By JOHN KEMMETER
Special to The Gazette
It was hard to not notice Jake Owens on the football field in 2002. The wide receiver, safety, kick and punt returner seemed to make things happen anytime the ball was in the air. After a record-setting junior year, it didn't take college coaches long to notice either.
"We've had a few Division 1 schools contact us and are looking at him already," said Pacelli head coach Bob Raczek. "He's that type of an athlete."
Defensively he intercepted 13 passes (the second highest single-season total in Wisconsin high school history) and returned four of them for touchdowns, which set a new state record. His 2002 campaign earned him first-team CWC large honors at safety, as well as honorable mention All-State. His 13 interceptions not only set a Pacelli single-season record; they equaled the previous career mark, which Owens now owns with 21.
"He reads receivers well and he anticipates where the ball is going to go and he's gonna get there," said Pacelli head coach Bob Raczek. "He's got good jumping ability and good hands, and you hope he can pick off a lot of passes."
"You always have those personal goals to improve on, so hopefully I can get a few more interceptions this year," said Owens. "Our defense had a great year, we had 29 interceptions as a team so that's impressive. We lost two starters in the secondary, and you always want to teach the new guys and break them in, so hopefully they can step up on last year's numbers," said Owens.
The Cardinals had an excellent year in 2002, winning a share of their second straight CWC large conference title, and advancing to the WIAA Division 7 State semifinals. Owens played a major role in the teams' success, catching 44 passes for 888 yards (20.2 avg.) and 13 TDs in a run-first offense. For his efforts, he received first team CWC large honors at wide receiver for the second consecutive season. He also returned 14 punts for 410 yards (29.3 avg.) and a TD, as well as 12 kickoffs for 450 yards (37.5 avg.) and a TD, and blocked two punts.
Owens' main focus in 2003 will be helping to lead a young and talented squad, and hopefully improve on last year's finish.
"I have more experience than some of the other guys out here, since this is my fourth year," Owens said. "They've seen some playing time so they know what it's like, but it's their first time as full-time starters. Hopefully I can just keep them relaxed and they can play the way I know they can," Owens added.
Jake also had an impressive year off the football field in which he received honorable mention All-State in both basketball and baseball, and helped lead the baseball team to the WIAA Division 3 state title. He recently returned from Long Beach, Calif., where he participated in baseball's Area Code Games from Aug. 4-9, which featured some of the best baseball players from around the country.
"It was very challenging," said Owens. "There were very good ball players, and I was seeing a level of baseball that I don't see very often. We played nine games in six days, and it was tough out in the California heat, but it was fun. I saw guys from all over the nation. They said between 300 to 400 scouts and college teams were there every game, so there were a lot of eyes on you," Owens said.
Heading into his senior year, Owens hasn't made a decision on what sport he plans to pursue following high school.
"Really I haven't decided, I'm just kind of shopping around for colleges and seeing what's out there," said Owens. "The best opportunity to come towards me, I'll probably take that."
But he is clear about his goal for his final season in a Pacelli football uniform - get to the state title game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
"I'm going to do anything I can to help out and get us to play one more game than we did last year," said Owens. "We've been close, so hopefully this year we can get there."