Owen football to open season

The Owen Warhorses take the field this week as they open the 2015 season on the road against the Enka Jets at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21.

The Warhorses’ new head coach Nathan Padgett had the opportunity to see his team in live action last week when Owen hosted scrimmages against East Henderson and Pisgah.

With 14 seniors on the roster, several underclassmen shined against East Henderson. Sophomore running back Sidney Gibbs and junior Cyrus Hooper each had impressive runs behind the undersized Warhorse line.

“The two things that I was looking for was effort and how the kids competed,” Padgett said following the scrimmage against East Henderson. “I saw those two things from them”

Padgett added that the team “still has a long way to go,” as the season gets underway, leading him to look for continued improvement.

“I expect to see us be a typical, physical Warhorse football team, and I think we saw that (against East Henderson),” he said. “They’re still getting adjusted to my style, as opposed to Coach Ford’s style.”

The players responded well to their new coach during summer work-outs, Padgett said. He was encouraged to see many of them play physically against a larger East Henderson team.

“It’s exciting to see how this team is coming together,” he said.

Owen Warhorses 2015 –16 schedule

Aug. 21 - Owen @ Enka

Aug. 28 - Tuscola @ Owen

Sep. 4 - Reynolds @ Owen

Sep. 18 - Owen @ McDowell

Sep. 25 - Owen @ Avery

Oct. 2 - Mitchell @ Owen

Oct. 9 - Owen @ Mountain Heritage

Oct. 16 - Madison @ Owen (Homecoming)

Oct. 22 - Owen @ Hendersonville

Oct. 30 - Polk @ Owen (Senior Night)

Nov. 13 - Opening of playoffs

All games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.