Warhorses and Lions face off in a Swannanoa Valley thriller
Owen overcomes ACA, 50-49, in last-second victory
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 6, 2024
For a few spirited hours, Nov. 5, student-athletes representing two Swannanoa Valley schools allowed hundreds of local football fans to set aside the harsh reality they have experienced since Tropical Storm Helene ravaged the region.
The inaugural meeting of the programs, a special Senior Night celebration giving Owen and Asheville Christian Academy athletes an opportunity to play a final game in their hometown, turned out to be a high-scoring thriller, ending in a 50-49 comeback victory for Owen.
The win, which came as freshman Slade Gardner hauled in a reception for a 2-point conversion with no time left on the clock, was both the first for Warhorse head coach John Faircloth and the team’s first this season.
“Regardless of which side you were on, this was a great high school football game,” Faircloth said after the game. “Anybody who spent $8 on a ticket here tonight got every penny’s worth.”
The game was scheduled after severe flooding destroyed the Swannanoa home field of ACA, while Owen anticipated playing the remainder of its season on the road. Twenty Owen seniors, representing band, cheerleading, sports medicine, golf and football, were escorted to the field before the contest, while the Lions recognized eight senior football players in a packed Warhorse Stadium. The Lions recognized eight senior football players.
The event included a free tailgate party, with food, games and supplies of slippers, clothing, food boxes and disaster kits donated by Hearts with Hands. The game ball was delivered by representatives from Savage Freedoms to Swannanoa Fire Department Chief Anthony Penland, who escorted team captains to centerfield for the coin toss.
Penland was joined by first responders directly involved in the rescue and recovery efforts in the Swannanoa Valley, while the American flag carried by the Owen color guard was rescued from the debris at ACA. A moment of silence was observed to honor the victims of the natural disaster.
Contrasting offenses were on display throughout the night, as the Lions deployed their pass-heavy attack, led by sophomore quarterback Avery Hollifield, who threw for 519 yards and 7 touchdowns. Three ACA receivers, seniors Jack Holmes and Zamarian James and junior Kaden Roth, eclipsed the 100-yard mark. Holmes led his team with 182 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in the contest.
The Warhorse offense was carried by a 330-yard rushing performance from sophomore Stephen Anderson and timely plays by junior Hayden Burpeau.
In a contest that included five lead changes, ACA jumped out to an early 14-7 advantage in the first quarter. A touchdown by Warhorse quarterback Emmett Minks in the second quarter, following an interception by junior Emerson Autrey, gave Owen its first lead of the night. They entered the half up, 28-21, after a long touchdown run by junior Haiden Small.
The Warhorses extended their lead in the opening drive of the second half, as Anderson put his team in scoring position to set up another Minks touchdown run. The Lions had pulled to within a touchdown going into the final frame.
The ACA defense recovered a Burpeau fumble in Owen territory and tied the game, 42-42, with 7:36 to play. The offense followed that score with 99-yard touchdown drive to establish a 49-42 lead with 18 seconds remaining on the clock.
Burpeau, a key player on the Warhorse offense and defense, saved his biggest play for the ensuing kickoff return, as he raced down the Owen sideline to the 21 yard line. He followed the return with a touchdown reception, bringing his team to within 1 with no time left on the clock.
Faircloth and his team lined up for a 2-point conversion.
Minks rolled to his right on the final play of the contest, heaving it to Gardner, who pulled down the pass on sideline for the win. It was the second game-winning touchdown reception of the season for the receiver, whose touchdown, Sept. 12, against East Henderson, gave the Owen junior varsity team its sole victory.
His catch in front of a boisterous crowd against the Lions was an early career highlight for the young athlete.
“I’m blessed,” he said, following the game. “This isn’t something that happens a lot, so I feel lucky to have had the chance to do it.”
With the corner biting underneath, Gardner faded to the right side of the end zone, as Minks lofted the pass.
“I did a little toe tap, and came down in there,” he said. “I still can’t believe it. It’s amazing. You can’t really imagine nights like this, so it kind of feels like a once in a lifetime thing.”
Both teams gathered at midfield after the game, as Bradley and Faircloth congratulated the opposing teams for lifting the Swannanoa Valley’s spirits.
“What all of us did here tonight was take the band-aid off,” Faircloth said. “We gave this community something to be proud of, and we are all proud to be from here. A storm will never take our heart, and I know I’m proud as hell to be from here.”
The victory came four days after a “heartbreaking” 29-27 loss on the road against Rosman.
“To turn around and come out here and win a really intense football game, it makes me really proud of these guys for not giving up,” Faircloth said. “I don’t want to make excuses or blame the storm, but I felt like we were playing better every week before everything happened. With only three seniors, it felt like we lost that momentum a little, but some of these guys are playing their best football right now.”
The coach gave Owen Principal Dawn Rookey the game ball after the win.
“She took a chance on me, and I’m grateful because I love these kids, this school and this valley,” Faircloth said. “I’m just happy to be here and excited to see this team keep building.”
While the Lions season ended with a loss, the Warhorses will play their final contest of the campaign at 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9, in Madison County.
Photos of the inaugural football game between Owen and Asheville Christian Academy can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.