Tyler Sexton to play football at Mars Hill University

Family, faculty, teammates and coaches gathered at Owen High School Feb. 16 to watch senior Tyler Sexton signed a letter of intent to play football at Mars Hill University.

Sexton, who played wide receiver and cornerback for the Warhorses under head coach Nathan Padgett, hopes to focus primarily on offensive for the Lions.

"Playing college football is what I've always wanted to do since I started playing," Sexton said. "I'm honored that Mars Hill decided to consider me as a player."

Padgett, who coached Sexton in each of the last two seasons, described the speedy 5-foot-10, 160-pound skill position player as one of the Warhorses' leaders last season.

"His character, dedication and commitment to excellence on and off the field was outstanding," Padgett said. "Our Warhorse family is very proud of Tyler and what he's accomplished here."

As a junior Sexton played in nine games for the Warhorses, recording one reception for 4 yards. His involvement in the offense increased significantly this senior season when his speed on the outside helped him haul in a team-leading six touchdown receptions.

"My junior year I played mostly defense because we had some good senior receivers that year," he said. "I had a lot of fun as a senior, and I was able to put up better numbers."

Sexton played in all 10 games for the Warhorses last season, hauling in a team-high 26 passes for 500 yards. His signature performance for Owen came in September when he caught seven passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns on the road against rival Reynolds High School.

Padgett told the crowd gathered to watch Sexton sign with the Lions that Mars Hill was getting "a good football player but an even better person."

Mars Hill went 6-5 last year, winning four games in a row to end the season.