Warhorses charge to victory in season opener

Owen topples Rosman, 37-14, to kick off 2026 campaign

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 21, 2026

The first week of the 2026 football season had been underway for a little more than two minutes, Aug. 20, when Owen senior running back Stephen Anderson barreled into the bright orange end zone in Rosman’s Silversteen Memorial Stadium. The touchdown was one five scored in the first half by the Warhorses, who opened the campaign with a 37-14 victory over the Tigers.

The Thursday night matchup, rescheduled due to the anticipation of inclement weather Friday, Aug. 21, marked a decisive opening statement by the program, as four Warhorses crossed the goal line.

Owen entered the matchup following a 5-6 showing in 2025, when the team hosted a postseason contest for the first time since 2014. Led by a group of seven seniors, including a quartet of captains featuring quarterback Emmett Minks, running back Stephen Anderson, slot back and linebacker Thomas Russell and offensive and defensive lineman Tanner Loftin, the Warhorses were in control throughout the night.

Anderson, who led the Warhorses in rushing yards as a sophomore and rushing touchdowns a season ago, entered the Rosman end zone twice in the first quarter, establishing a 12-0 lead. Owen strengthened its advantage in the second quarter, when Russell broke a tackle before diving in for his first touchdown of the season.

Less than 30 seconds later, the Owen defense, which forced five Rosman fumbles in the contest, knocked the ball loose, as junior Tye Lewis gathered it and sprinted down the sideline into the end zone. Another junior, Parker Halford, registered his first career touchdown before the end of the first half.

The Tigers responded with a touchdown drive, as the Warhorses entered the half with a 31-8 lead.

While Owen kicked off to open the second half, a forced fumble and recovery by the defense on the first play from scrimmage handed the ball to the offense on its own 49 yard line. Anderson capped the subsequent drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.

With Minks briefly sidelined in the third quarter, the Warhorses struggled to move the ball, turning it over on downs deep in Rosman territory. The defense held its 29-point advantage until the opening minute of the final frame, when the Tigers finished a touchdown drive early in the quarter.

While Owen fumbled the ball three times in the second half, head coach John Faircloth credited his players for finding a way to win the opening contest on the road.

“One of the marks of a good team is not playing great, but still finding a way to win…” he said, as his team gathered in the end zone after the victory. “You guys who have been part of this program and haven’t won a lot in the last couple of years, you know how hard wins are to come by. We will get things fixed.”

Anderson led the rushing attack with 8 carries for 111 yards to go along with 3 touchdowns, while Minks, who completed 2 passes on 4 attempts for 19 yards, recorded 77 rushing yards on 8 carries. Junior Donte Middleton finished the contest with 43 yards on 9 attempts, while sophomore Allijah Raines added 41 yards on the ground.

Anderson credited the players who led the way, including offensive and defensive lineman Cam McDonald, who blocked a field goal attempt in the first quarter, Wyatt Autrey and Loftin.

“I’m really happy that we’re 1-0, obviously, but the thing I’m happiest about is knowing I can trust this offensive line,” Anderson said. “Especially when we have our number one guys out there, but even when we had our younger guys in there, they did pretty dang well.”

Minks, who has won two of three season openers in his career as starting quarterback, was encouraged by his team’s performance.

“It’s always great to start the season off with a win, which isn’t something we have done a lot in the past,” he said. “But, we wanted to come out tonight and set the tone.”

Owen was a little “amped up” early, according to the coach, but recovered quickly.

“We had three penalties in the first five snaps and a misread on their first run play, but as soon as we settled in we played well,” Faircloth said. “We took advantage of some of their mistakes and capitalized, which is always good to see.”

Late turnovers were a concern for the coaching staff.

“The standard is sill the standard no matter who is in the game, so that’s a little disappointing,” Faircloth said. “We were getting some young guys who would normally be playing on a Thursday night some reps and those reps are valuable, so you take the turnovers with a grain of salt. But, it still leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”

The Warhorses will host their home opener at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28, against Cherryville, which defeated Owen, 28-27, last year. Faircloth told his players the early season matchup would provide a “playoff-like atmosphere.”

“The two programs are very similar. Coach (Patrick) Bowman preaches toughness, the same way we do,” Faircloth said. “It’s a program that has stubbed its toe the past decade or so, and now their kids are working through it. The styles are different, but the story is the same.”

Owen can expect an intense test in the second week of the campaign, he added.

“We get to see somebody that nobody else around here gets to see. Nobody else on our schedule plays them,” Faircloth said. “That simulates a playoff game, which is really cool, because, in November, when we play a team from a different part of the state, it won’t be the first time we’ve done it. I’m looking forward to it.”

Photos of the 2026 Owen football season opener can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.