Fancy shoes, good grades and a good attitude: River Ridge’s Dontae Owens has it all

When River Ridge High School football coach Steve Schultz arrived at Ingersoll Stadium for the Hawks season opening game against Capital, he snapped at quarterback Dontae Owens for wearing a pair of pinkish orange cleats.

Schultz only allows kickers to wear flashy shoes.

“I yelled at him because I call him on anything I can,” said Schultz.

Owens laughed and reminded Shultz he is the Hawks kicker.

As well as the passer and running quarterback. By the time River Ridge had pulled away from Capital, 41-21, Owens had rushed for 111 yards on nine carries. He had 35 yards on two receptions, returned two kickoff returns for 60 yards and completed two passes for 20 yards. He also converted five-of-six extra point attempts.

But that’s not all, either. Owens has signed with Georgetown University as a cornerback.

Owens began playing football at age five, following in the footsteps of his older brother Jomtah.

“I just liked running the football and it stuck with me,” he said.

Although Owens played quarterback in sixth grade, he hadn’t played it again before Schultz asked him to join a competition with John Mapu and North Thurston transfer Keeton Maggard.

“I said if that’s what takes to win the football game and have a good season, I’m fine to make the change.”

Schultz says Owens’ 3.8 grade point average is another huge benefit.

“You’ve got to have an off the chart GPA to get into Georgetown. He’s very smart and very athletic. I’m proud of him for using the gifts God gave him to get a law degree.”

First, though, Owens plans to enjoy his senior year at River Ridge.

“Everybody has a bond we have with each other,” he said. “Its like we all grew up waiting for our senior year moment to play together.”

Owens believes he’ll enjoy Georgetown as well.

“The campus is beautiful and the coaches make he feel it will be a spot I can love being the next four years.”

Schultz is certain Owens will succeed in football and academics.

“He’s going to be an attorney. If I need an attorney I’m going to fly him across the country. He’d got talent and he knows how to win. There’s not situation that’s too big for him.”

This story was originally published February 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM.