Atoms fail to capitalize

The Atoms appeared to inherit a lucky situation after their loss to Lake Braddock.  Despite the defeat, the Atoms could still make the playoffs if they could win their final two games against West Potomac and South County.  However, the Atoms squandered that opportunity on Monday, losing to the West Potomac Wolverines 20-6, dropping their record to 4-5.

Annandale was without several players in the matchup.  Senior Matt Johnson sprained his MCL in the 1st quarter and junior Jordan Anderson has left for undisclosed reasons.

Anderson was one of the star players throughout the season, playing both running back and linebacker.  Without Anderson, junior John Copenhaver has had to step up into the lead running back role.

In the game, junior Cason Kynes scored the lone Atoms touchdown on a 1 yard TD run in the 2nd quarter.  The TD put the Atoms only 1 point behind West Potomac with the
extra point to come, but senior Stuart Ruiz slipped before he could kick the extra point.

"We gave up too many big plays," said junior Cason Kynes.  "We were not consistent offensively, and we were not able to be effective on defense."

The Atoms final game of the season is at South County on Fri, Nov. 2.  South County is currently 5-4 on the season.

"We need to run the ball and stop the run," said Kynes.  "We also need a good week of practices, and we need to make big plays in key situations."