Ending off the season with a 6-5 overall record, the Atoms showed a remarkable amount of improvement in this year’s football season.

Compared to the 2013 season, where the atoms overall record was 1-9, this year has completely shocked and inspired the AHS community.

“This season definitely gave me more school spirit especially at games and more people came out and participated in the hype squad than they did last year,” junior Amanda Adenan said.

The entire season had brought a different spirit to AHS. The students and faculty were so proud to come and support their team. As the week would drag on students would anxiously await for Friday night to come around so that they could go and cheer their team on.

“It made me feel great. All the hard work and dedication paid off. I  think it brought more spirit to the school, more people wanted to support the football team and watch the games together,” said Running back senior Devin Hamlett. “It gave AHS students more pride in being an Atom.”

Hamlett was also one of the many AHS varsity athletes that made 1st Team All-Conference Honors. Along with Hamlett are senior Abu Kamara,  junior Tim Johnson, senior Ahmed Hassan, senior Khalil Haj-Assaad and senior Tony Gibbs.

Players that made the 2nd Team All-Conference Honors are junior David Park, senior Andre Wright, senior Ayman Mohammed, senior Shawn Courtney, junior Colin Corey, sophomore Malik Moten and senior Wesley Miller.

Honorable Mention recipients include junior Tucker Mack, senior Akim Bangura, junior Cory Pringle and senior Ayobami Fakulujo.

The loss against Battlefield eliminated the Atoms from the Division 6A Playoffs. During the game, the Atoms showed dedication and continued to push against the Bobcat defensive lineman.

After advancing to their first playoff berth since 2007, the Atoms got off to a slow start, not scoring at all before halftime.

The Bobcats held a 35-0 lead after the second quarter and did not give it up throughout the rest of the game.

The first touchdown for AHS came from junior Quarterback Tucker Mack with 3:19 left in the third quarter, making the score 42-6.

The other scores for the Atoms came from senior Running back Devin Hamlett with  five minutes and 3:13 left in the fourth quarter respectively. These scores both came after another Battlefield touchdown, making the score 49-18.

A two-point conversion after the second touchdown put the score at 49-20, where it would stay until the end of the game.

This disappointing playoff game comes after a seven year drought from the 6A North Region post-season for the Atoms.

While it was disappointing, it does mean that the Atoms have something to build upon in the coming seasons.

Hamlett ran for 187 yards on 40 carries adding 2 touchdowns and a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter.

With the weather not being a common friend, it was amazing the amount of people that came out and supported the Atoms. Fans took the hour long drive to come and show their support. Facing the cold weather the atoms were excited.

“ The teams improvement from last year to this year made me more proud to be an Atom. With all the school spirit and talent it definitely brought Annandale together,” Senior Rochelle Kenney said.

The improvement of the team this year definitely has to do with the new coaches and the different play style.  For other teams, trying this different style of play would confuse players and fans. But for the Atoms, it was exactly what we needed this year.