Concorde Football Co-Player of the Week: Deylen Jones Sparks Oakton High School Football to Victory

This week, Oakton High School sophomore Deylen Jones has been named Player of the Week for his outstanding performance on both sides of the ball. Deylen showcased his versatility by playing multiple positions: wide receiver (WR), tight end (TE), and linebacker (LB). His remarkable contributions helped the Oakton Cougars pull off a thrilling win over Fairfax, proving his value as a key player for his team.

Deylen's stats for the week speak for themselves: 9 receptions, 151 receiving yards, and 8 tackles. However, one of the game's defining moments came when Deylen caught a crucial 37-yard pass that set his team up at the 3-yard line, leading to a go-ahead score. "That catch was definitely my highlight of the week," Deylen recalled. "It was a key play that put us in a position to take control of the game."

Reflecting on his performance, Deylen credited the hard work and preparation that went into the game. "After watching film of Fairfax last Saturday, my teammates, coaches, and I felt we could win if we played a clean game," he said. "On Friday, we played exactly that way, and I contributed both offensively and defensively to help our team succeed."

A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Fairfax botched a snap, allowing Oakton to capitalize and score a touchdown that shifted the momentum. "You could feel the momentum shift and the attitude change on the sideline," Deylen described. "That feeling of optimism motivated us for the rest of the game."

Deylen’s motivation to perform his best comes from his love for winning and the joy of seeing hard work pay off. "I like to win, and I like when my team wins," he explained. "When all the work my teammates and I put in pays off, it's an amazing feeling." His father, who shares a passion for football, also inspires Deylen by offering guidance and encouragement. "My dad loves football and is always giving me suggestions to help me be successful and, most of all, have fun."

This week wasn’t without its challenges. Deylen and his team had to quickly learn new systems designed to exploit Fairfax's weaknesses. "We just worked at it all week and repped the new plays as much as we could," Deylen said. As a two-way player, he is also used to handling pressure and fatigue. "I’m really good at compartmentalizing," he noted. "When I’m on the field, I block out crowd noise and focus on the next play. I’m dialed in mentally to down and distance and what the opponent may run."

Looking ahead, Deylen’s goals for the season are to keep his team focused, improve every week, and surprise a few more teams like they did against Fairfax. He is also eyeing a victory against a Concorde Division team. "By my senior year, I’d like to see Oakton become a serious state championship contender and be a major contributor to our success," he shared. Academics are just as important to Deylen as athletics, and he aims to maintain his high standards in both areas.

When he’s not on the field, Deylen enjoys focusing on his academics and spending time with friends. One of his unique pre-game rituals includes avoiding his phone before games to maintain focus. "In my last year of youth sports, I discovered that when I put away my phone before games, I was more focused and played well," he said.

To his teammates and coaches, Deylen offers a simple but powerful message: "Let’s keep getting better day by day and week by week."

Congratulations to Deylen Jones for earning Player of the Week honors! With his determination, talent, and commitment, the future looks bright for this young athlete and his Oakton team.