NEWS

Owen defeats West Henderson

Ty Roush
Black Mountain News

BLACK MOUNTAIN - It had been 17 years and one delay of play.

Owen High School opened its football season Fdeb. 26 with a 28-14 win at home against West Henderson High School. It was the first time the two schools had played each other since the 2004-05 season.

Caleb Scott finished with 134 passing yards after completing six of 11 passes to complement 42 yards on the ground in 12 attempts. His two touchdowns, one rushing and one 60-yard fumble return, matched his season-high from the previous season.

Being able to play after pushing the season into the spring wasn't guaranteed for head coach Nathan Padgett, as he opted to honor Owen's seniors during the first game of the season.

"We're excited for the opportunity to just finish the game and play," Padgett said. "Because I feel like we're not guaranteed any game at this point, so to win on this field after our senior day festivities, makes me super proud of those 11 kids who have been here all these years."

In honoring its seniors, Owen also honored former head coach Jim LeVine, who died Jan. 3, and former player Tate Brown, who died last summer from cancer, with two helmet decals.

Owen players wore helmet decals to honor former coach Jim LeVine and former player Tate Brown.

Dequan Boyce led the Warhorses in rushing with 10 rushes for 77 yards and one touchdown and tied for first in receiving with two receptions for 36 yards.

The leadership of the seniors led to the win.

"Caleb was a leader for us last year as a junior, so his leadership, Dequan Boyce played a really great game for us, our other seniors Savoy Harding, Aidan Page, Everett Vale made some big plays on defense," he said. "Really proud of our seniors, but I'm proud of our entire team as well."

Owen follows a 2019-20 campaign after losing four seniors on offense and two on defense, including its two leaders in sacks and Fred Graves, who finished fourth in all-purpose yards.

Caleb Scott runs with the football during Owen's home game vs. West Henderson on Feb. 27, 2021.

In its win over West Henderson, Owen's seniors combined for 86% of the 298 total yards on offense.

Padgett says some preparation is required for next week's matchup against East Henderson High School.

"It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't perfect," Padgett said. "But a win is a win, and we'll take it any way we can. We have a lot to improve on between now and next week, and we've got to get ready for another opponent that runs a very similar offense."