Caden Mobley shifts soccer career to Mars Hill University
Tenacious Owen senior and assist leader to partner with teammate and leading scorer
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 23, 2026
Teammates and coaches surround Owen senior Caden Mobley, May 22, as he celebrates signing with the Mars Hill University soccer program. Photo by Fred McCormick
The job of Caleb Mobley was seemingly never finished, with or without the ball, as he constantly darted around the midfield throughout his Owen High School soccer career.
That work will continue at the collegiate level, as the senior, surrounded, May 22, by family, coaches and teammates, became the second Warhorse to sign with Mars Hill University in less than three weeks.
Mobley, Owen’s co-captain and assist leader last fall, will join his fellow co-captain and the program’s top scorer, Spencer Woolley, in Madison County.
“This has been my dream since I was a little kid, it feels awesome to see it come true,” Mobley said. “I never thought I’d be where I am, so this really means a lot to me.”
The attacking midfielder was a key player on a Warhorse team that finished the 2025 season with a 13-4-1 mark, advancing to the second round of the state playoffs. Mobley assisted on 17 goals, while striking 7 of his own. His shifty style of play led to a career-high 6 points, earned on 2 goals and 2 assists, in a season opening victory against East Henderson, followed by a 4-assist performance against Avery, later in the campaign.
While his ability to control the ball and set the tempo of the attack reflected on the stat sheet, Mobley’s real contribution was his tenacity, according to Owen head coach Trei Morrison.
“His work rate is incredible,” the coach said. “We like to play with a lot of pressure, defensively, and he just epitomizes that. He’s really been the key to our transition to the press, with his work off the ball these past two years.”
The player’s willingness to do what was necessary to execute the gameplan made him an indispensable weapon for the Warhorses.
“He knows we want the ball, and when we don’t have it he hunts it down, incessantly,” Morrison said. “He is constantly looking for opportunities to help us out there, and that kind of commitment isn’t something you can really teach.”
Owen’s leader in assists, Caden Mobley, left, and top scorer, Spencer Woolley, will partner at Mars Hill University, where both student-athletes will join the Lions soccer program. Photo by Fred McCormick
Mobley, who also competed for the Owen basketball team, began playing soccer when he was around 4 years old. From that moment, he said, his passion for the sport was obvious.
“I really do love this game,” he said. “Every aspect of it is so much fun to me. When I’m not doing anything, I still think about soccer, so it’s been a pretty constant part of my life for a long time.”
As he considered the prospect of competing at the collegiate level, Mobley was impressed by his experience at Mars Hill University.
“The coaching staff was great, and they helped me a lot with the process,” he said. “I met players from the soccer program when I visited the campus, and the whole school and team gave me a really good vibe.”
From the perspective of Morrison, who coached the Lions from 2000 to 2005, the former Owen standout will bring a “level of understanding of the game” to his new team, which competes in the NCHSAA Division II South Atlantic Conference.
Caden Mobley and Spencer Woolley, who will continue their careers at Mars Hill University, celebrate a goal for the Warhorses. Photo by Fred McCormick
“And, again, that work rate,” he said. “Obviously, Caden has the talent to compete at that level, but his mentality will bring that work ethic that every program wants and needs.”
Easing Mobley’s transition to the collegiate level will be his familiarity with Woolley, who signed, May 7, with Mars Hill.
“We’ve been playing together forever, and we’ve always been a good duo,” Mobley said. “I play the ball to him, and he finishes it, so it’s going to be great having him there.”
The student-athlete credits Morrison with helping him grow, “as a player and as a person,” during his tenure with the Warhorses. The coach is proud to see Mobley and Woolley represent his program, “just up the mountain.”
“Mars Hill hit the jackpot,” Morrison said. “These are not just two quality players, they are two quality people. They will both enhance that program, and I’m excited to see them do that.”
For Mobley, the opportunity to continue playing the game he loves is the realization of a “dream come true.”
“I’ve always wanted to keep playing this game after high school, for as long as I can,” he said. “I’m really grateful that Mars Hill is giving me that chance.”