Oakton's QBs Are Simply Too Much

Oakton Coach Joe Thompson has the kind of problem that will garner him more dirty looks than sympathy in the Virginia AAA Northern Region. He has two quarterbacks whom he would like to have on the field at all times, and only one spot to alternate between them.

Last night was a prime example. Seniors Chris Coyer and Ryan Harris each produced in running the fifth-ranked Cougars' offense, and sure-handed senior running back Trey Watts flaunted his versatility in their team's soggy 37-7 home victory over Annandale.

Coyer, the starting quarterback, threw two touchdown passes to Watts. Harris, like Coyer a left-hander, tossed for a score and ran for another in gaining 64 yards on seven carries. Coyer and Harris also play other positions.

"It's a shame you can't start two quarterbacks, because they're both worthy of starting," Thompson said. "We have to put one of them out there to start the game, but we want both of them at quarterback. I think we're a better team with two of them coming at you than one."

"We're the luckiest team to have two great quarterbacks like that," said Watts, who had 105 yards of total offense and returned a punt for what would have been a 65-yard touchdown if not for a penalty downfield. "You never know what's going to happen because they can both do so many things."

Thompson said he doesn't necessarily game-plan how he will use his quarterbacks, he "game-manages" it based on what's happening on the field. He saw more that he liked last night than he did in a 21-14 season-opening win at Madison last week.

Not counting a long touchdown pass in the final minutes, the Oakton defense gave up only 119 yards to Annandale (1-1).

In addition to the wealth of talent that returned from last year's team, the Cougars have something else going for them -- the lingering disappointment of dropping their final two games of 2007 and missing the Division 6 playoffs.

Beating Annandale avenges one of Oakton's five losses from last year.

"I think these guys played with a sense of urgency and a sense of purpose," Thompson said. "We wanted to try and set a tone tonight for how our season is going to go, regardless of wins, losses and scores."

No. 5 Oakton 37 Annandale 7 In Memory: Before the game, Oakton retired the No. 55 jersey of alumnus David H. Sharrett, a former defensive end who was killed during combat in Iraq in January. The school also established a scholarship in his name. Spoiled Shutout: Annandale senior quarterback Cason Kynes hooked up with sophomore Melvin Robinson on a 59-yard touchdown pass with 1 minute 37 seconds left in the game.