'It's just been positive energy': DaOne Owens loves his Massillon football experience
MASSILLON — DaOne Owens is making the most of his one season with the Massillon Tigers football team.
No matter the stage, the senior quarterback will put on a show.
In his Tiger debut, after transferring from Copley High School where he was an all-state performer in 2022, Owens sparked Massillon to a win over Valdosta, Ga., rushing for 241 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1.
In the Tigers’ win over two-time defending state champion St. Edward, the state's No. 1 Division I team, he rushed 176 yards. The Tigers moved to No. 1 in Division II soon after.
“I feel like there’s no difference,” Owens said when asked about playing against higher competition. “I’m just going to go out there and play my ball. Obviously, if there was the difference in the speed. Speed is definitely the difference moving from Copley to Massillon. It’s the speed, bigger, better Massillon guys.”
In his return to the starting lineup two week ago after missing a game while the OHSAA reviewed his transfer application, Owens again put on another stellar performance vs. St. John's College. Before kickoff, he led Massillon out of the tunnel and ran through the Tigers banners as the thousands of fans at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium roared excitedly as he headed to the sidelines. His energy matched his production as he finished that night with 153 passing yards and two total touchdowns.
"I love DaOne," Tigers defensive end Chase Bond said after the St. John's win. "He is rare. He's got freakish athletic ability. He brings a different type of juice to the offense. I love what he has done since he got here, and he's going to continue to do it from here on out."
Owens is on pace to become the first Massillon quarterback to run for a 1,000 yards in a season, as he averages a stunning 11 yards per carry. He leads the Tigers with 783 rushing yards — already a school record for most rushing yards in a season by a Massillon QB — and 10 TDs on 71 carries. He's thrown for another 506 yards, completing 51% of his 67 attempts, with six TDs and two interceptions. Not bad numbers for a QB often sharing the snaps with two-year Tigers starter Jalen Slaughter.
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DaOne Owens was all in after moving to Massillon
Owens joined the Tigers after enrolling in February. It was a culture shock at first after leaving Copley, but he quickly bought into Massillon’s culture.
“I love it," Owens said. "Ever since I’ve got here, it’s just been positive energy. I love every second of it. I should’ve honestly moved earlier. ... I love every second of it."
All-Ohio Massillon linebacker Dorian Pringle, who transferred from Copley the previous year, showed Owens the ropes. The two are childhood friends, and Pringle knew firsthand what Owens was capable of when all eyes were on him.
“I feel like when the pressure is on his shoulder, he’s able to do amazing stuff with the ball,” Pringle said. “Everybody knows in stands and we know that we can depend on DaOne.”
As he got acquainted with his new teammates, Owens was aware of possibly sharing snaps with the incumbent starter, Slaughter. Owens made it clear that there was no QB competition battle against Slaughter. He has embraced the challenge of sharing snaps with the junior QB, and both have complimented one another.
“We help each other and make each other better by practicing and helping each other,” Owens said. “So there was no competition but it makes both of us better at the end of the day.”
Massillon coach Nate Moore praised Owens for his selflessness and buying into Massillon’s winning culture.
“He’s been great ever since they moved to town,” Moore said. “He’s a great kid, a great student, he has been a great teammate. ... He has handled everything in stride. I don’t think he’s concerned about snaps and reps or anything like that. I think he’s more concerned about winning ballgames and scoring points as a team, which is my concern and our concern.”
Owens currently has one Division I college offer, from Temple. It could be a matter of time before other offers flood in. Yet his main focus is to bring a state title to Massillon. He knows he doesn’t have to do it alone. With premium speedsters outside, a loaded group of running backs and a physical offensive line, the job is much easier for everyone on offense.
“It feels good,” Owens said. “... I got guys around me and I don’t have to do everything. It’s good to have guys that can make plays and stuff.”
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: DaOne Owens enjoying memorable season with Massillon Tigers football
