Pictured are Easley High School grads Jorja Fox, Carter Owen and Makayla Arnold on Saturday after Anderson University’s 51-14 win over St. Andrews. It marked the first-ever football game for Anderson University. Not pictured is EHS alum Courtney Smith.
Jeff Holt | The Easley Progress
EASLEY — You could have called it Green Wave Day.
Carter Owen started as the long-snapper for Anderson University’s football team. Jorja Fox, Courtney Smith and Makayla Arnold – also Easley High School graduates – were cheerleaders on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon in Anderson University’s 51-14 win over St. Andrews. It marked the first-ever football game in school history for AU.
“We have a 4,000-seat stadium and we had around 6,150 (fans) here today,” said Owen, shortly after the win. “It’s just great to have the support of Anderson University and the community. This has been a long-time coming. It felt great to be out there. There’s a group (of players) who have been here for two years and everybody’s hungry.”
Added Trojans head coach Bobby Lamb, “We felt Carter Owen was the best long-snapper in the state last year in high school. So, we signed him and got him here. Any time you feel you have a good long-snapper – you’ll have that guy for four years. That was a big step for us to get a guy like him, and being a local product of Easley is always good.”
Family and friends gathered at midfield to congratulate the EHS alum and help soak in the season-opening victory.
Courtney Smith could not be reached for comment.
However, Fox and Arnold took some time reflect on what “game day” was like for them at Anderson University. They are both sophomores this season.
“The crowd was very engaged and involved,” said Arnold. “When the team scored, they were very good at cheering back for them. I really liked coming in here my freshman year with Jorja. We cheered at Easley and it was nice coming in here and knowing somebody.”
Fox, meanwhile, is also continuing her track career at Anderson University.
“It (pole vault) is something I’ve always done and I wanted to make it a priority in college,” Fox said. “I like the opportunity to learn how to take care of myself and be around good Christian friends and community – just have fun.”
Looking back on the first-ever win of Anderson University, Fox said, “It was fun. It was hot, but not too hot. A good crowd. You could just tell this was a long time coming and it was fun to just be here.”
Next up, Anderson’s football team will return home on Saturday against LaGrange. Kickoff will begin at 6 p.m. at Younts Stadium.
Additional support: Richard and Jackie Pressley would not have missed this game for the world. They are the grandparents of Jorja Fox and are part of the “church family” of Carter Owen.
They stood out in front of the locker room after the game on Saturday to congratulate everyone on their victory.
“We are here to watch the inaugural game as they won 51-14,” said Richard. “We are here to support the whole team and our good friend – and church family member – Carter Owen. It is Carter’s first year. He is here doing a great job and a very smart young man. He just fits the mode of an Anderson University athlete.”
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.