Cavaliers Trust Stockton Owen

Cookeville Cavalier head coach Jimmy Maynord trusts his senior QB, Stockton Owen

Cookeville senior quarterback Stockton Owen is entering his second year running the Cavalier offense.

After a promising 2019 season, the experienced Cavs are hoping Owen can propel them towards the top of Region 3/6A.

“He’s just a really good athlete,” said CHS head coach Jimmy Maynord. “He had great numbers last year and I expect him to do the same this year.”

READ: 2020 Cookeville Football Preview

The dual-threat quarterback emerged as one of the top players in the Upper Cumberland in 2019 He led the Cavs in rushing as he averaged 7.9 yards per carry, rushing for 1149 yards and 17 touchdowns. Throughout the season he emerged as a passing threat going 84-145 through the air for 1106 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Maynord said Owen has made significant progress as a passer in the offseason.

“I think Stockton has worked exceptionally hard to improve his passing game,” said Maynord. “We feel like before he was a very good runner and playmaker. Not that he was not good in the passing game, but we feel like he’s worked hard to make that part of his game a lot better.”

Owen led the Cavs to a 5-6 record last season and a fourth-place finish in the difficult Region 3/6A. Maynord said all of those wins should be credited to Owen.

“There was a lot on his shoulders last year,” said Maynord. “We won five football games last year and I’d venture to say we wouldn’t have won any if not for him. We depended on him a lot as a playmaker.”

Owen will also get an opportunity to play defensively for the Cavs in 2020 at defensive back. Maynord said Owen wanted to play defense.

“Stockton wanted to play defense,” said Maynord. “I was hesitant about that, but he’s a football player, that’s what he wants to do and that may even be a possibility for him at the next level. He’s an athlete so he can play at receiver, he can play in the secondary and he can play quarterback. He wanted to do that, and I’ve given in to that.”

Maynord said while Owen will be asked to carry a big load in 2020, but not all of the responsibility will fall to him.

“We involve a lot of people with our offense and he’s a big part of it,” said Maynord.

Owen and the Cavaliers will take the field for the first time in 2020 on Thursday, August 20 when they will take on cross-county rival Upperman at Tennessee Tech. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Tucker Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the Upper Cumberland Reporter’s Facebook page.

READ: Rivalry: Cookeville vs Upperman