It was a game described as “weird” by Oakton Cougars head coach Brian Clay. But he was happy to accept the result.
In a recent non-conference contest highlighted by multiple penalties and unusual situations, visiting Oakton (3-3) defeated the West Potomac Wolverines, 17-14, in overtime. Collin Henriques made the winning and walk-off 18-yard field goal.
“There were so many penalties that kept either offense from doing much, until a little more in the second half, and each defense played well,” Slay said.
There was no score at halftime. Oakton took a 7-0 lead in the third quarter on a short touchdown run by Deylen Jones and an extra point by Henriques. West Potomac then tied the score at 7.
The Cougars went up 14-7 in the fourth when Oakton recovered a fumble in the end zone when West Potomac was punting and Henriques converted. The punting situation was a fourth down and 60 setup.
“We wanted them to have to snap the ball and punt from the end zone to see if something might happen, and sure enough it did for us,” Slay said.
While trying to run down the clock, Oakton lost a fumble. West Potomac (1-4) took advantage of the turnover and tied the score at 14. In overtime, Quincy Smith recovered a fumble on West Potomac’s first play. After three Oakton running plays, moved the ball to the one-yard line, Henriques made the winning field goal.
On offense for Oakton, quarterback Jack Martin was 8 of 19 passing for 128 yards, Ryan Henriques ran for 39, Isaiah Coleman for 29 and Jones for 14. Ryan Henriques caught three passes for 45 and Jones and Coleman caught two each.
On defense, linebacker Jack Pregman had eight tackles, including five for losses.
“Jack started the season as a backup, but he has really improved,” Slay said.
Jones and Connor Tapp each made seven tackles and Carson McCullough made five for Oakton. Ryan Henriques had an interception.
Oakton finished 1-9 last season, when it was blown out of most games. This fall, the Cougars are much more competitive under Slay in his first season as the team’s head coach. Two of Oakton’s losses have been by three and seven points.
“The word is, we are improved,” Slay said. “I was told by another head coach when I took this job that Oakton can’t win more than three games a season. We have three now.”
