6-foot-6 Franklin lineman brings grit, intelligence to the trenches
Livonia Franklin senior Owen Hawley is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound menace in the trenches for Livonia Franklin’s football field. In the classroom, he’s a superb student who may be headed to an Ivy League school.
A star wrestler and football player, Hawley is hard-working leader
Instead of sitting around his Livonia home playing video games and watching TV during the early, gloomy shutdown days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Franklin’s Owen Hawley went to work.
“I have a home gym and I used (the shutdown time) as an opportunity to get stronger,” said Hawley, who added layers of muscle onto his now-6-foot-6, 260-pound frame. “I weighed about 180 before COVID. I lifted every day for like six months and it definitely helped.”
The sweat-equity investment has turned the high school senior into a two-sport standout. In addition to serving as an anchor on the Patriots’ offensive and defensive lines, he chiseled out a 51-6 record on the wrestling mat as a junior, placing fifth in the state at 285 pounds.
Hawley took a few minutes during a break in a recent Franklin football practice to chat with SocialHouseNews.com Editor-In-Chief Ed Wright.
What was your first “I love football moment!”?
I started playing football a little later than a lot of guys. I played travel soccer through fourth grade, then made the transition to football in fifth grade. I loved everything about football: the rivalries with other teams, making friendships with teammates.
What do you like about playing offensive line?
I like the communication part, for sure, and working as a unit with the teammates next to me. Making the (blocking scheme) calls before the ball is snapped is intense, kind of like a chess game.
Do you ever dream of carrying the ball or catching a pass?
Surprisingly, no (he laughed). I probably could have played tight end back in my first year of high school when I weighed 180, but I’m happy doing what I’m doing now, blocking for guys like Cordell (Mabins, Jr.).
What do you like about this year’s team?
Definitely the chemistry. Most of us have been playing together for years and years — since we were 9 years old — so we’ve built a solid bond.
What’s your grade-point average and favorite subject?
It’s right around a 3.8 and my favorite subject is English.
Favorite book you’ve read?
Catcher In The Rye
What’s your perfect meal?
It would definitely have Thai food in it.
Where do you want to be in 10 years?
Working for some kind of business.
What are your college plans?
There’s a pretty good shot I’ll be playing football, either for a Division II team or an Ivy League school.
