrick can be found volunteering at Living Hope Church in Clermont, where he’s part of several outreach projects, including Habitat for Humanity.
“We recently painted a house, and being able to give back like that—it’s powerful,” he says. “There’s no better feeling than helping a family in need.”
Keydrick’s impact has gone far beyond the field. He’s proud to be a part of South Lake’s resurgence. After years of rebuilding—including a 0-10 season that predates his arrival—the Eagles are on the rise.
“I wasn’t here during that tough year in 2022, but I see how hard everyone has worked to turn this around,” Keydrick says. “Last year we made the FHSAA playoffs and finished 7-4. This year? We want it all.”
Photos: Nicole Hamel
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
