Warhorses run away with 22-7 victory over Patton
Methodical offense and opportunistic defense power Owen to 2-1 record
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 6, 2025
It took a little more than 10 minutes for the Owen offense to march methodically down the field and into the end zone, Sept. 5, on the road in Morganton.
The first quarter touchdown by junior running back Steven Anderson, his first of two against Patton, established an early advantage the Warhorses never relinquished in a 22-7 victory.
Owen improved to 2-1 with a convincing win against the Panthers, in a contest in which they never trailed. After beginning the night with an 8-0 lead at the end of an 80-yard run-heavy possession, the next opportunity came when senior Rio Obispo recovered a fumble in the third quarter on the opponent’s 2-yard-line. Anderson needed only one attempt to storm into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, giving his team a 15-0 advantage.
The Panthers responded quickly by completing a deep pass in the seam, followed immediately by a touchdown scamper from sophomore running back Jet Chatman.
Junior quarterback Emmett Minks proved more than effective at providing breathing room for Owen, which began its subsequent drive on its own 32-yard-line after a shifty kickoff return by senior Hayden Burpeau. Back-to-back completions to junior wide receiver Emerson Autrey extended the possession, before Minks scrambled up the middle and found more room on the sideline to take the Warhorses deep into Patton territory in the final minutes of the third quarter.
Minks connected, again, with Autrey to extend the drive in the early seconds of the final frame, while the quarterback put his team on top for good with a 6-yard touchdown run up the middle. Minks finished the matchup with 8 completions on 9 attempts for 25 yards, while adding 69 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Anderson led the Warhorse ground game with 77 yards on 19 carries and Burpeau finished with 62.
The Owen defense forced three Patton fumbles, finishing the contest with a plus-two turnover ratio to help counter what head coach John Faircloth called “a really good defensive game plan.”
“They made us have to work for it, and took away stuff we really like to do,” he said. “We had to go back, not necessarily to the drawing board, but to figure out how to move the ball. They were committed to not giving up any home runs, so we had to be satisfied with 12- or 15-play drives tonight.”
Players’ ability to adapt on the road was key, he added.
“At the end of the day, we won the God blessed thing,” the coach exclaimed, as his team, huddled in the end zone after the contest, erupted in cheers. “I’d rather be 2-1 than 1-2 seven days a week, and twice on Sundays! And give that an exclamation mark.”
Faircloth urged his players to enjoy an Owen football sweep before the weekend.
“We got a JV win at home last night, we got one today,” he said. “When we get in that locker room we’re going to dance a little bit.”
The coach credited his staff and players for setting the tone in the first quarter.
“Obviously, you might want some more explosive plays, but we were converting nicely on third and fourth downs,” he said. “Once we clean up some of these drive-killing penalties, we can be that team that has 12- to 15-play drives and annoys people. Our kids know that’s who we need to be, and they’re cool with it. Stay ahead of the sticks and make people play us for 48 minutes.”
The Warhorses will face a challenge next week, when they host 1-1 West Henderson at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12. The Falcons, who finished second in the Mountain 7 Conference last season, will come into the contest rested, following a 39-7 loss to Hendersonville, Aug. 29.
“We have to prepare the right way and play with heart and passion,” Faircloth said. “Our kids aren’t naive, they know who West Henderson is and the recent success they’ve had. I have a lot of respect for that program and what Coach (Paul) Whitaker has built there.”
It is the job of Owen coaches and players to be ready for the challenge, he continued.
“Our kids know what we’re going into next week, but they also know it starts with a great week of preparation,” Faircloth said. “We have to be ready to battle, and see what happens. We have a chance to take a really big step with our program next week, regardless of the outcome. That’s the message.”
See photos of Owen’s victory over Patton in the gallery at the top of the page.