Vero Beach football’s playoff opener drew a hometown hero to the Citrus Bowl sidelines on Friday night.
Country music star Jake Owen, a Vero Beach High graduate, did the opening coin toss prior to the Fighting Indians’ home playoff opener against East Ridge on Friday, Nov. 14.
Owen’s homecoming proved victorious as Vero Beach won 57-10, improving to 11-0 overall this season.
The School District of Indian River County celebrated Owen’s participation in pre-game ceremonies via the organization’s official Facebook page.
“Vero Beach High School pride on full display as hometown hero Jake Owen returned to VBHS for the playoff game coin toss! Thank you for coming home and supporting our Fighting Indians!”
Owen, 44, attended Gifford Middle School and Vero Beach High School. He later relocated to Nashville to pursue his musical career.
Vero Beach football, the No. 1 seed in Region 3-7A, will host the winner of St. Cloud-Lake Nona at the Citrus Bowl on Friday, Nov. 21 in the second round of the Florida high school playoffs.
Recent: Why history says Vero Beach football’s state championship drought won’t be easy to break
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jake Owen does coin toss for Florida high school football playoff game