Owens to play football at Wayne State

 HARLAN -- Harlan Community senior Jon Owens signed a national letter of intent on February 6 to play football at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.
 A versatile three-year starter for the HCHS football team, Owens has played outside linebacker, fullback and tight end while also serving as the long snapper and switching to punter for the latter part of last fall’s 8-3 playoff quarterfinal campaign. As a senior, Owens was named second team All-State at linebacker, first team All-District at linebacker and second team All-District at punter. He ranked third on the Cyclone defense in tackles with 33 solos and 23 assists, including nine tackles for loss, and led the unit with four interceptions (one pick six) and two fumble recoveries. Offensively, he caught six passes for 79 yards and one touchdown and carried the ball five times for 13 yards. Owens was also named third team All-State and first team All-District as a junior linebacker, totaling 32 solo tackles, 49 assists and 13 TFL. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns and also ran back a Wyatt Schaben blocked punt 26 yards for a touchdown in the state semifinal game at the UNI-Dome. Owens made 13 solo tackles and 32 assists as a sophomore, adding one fumble recovery.