What hurt Polk County in September helped save its season Friday night.
Turnovers.
Five Polk giveaways played a major role in Owen’s 46-27 win in the first meeting earlier this season between the teams. In the rematch, the Warhorses lost three fumbles, two of those deep in Polk territory, and the Wolverines took advantage of those chances and a handful of big plays to claim a 28-22 victory in the opening round of the 3A state playoffs in Black Mountain.
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Polk County’s first postseason win since 2021 sends the Wolverines (4-7) into next week’s second round at fourth-seeded Walkertown (9-1). Owen finished its season at 5-6.
It also gave Polk head coach Dustin Fry his first playoff win with the Wolverines.
“We picked a perfect time to play a complete game in all phases,” Fry said. “The energy and effort was outstanding and the guys’ fight was incredible. It was the best our defense has played in a long time. We won the turnover margin and had our best game tackling of the year.
“I’m excited for our guys to feel what a November win looks like.”
That feeling arrived almost immediately.
RJ Simpson took Polk’s first offensive snap 68 yards for a touchdown, with Rylan Phillips adding the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Owen answered early in the second quarter as Emmett Minks found Parker Halford for a 42-yard touchdown, with Halford adding the conversion to even the score.
Back came Polk.
The Wolverines survived a penalty-filled march, converting a fourth-and-1 near midfield on a Styler Blackwell run and eventually reaching the Owen 3. Blackwell scored from there, and although the extra point was blocked, Polk regained the lead at 14-8.
Owen seemed poised to answer just before halftime, driving to the Polk goal line. But Minks fumbled on the final play of the half, with Simpson recovering to preserve the six-point lead.
The Warhorses did finally move ahead after halftime. Stephen Anderson scored from seven yards out on Owen’s opening third-quarter possession, and the extra point gave the Warhorses a 15-14 advantage.
It didn’t last long.
On Polk’s next possession, Blackwell took the handoff and gave to Phillips on a reverse. Phillips pulled up and found Simpson wide open across the middle, and Simpson did the rest, racing through the Owen defense for a 66-yard touchdown.
Phillips again added the 2-point run, putting Polk back ahead 22-15.
Owen threatened once more later in the quarter, reaching the Polk goal line. Once more, the football wound up in Wolverine hands, with Polk recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchback.
Polk gave the ball right back on an interception, but the defense immediately responded, stopping Owen on four plays.
The Wolverines then put together perhaps their most important drive of the night, marching 67 yards and leaning heavily on Blackwell. Phillips finished the possession on fourth-and-goal, scoring from a yard out for a 28-15 lead.
Phillips wound up contributing in just about every possible way. He caught a pass, threw the 66-yard touchdown to Simpson, scored the fourth-quarter touchdown and ran for two 2-point conversions.
Owen made one final push, with Minks finding Tye Lewis for a 32-yard touchdown with 4:11 remaining that cut the margin to 28-22.
The Warhorses tried an onside kick after the score, but Andy Serrano recovered at the Owen 49. Polk kept the football on the ground from there, converting a fourth down and draining the remaining time.
Blackwell finished with 123 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Simpson had the 68-yard scoring run and caught three passes for 93 yards, including the 66-yard touchdown.
Polk County finished with 371 yards of offense, 229 on the ground.
Owen actually totaled slightly more offense, finishing with 390 yards, but the Warhorses could not overcome the three lost fumbles.
A lesson Polk County learned all too well in September.
Friday, the Wolverines were happy to teach it back.
