By Andrew Petyak

New Castle News

Eli Owens always has had breakaway speed.

For a time, though, the Neshannock High sophomore just didn’t have any confidence in it.

After his 46-yard sprint to the end zone in the Lancers’ 24-21 WPIAL Class A quarterfinal victory over Monessen last week, Owens finally may have put his doubts to rest.

“We’ve been telling him all year when you get out in the secondary, pick a seam, make your cut and just go,” Lancers coach Fred Mozzocio said. “Friday night, he finally did just that. He made his first cut and he just took off and he was moving pretty well. It was nice to see him finally get that confidence when he gets out in the open field that he can score and he doesn’t have to juke so much.”

The 13th-seeded Lancers (10-1) will battle top-seeded Clairton (11-0) in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Chartiers-Houston High School.

In upsetting the Greyhounds (9-2) last week, Owens led the team with a 100-yard rushing effort on 14 carries, including the 46-yard touchdown scamper and a key interception in the first half. His performance earned him Lawrence County Athlete of the Week honors, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.

“Both offensively and defensively, he’s been stepping up,” Mozzocio said. “He’s been starting at the left cornerback position for us and he’s had an interception the last two weeks. This week, when we needed it the most, he broke that big run and got the momentum back for us. He picked up a lot of tough yards. That was 14 carries for 100 yards, but there wasn’t one easy yard he gained.”

Despite being a sophomore, Eli shoulders the bulk of the carries for the talented Lancers’ backfield, which includes his brother, Kienan Owens, and junior Gianni Oliva. What’s even more impressive is that Eli earned the starting role despite missing the majority of last season with an injury.

“I broke my collarbone during our first scrimmage against Kennedy Catholic last year,” Owens said. “My shoulder pads were too big and I landed on my shoulder.”

 Out with the injury, Eli regrettably never got to play with older brother Stephen, a former defensive back for the Lancers. This season, Eli was determined to make up for lost time with Kienan, a senior.

“There’s only one chance you get to play on the field with your brother. Last year I didn’t get to play with my oldest brother Stephen because I broke my collarbone. If I would have, it would have been fun. It’s a great experience playing this year with Kienan. It’s something you can talk about later in life.”

Football always has been a part of the Owens household. Eli learned about football from his father, also named Stephen, and he began to play while in second grade in New Castle. The Owens family are huge Steelers fans and Eli is no different. What’s surprising however, is that besides the Steelers, Eli doesn’t watch much of the sport he loves to play.

“I’m actually not a big fan of watching it,” Owens said. “I just love playing it. I’ll watch the Steelers with my family, because that’s our team. Other than that, I really don’t watch any other teams play.”

The thing Owens loves most about playing football is the intensity of the sport. Although he has proven to be a stellar corner for the Lancers, his preferred position always will be running back.

“I love hitting people,” Owens said. “At cornerback you really don’t get to hit as much, that’s what I like about running back. I like the intensity, the running. I like everything about it.”

Owens has been a hero on more than one occasion for the Lancers’ offense this season, ranking third in the county with 1,157 yards on 152 carries with nine touchdowns. However, what he brings team just isn’t what’s in the box score.

“Eli’s one of those happy-go-lucky type of kids. It can be the most intense moment in a game, or out on the practice field and you look at him and he’s always got a smile on his face,” Mozzocio said. “He’s going to say something to make somebody laugh at some point. That’s just the type of kid he is. He’s loose all the time and we have a great time with him. It’s been a pleasure coaching him this year, that’s for sure. The best is yet to come.”

THE ELI OWENS FILE ...

POSITION: Running back/defensive back

GRADE: 10

KNOWN FOR: Owens rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries, including a 46-yard touchdown in Neshannock’s 24-21 upset win over Monessen in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs. Owens also had a key interception in the first half, his second in as many weeks.

PARENTS: Stephen and Shannon Owens

FAVORITE PRO PLAYER AND WHY: Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush. “I like the way he runs and the way he cuts. He tries to get as many yards as possible on every play. I try to be similar to his running style. It’s not going to ever be as good as his, but it’s an example to go off of.”

FAVORITE PRO TEAM AND WHY: Pittsburgh Steelers. “That’s the team my family follows.”

FUTURE PLANS: “I would like to go to college and play football. It always has been my dream.”