For former Oakton quarterback Kevin

Houghton, the 2005 football season is something he will probably never forget. After all, he did lead his team to a state championship, and what could be better than that?

"To me, nothing else really mattered besides winning the state championship," said Houghton.

For Houghton— and the rest of Northern Virginia—what was so memorable about Oakton's run to a state title was the fashion in which they did it. After failing to win their own district, they somehow managed to win the region. After securing a date with Landstown in the state championship game, they again pulled off another mammoth-sized upset and limited the high-flying Percy Harvin led offense to a measly seven points.

After the 2005 state championship, Harvin would later lead Florida to a national championship while teammate Damon McDaniel played for Florida State as a true freshman. Keith Payne, the hero for Oakton during their magical run to the state title, has a promising future at Virginia. But for Houghton, the man who orchestrated Oakton's Cinderella run to a state title, where did he end up?

Well to solve that riddle, just take a trip up I-95 and you'll eventually cross over into Worcester, Massachusetts and you'll drive by

Holy Cross' football stadium, which is Houghton's new stomping ground.

"It's pretty brutal how cold it gets," said Houghton of his new residence. "Once January hits, it's painful to walk outside."

Aside from adjusting to the New England cold, Houghton is also adjusting to a new position. Instead of playing the role of gunslinger, Houghton has been put in at the H-back position for Holy Cross.

"It's different not playing quarterback," said Houghton. "There's a lot more contact for one, the game is a lot faster, and it kind of took me a while to get used to that. It's just a different game speed and more contact, but you know, it's fun hitting guys."

Houghton has already guided his high school team to a state title in talent-rich Virginia and did so against one of the most talented teams to ever emerge from the Commonwealth. Yet is it still tough to readjust to a new level of competition?

"It's definitely a pretty tough transition," said Houghton. "It's the same game, but different level and it took me a while to get used to some stuff."

"The game speed is quicker, the hits are harder, everything's real competitive, and everyone works real hard. In high school you can outwork everyone, but at the college level, everyone's working that hard."

Aside from changing positions and readjusting to the faster pace of the college game, Houghton has found that the Holy Cross academic work load is a bit different than that of Oakton's.

"Here everything is hard. There isn't an easy class," said Houghton. "High school is kind of easy because I didn't really do much work. I just kind of got by because I took easy classes."

"It's tough balancing football also, but I'm glad I'm [playing football] because I don't know what I'd do. It's not good to have too much time on your hands. I think football takes up a lot of time, but I enjoy it."

While Holy Cross is known for its rigorous academics, their football team has become an annual contender for the Patriot League championship, and last year came within one point of being crowned conference champs and advancing to the Division I-AA playoffs.

"We've got a lot of great young guys at Holy Cross and we're really building the program up, and most our guys are coming back, so I think we'll be in a real good position this year," said Houghton.

Whether we can expect to see Houghton out on the field guiding Holy Cross to the same success as he did the Oakton Cougars remains to be seen. One thing is for sure however, and that it is Houghton loves the situation he's in.

"I love playing football and I wouldn't have it any other way. I really don't think I would," said Houghton. "I really like the school, the academics, and [Holy Cross] will give me some good opportunities once I leave school… I'm playing high level football too so I'm very thankful. I don't think I can have anything else."

However satisfied Houghton is with his state championship, top-notch education, and ability to play at the next level, there is still one more thing Houghton would like to accomplish.

"I'm going to hopefully one day be a Senator, that's my aspiration," said Houghton, who currently interns with State Senator

Ken Cuccinelli in the 37th district of Virginia.

For Houghton, he sees his previous accomplishments on the football field for Oakton and Holy Cross as only stepping stones to a successful career in politics.

"Everything in life is about winning. To me, it's not just about playing a game," said Houghton. "Football teaches you to be competitive, work hard, and really teaches you those things that are very important when you're not playing football. That's one of the things I'm real proud about. I think football really helps you with other things. So I'm hoping it puts me in a good position."

If in fact success in football can dictate a successful career in politics, Houghton's political career should go just fine.