Black Mountain – John Faircloth takes over the Warhorses, after leading R-S Central to a 9-19 mark for the past three seasons. Before that, he coached collegiately for eight years. Faircloth played fullback for Methodist University.
“We’re just trying to establish a culture built on a foundation of trust, toughness, and love,” he said. “It’s a process to get back to Owen’s glory days. Kids are buying in, working their butts off. They’re very coachable.”
His week two opponent, NBHS head coach David Hines, observed that “they played hard. You can tell they enjoy playing for him.”
The Warhorses (0-3) now run a triple option offense. Emmett Minks (6-2, 160 so.) succeeds graduated Jakob Knight at quarterback. Minks is a “good leader, and dependable,” Faircloth said. “The guys rally around him.” Minks is “accurate throwing.” But in leading the option, his main duties are deciding who to flip the ball to and when to do so as defenses close in.
Hayden and Haiden
Featured runner Will Johnson graduated. But Hayden Burpeau (5-9, 155 jr.) fills his shoes well. Burpeau is “agile and elusive,” Faircloth said. “I like his foot speed. He’s hard-nosed, tough.” Burpeau scored both touchdowns against NBHS in week two, on a 13-yard reception and a 15-yard run. He ran for 108 yards (6.8 YPC). He ran for a TD in week three. Burpeau ran wide jet sweeps as a receiver in 2023. He also kicks.
The other halfback is Haiden Smalls (6-2, 145 jr.). He is similarly “shifty, a strider top-end speed,” Faircloth said. The fullback is stocky Stephen Anderson (5-7, 205 so.), backed by Tristan King (5-8, 180 sr.). “We’ll take what people give us” between three running options, Faircloth said. “I tell the kids we run the most unselfish offense.”
The two wide receivers are Houston Mashburn (6-0, 145 jr.) and Emerson Autrey (5-10, 150 jr.). “They have good hands. They run crisp routes,” Faircloth said. “They’re blockers on the perimeter.“ Owen does not use a tight end.
Up front are left tackle Liam Franklin (5-10, 175 sr.), left guard C.J. Lynch (6-1, 230 so.), center Rio Obispo (5-8, 230 jr.), right guard Austin Anderson (5-10, 200 sr.), and right tackle Kamden Dantone (6-1, 175 jr.). “They’re jelling,” Faircloth said. “They’re undersized, but fairly athletic. They create spacing.”
The defense deploys five linebackers/defensive ends. They are Austin Anderson, Tru Davis (5-10, 160 jr.), Franklin, Steven Anderson, and Wayne Parks (5-8, 160 so.). D-linmen are Obiso, King, and Lynch. DBs are Smalls, Burpeau, and Mashburn. “Our secondary is not giving up explosive plays,” Faircloth said. His defense “gets to the ball. Wells can mix and match some pressure” to keep offenses guessing and out of sync.
In the 2A-1A Western Highlands Conference, only Owen and Madison are 2A. Thus the winner of their game at Madison on Nov. 1 gets an automatic 2A playoff berth. Other more winnable contests include East Henderson at home on Sept. 13, and at Rosman on Oct. 11. Coach Faircloth said that, week to week, “we’re focusing on (not foes but) Owen, to get one percent better every day.”