August 15, 2007

The Oakville Longhorns didn't get the result they were looking for in last weekend's Northern Football Conference semifinal game against the Tri-City Outlaws.

Head coach Barry Emo, however, did get what he'd been looking for all season -- a true team effort.

Playing without top receiver Vaughan Swart (personal commitments), the Longhorns stuck with the regular-season champion Outlaws through the entire game and nearly had an opportunity to tie the contest in the final minute.

After scoring a touchdown with 1:03 remaining in regulation to pull within eight points, the Longhorns attempted an on-side kick in the hopes of regaining possession and driving for the tying points. The Outlaws managed to recover the ball, however, and held on for a 36-28 triumph, ending Oakville's season.

"I don't think, in the years that I've coached in this league or the teams I've had, that I've ever had more respect for a group of guys than I did Saturday night," said Emo, who coached the Milton Marauders to a Canadian senior football title in 2004. "They battled and gave everything. Realistically, we ran out of time."

Oakville outgained the Outlaws in yards by a 417-224 margin, with 390 of the Longhorns' yards coming through the air.

Tri-City, however, took advantage of several Oakville turnovers. Longhorns quarterback Tommy Denison's desperation lunge from his own end zone resulted in a four-yard interception return by the Outlaws, while a Will Mayhew fumble deep in his own territory led to another Tri-City major.

Emo wasn't about to be too hard on Denison or Mayhew for the mistakes, however, noting they were almost trying too hard.

"I can never find fault with an athlete trying to make a play," he said.

Oakville scored first on a Mike Bartello 68-yard touchdown reception from Denison, but the Outlaws responded immediately with a 96-yard kickoff return for a score.

Bartello scored again in the first quarter, on a 22-yard catch, but Tri-City notched two touchdowns and a safety to lead 21-14 at halftime.

Kyle Kneller and Chad Kennedy reached the endzone for Oakville in the second half.

Emo plans to have exit meetings with each player over the next two weeks and said the team will meet several times during the offseason before beginning indoor workouts in late February.