Owen homecoming celebration shines despite loss

Warhorses fall, 42-0, to West Henderson as queen crowned at midfield

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 18, 2022

A homecoming celebration in Warhorse Stadium, Oct. 14, turned sour for the football team, which fell, 42-0, to an undefeated West Henderson program, but the halftime ceremony at midfield was a sweet occasion for 2022 homecoming queen, Allison Stevens.

The festivities began hours before kickoff, when Owen Middle School hosted a tailgate party at Shuford Field. A caravan of vehicles, escorted by engines from the Black Mountain and Swannanoa Fire Departments, departed for the high school 30 minutes before game time, as the Warhorses arrived to warm up on the field that was once the team’s longtime home.

The players were energized upon their return to the high school, where the team entered the the stadium from the north end, but the excitement was short-lived.

The passing attack of the Falcons proved overwhelming for Owen, which trailed 35-0 at halftime. West Henderson sealed its eighth straight victory of the season with a 7-0 showing in the second half, as the Warhorses fell to 1-7.

The loss did little to dampen the spirits of the home fans, who cheered loudly as a homecoming court of 20 students, representing each of the four classes, school clubs and fall athletic programs, was escorted onto the field during the break.

While an announcement earlier in the day confirmed senior and cross country representative Jaheem O’Hara as this year’s homecoming king and junior Steven Garcia as prince, 2021 queen Addie King returned to her alma mater to crown a queen and princess.

Eleventh grade representative Abby Ballew was announced as homecoming princess, as the highlight of the evening came with the coronation of the senior, Stevens, the Future Farmers of America representative.

Photos of the 2022 Owen High School Homecoming game and halftime ceremony can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.