ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 29, 1996 TAG: 9611290056
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
GREG OWENS, SuperPrep magazine's second-rated kicker in the nation, says he'll play for the Cavaliers.
Virginia can be a little less anxious about the end of the Rafael Garcia era after receiving a commitment from a kicker one recruiting service rated No. 2 in the nation.
``Once the offer came from Virginia, I committed on the spot,'' said Greg Owens, who has kicked four field goals of 50 yards or longer for St. Edward's School in Vero Beach, Fla. ``I wasn't going to wait any longer.''
Owens was born in Clinton, Md., and spent his first two years of high school at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, where he passed for more than 1,600 yards as a sophomore and made All-Virginia Independent Conference.
A 6-foot, 200-pounder, Owens has continued to play quarterback at St. Edward's and this week will move to running back for a playoff game. He also punts, but plans to concentrate on kicking in college.
Owens kicks right-footed and punts left-footed, just like the Cavaliers' punter, two-time All-ACC selection Will Brice. Owens met Brice during his visit to Virginia for the Cavaliers' Nov. 16 game with North Carolina and they have remained in touch.
Owens has made 11 of 17 field-goal attempts in his two years at St. Edward's. He didn't have the numbers from his senior year, but 21 of his 28 kickoffs were not returned in 1995 and three sailed through the uprights.
He had scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Syracuse and Minnesota and ``was on the verge'' with several other NCAA Division I-A programs, including North Carolina State.
``I grew up watching ACC football,'' said Owens, whose family lived in Waldorf, Md., before moving to Stuart, Fla. ``It wasn't VES that made the decision for me, but I feel that I'm going back to a place I consider home.''
Owens was named first-team all-state last year in Class 2A and was one of two kickers named to SuperPrep magazine's preseason All-America team.
``I know that Virginia has a tradition of great kickers with Raffy [Garcia] and Michael Husted,'' Owens said. ``I try not to compare myself with anybody, but I feel I can do the job for them.''
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB