The Atoms football team has been put to the test this season as fall sports come a close. At the time of writing, the Atoms are 1-6, with their victory coming from an exciting game against the Justice Wolves on 10/10. The Atoms battled hard and scored 37 points while containing the Wolves to a mere 26 points. The Atoms are hopeful of continuing to contain their opponents to minimal points, and they have added to the win column as the fall season comes a close!
The big win against the Wolves was a great motivator for the Atoms! “It was an awesome feeling” added senior and starting quarterback, Noah Lenn. “We’ve worked hard all year and it’s finally starting to pay off.” The Atoms are putting forth even more effort for their upcoming game against the Mount Vernon Majors, this coming Friday.
The hard work on offense is showing off while the Atoms are putting up points, but thats not the only piece of evidence. The Atoms O is led under the direction of Head Coach Chris Bagot, who is in his second year as the Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Atoms. “We’re doing a much better job of gaining yards after the catch” added Lenn. The atoms increase gain of yards during games has been evident from players like Seniors Abadi Hassan and Carlos Alvarez.
For Senior Abadi Hassan, breaking tackles and gaining extra yardage has been possible due to his strong chemistry with Lenn. “Noah and I have been good friends since before playing football, and now that he is on the team has really boosted up our chemistry” said Hassan. This increase of chemistry has led Hassan to instill trust into his quarterback, and put his best effort into getting open while running routes. Hassan has also been a big contributor to the team during kick off and punt returns, when he is always trying to get the ball as close to the endzone as possible!
Along with the huge team win, some individual players found personal success against the Wolves. Junior Connor Delaney, a Wide Receiver for the Atoms scored a late touchdown for the Atoms. “It felt surreal [to score a touchdown] especially in front of all of my friends and family.” added Delaney. This touchdown was also a chance for redemption for Delaney, adding, “Earlier in the game, I dropped a ball in the end zone, so I am glad to have gotten another chance.”
On the Defensive side of the ball, the Atoms are coming off of their best game of the season against the Wolves, after they contained them to 26 points. This containment was possible from forced incompletions, turnovers, forced fumbles, and turnovers on downs. The Defense is led under the direction of Defensive coodinator and rapper, Cory Daise. Daise has the atoms “Making good plays up front and great tackling” added Junior Austin Graham, a starting Defensive Lineman for the Atoms.
As the final weeks of the football season approach, the Atoms are reflecting on playing with head Coach Chris Bagot for his second year leading the Atoms. Among the program, Bagot has been known to continue traditions from when he was a player for the Atoms, but also continue to introduce modern practices that raise team moral. “I love his mix of old Annandale traditions combined with his more modern ideas” added Lenn. “Its a perfect blend”
The Atoms are hopeful to bring home a game for the win column from their upcoming matchup with the Mount Vernon Majors friday, 10/25. Fans of the Atoms are encourages to cheer them on against the Majors, adb at their next home game 10/31 against the Lewis Lancers! You can also follow the team on instagram @annandaleatomsfootball.
