PRZVA Team Preview: Oakton Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Years Result: 1-9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brian Slay knew the tall task he had before accepting the Head Coach position with the Oakton Cougars this past January. The Cougars are in a new rebuild and are looking for a new direction under Coach Slay who comes to them with years of experience. Previously working as both a defensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the McLean Highlanders, Coach Slay will looks to lead Oakton back to the postseason for the first time in over a decade. A good batch of starters return along with some newcomers that we have profiled before below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returning Starters</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1335280' first='Carson' last='McCullough']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1335284' first='Keegan' last='Murphy'], Trevor Wolf, [player_tooltip player_id='1335300' first='Connor' last='Tapp'], [player_tooltip player_id='1190455' first='Preston' last='Schwartz']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1335306' first='Amir' last='Baadani']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1190455"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6696a9c082328"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schwartz is an underrated baller who we have profiled before, what I enjoy most about his game is that he goes up against the toughest opponents and wins the majority of his one on one matchups. The Cougars sure do have some nice young talent coming into the fold, that should only benefit this young man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>A tough receiver, what impresses me most about him is that he has no fear of catching the football over the middle. A quick 5'10 155 pound slot type of wideout, Schwartz will also have an impact defensively at free safety. He does not seem to error much on the backside of the Oakton's defense, either way the young man should be receiving all district honors on both sides this season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1335284"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6696a9c08238b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Honorable Mention All Concorde district a year ago, lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1335284' first='Keegan' last='Murphy'] is one to watch up front for the Cougars. Murphy can play tackle or guard, but I think he is best suited for the later at the next level. 6'3 and 235 lbs. he is an excellent run blocker. His pass blocking is solid as well, I really like how he played against neighborhood rival James Madison last season. For those who do not know, the Madison Warhawks have been one of the best teams in Class 6 these past few years and Murphy more than held his own going against their ferocious defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good senior season should get the attention of division 2 coaches, he has the size and skill to play their right away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18008314/659aa552478da40f68658402">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18008314/659aa552478da40f68658402</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1335306"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6696a9c0823cc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1335306' first='Amir' last='Baadani'] can scoot and does very well while throwing on the run, which seemed to be a consistent theme last fall. Back under center for the Cougars Baadani is one tough player, each time I see him take a hit he never lays down on the field. A new set of playmakers to work with this kid could finally take off in his senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/amir_baadani/status/1668052050414907394","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/amir_baadani/status/1668052050414907394 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Newcomers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1311677' first='Deylen' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1312792' first='Brayden' last='Vazquez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1335573' first='Ryan' last='Henriques'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297855' first='Wesley' last='Lattus'], Justin Rankin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297855"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6696ed30b403a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A sophomore starter tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1297855' first='Wesley' last='Lattus'] has a lot of potential and can play at the next level. Lattus is 6'4 and 245 lbs. already and does not seem to be done growing. A top 200 ranked recruit in our 2026 class he has the ability to reach all-concorde district levels as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a good pass blocker who never reaches and does a nice job moving his feet. With the quick receivers that Oakton has, it will be interesting to see if Coach Slay starts pulling him on screen passes, would like to see him blocking more on the run. Very athletic for his size, with more muscle added this kid could be playing on Saturdays very soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><kbd>http://www.hudl.com/v/2PDsMv</kbd></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312792"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6696ed30b4088"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have been high on Vazquez for a couple months now and I like what my co-worker Cole Laing had to say about him below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brayden will be found all across the field at WR, RB, DB, and on Special Teams. He has good foot speed and can accelerate quickly, outrunning most he will face. The tools are there for his success as he displays good hands, ball skills, and processing of the game. He will find himself ranked next year if he continues to develop his game and builds upon his freshman film.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311677"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6696ed30b40c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The hype train is building for [player_tooltip player_id='1311677' first='Deylen' last='Jones'], talking with a couple of local coaches last night, they have confirmed it. Already 6'2 and 185 lbs. Jones should be able to stretch the field for the Cougars and make an immediate impact. Moving very well off the snap Jones is 65th ranked prospect in his class and he has earned that high ranking. A year of varsity football in a elite Concorde District should only see his stock grow higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Head Coach's thoughts on the off-season:</strong><em> We have a tough schedule ahead of us, 7 out of 10 teams on the schedule were playoff teams a year ago, so we have out work cut out for us. Not to mention playing in the Concorde District, where everyone is a tough opponent and well coached. It's important were doing the little things the right way to put ourselves in position to be successful. Overall, its going to be a fun season full of growth</em><strong>! &nbsp;</strong>" Head Coach Brian Slay</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach is right it is tough sledding for his Cougars, competing in a District that typically send two to three playoffs teams a year, it is not going to be easy. I agree with his last statement this season is all about growth for Oakton, they have a nice building block in capable stars to build on. Will the combination of stars and upcoming prospects be enough to catapult to the postseason for the first time since 2012? Not ready to go their yet, but I really like what Coach Slay is building at Oakton, if his squad stays the course I could see a .500 or better season in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>If you are looking to subscribe please feel free to use my coupon code Frederick30 for a 30 % discount!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->