Owens has seen massive transformation
BIXBY — Two years ago, you wouldn’t have thought Josh Owens would be one of the most dominant offensive linemen in Oklahoma high school football. Owens was a mere 206 pounds when Loren Montgomery, the coach at Bixby, asked him to move from tight end to left tackle. The ensuing season was a struggle as Owens constantly faced guys bigger and stronger than he was.
“My sophomore year, I was tiny,” he said. “I was lighter than our quarterback. I had some troubles with big dudes. I had to gain some fat, gain
some muscle and get out there.”
Owens started working out as hard as he could and scarfing down as much food as possible. By the end of the season, he was up to 230 pounds. Something kept eating at him, though.
He started 12 games his sophomore season only to be pulled during the state semifinal against Bartlesville and sit during the state championship game. He watched as his teammates won their second state title in as many years with him on the sideline.
“It just broke my heart,” he said. “I was crying and stuff. I didn’t get a real reason why I wasn’t playing. I think what was happening is maybe I was getting lackadaisical in practice and they were subbing a senior in behind me.”
Regardless of the reason, Owens wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again. He worked hard in the offseason to gain even more weight. By the time the season was ready to start, he was up to 240 pounds.
He, along with fellow lineman Bryce Bray, who is committed to Oklahoma State, formed one of the state’s best offensive lines last season. The Spartans averaged 480.2 yards per game behind their two stalwarts.
Owens finally got the chance to play in a state championship game as well, as Bixby took down Lawton to claim its third straight Class 6A Division II title.
Both Bray and Owens said playing with each other has been a huge benefit for their individual success.
“We like to go out and give each other all we’ve got,” Bray said. “If we don’t go out and go hard, the team around us won’t go hard. We’re trying to bring up the whole team as well as bring up ourselves. It just has kind of turned into a little competition. Just trying to see who can get the better of each other every now and then.”
Owens committed to Tulsa in May over offers from Air Force, Montana, Nevada and others. Owens said he got along with the TU coaches, which factored into his decision, but he was thinking about more than football.
“I want to major in business, and they’re a huge, top-50 business school,” he said. “I would get an amazing education. That’s one of the top things. Life after football, that would be the best place for me.”
Owens said as he heads into his senior season, he doesn’t want his success to give him reason to slack off. He has continued to attack the weight room with the same tenacity as when he started.
He is already up to 265 pounds and eyeing an even more dominant performance than last season as the Spartans pursue their fourth consecutive championship.
“Some dudes get offers and they commit and then they kind of take it easy,” he said. “I want to keep it in my head not to take it easy and play like I have no offers still. I can see where it could be easy to say that to yourself.”
Staying committed should be no problem for Owens, who makes extra money mowing lawns with his father — he mowed 25 on Wednesday — and whose favorite football memories are summer workouts.
Whether or not his high school career culminates in a state title, the work he is putting in now and has put in already made it worth it.
“Winning championships is nice, but I enjoy the process of getting there,” he said. “Just everyone getting along and having fun.”