The Atoms football team took on the West Potomac Wolverines in their first conference game of the season on Oct. 12.

After jumping out to an early lead, the Atoms saw the Wolverines close the gap and tie up the game after the half. The Atoms would rally back late to defeat West Potomac by a score of 30-16.

AHS came into the game with a record of 1-5, coming off a loss to the Marshall Statesmen the previous week. West Potomac came into the game with a record of 2-4, having lost their previous game to the T.C. Williams Titans.

Many came into the game expecting a very competitive result between both highly-skilled conference rivals.

The Atoms opened the game with a touchdown in the first quarter with a rush by senior Dazon Harrison on their opening drive followed up by a defensive fumble recovery in the end-zone for a touchdown by junior Danny Flynn.

The Atoms defense stepped up as Flynn made a second defensive stand by forcing a safety to go up 16-0 going into the half. The Wolverines rallied back into the game in the third quarter with back-to-back touchdown drives, each followed up by a successful two-point conversion to tie up the game at a score of 16-16.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the teams remained deadlocked at 16. However, with about nine minutes remaining, the Atoms found the end-zone with a touchdown rush from sophomore Danny Salisbury following an amazing defensive series to retake the lead 23-16.

The Atoms weren’t done yet, as they scored a late game touchdown run by senior Baron Davis to seal the deal with a score of 30-16.

Despite the win and defeating the Wolverines, the team quickly turned their focus towards their next opponent, the Mount Vernon Majors.

“The win doesn’t matter,” senior quarterback Devin Gill said.”We have Mount Vernon to play.”

The Atoms will face the Majors (6-1) in the team’s final home game of the season on Oct.19