It’s not how you start, but rather how you finish.

The Oakville Tigers football squad found this out Thursday, Sept. 14, as they dropped their first contest of the season to Ladue High School, 40-33.

After jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first seven minutes of the contest, it looked like things were going the Tigers’ way, but it didn’t last.

Oakville head football coach Mike Genge said his squad let the momentum of the quick start slip through their hands.

“Momentum and field position (were the difference),” Genge said. “We struggled to get going on both sides of the ball and gave them a short field while being backed up.”

Going into halftime with a 33-14 lead over the Rams, the Tigers looked to be in control of the game. However, Ladue came roaring back in the second half of the game, scoring 26 unanswered points.

Genge admitted the inexperience of some on the team may have played into the loss.

“In reality, we are a young team still learning how to win,” Genge said. “We did not attack like we did in the first half.”

Ladue was able to score right before the half with backup quarterback Richard McIntosh. Starter Beau Dolan had been injured the previous week.

“We knew Dolan was potentially hurt, but you try not to put stock in rumors,” Genge said. “We had prepared for both. He is a heck of a competitor. His grit allowed them to keep in the game and eventually win.”

McIntosh finished with four passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in the final minute of the contest.

Genge said the team spoke about finishing the game at halftime and knew the Rams were not out of it despite his team being up by 19 points.

“The No. 1 thing we talked about was finishing the gme,” he said. “I knew with the two touchdowns they had scored, the quarterback was starting to get comfortable. They are a big-play team.”

Oakville led the entire contest until 2:36 to play in the fourth quarter when Ladue kicked a 30-yard field goal to take a 34-33 lead. The Tigers would have a couple chances on offense, but were just unable to get the lead back. Ladue added a touchdown near the end of the contest to seal the victory.

Genge said the Tigers will rally and learn from the loss.

“You just get back to work,” he said. “I told the kids to bank it in their minds and remember how it felt and work to never have the feeling again. We lost a heartbreaker last year to Ladue. You just have to move on.

OHS was set to face Eureka High School the following week on Friday, Sept. 22.

“The random draw of the Suburban Conference has our schedule set up for a test,” Genge said. “ We have to continue to get back to doing what we do, get healthy and be ready to take on a good Eureka team.”