Owen crowns homecoming queen in loss to Draughn

Warhorses drop to 0-5 in Western Highlads conference opener

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 22, 2024

An evening that culminated with the crowning of a homecoming queen, Sept. 20, ended in a loss, as the Warhorses slid to 0-5, following a loss to Western Highlands Conference foe Draughn.

Owen welcomed the class of 2004, as senior Jaeda Hall was coronated in a halftime ceremony at midfield.

The Warhorses defense entered the contest riding a wave of momentum formed the week before in a 3-0 loss to East Henderson. Sophomore Bear Dasher recorded a sack that ended the Wildcats opening drive, before hauling in an interception to stop Draughn’s second drive.

Owen capitalized on the turnover with a 27-yard field goal by junior Hayden Burpeau to take an early 3-0 lead.

The Warhorses maintained their advantage throughout the first quarter, as Draughn opened the second frame with an 81-yard touchdown drive to pull ahead, 6-3. The Wildcats built a 14-3 advantage before the half.

Draughn added to its lead in the opening minute of the third quarter, extending the lead to 28-3 minutes later. That score held, as the Warhorse offense struggled to contend with the defensive attack of the Wildcats, failing to get into the end zone for the second straight week.

The loss, however, did little to dampen the homecoming festivities, in which Owen announced senior cheerleader Mateo Magana was crowned 2024 homecoming king in a pep rally preceding the game, while junior football player and multi-sport athlete Rio Obispo was named prince.

The halftime ceremony featured the Owen JROTC and Color Guard, as representatives from 15 clubs and athletic programs and each of the four classes, were escorted by family members to midfield. Reigning 2023-24 homecoming queen Piper Berry and Owen Principal Dawn Rookey greeted the court in front of a packed Warhorse Stadium crowd.

Junior class representative Ace Drake was voted 2024-25 homecoming princess moments before Hall, a multi-sport athlete and cross country representative, received the crown from Berry, her former teammate.

The Warhorses will travel to Bakersville, Friday, Sept. 27, to face 4-1 Mitchell, in their second conference matchup of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Photos of the 2024 Owen High School Homecoming ceremony and football game can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.