Atoms Ride Two Arms to Easy Win

Mike Scott, coach of the Annandale High School Atoms, knew his team was better than its disappointing 28-6 loss against Centreville last week.

After defeating the Falls Church Jaguars 35-0 on Friday night, the Atoms proved their coach right.

"It feels great," Scott said. "It's these kids' first win and that's the great thing. I'm really happy for them. They've been working real hard."

The game may have eased Scott's concerns about his team's prospects for the rest of the season, but he still has one decision to make that will keep him up at night.

He needs to decide which of his quarterbacks deserves the majority of the playing time.

Both juniors Tony Hysjulien and Adam Wattenbarger performed well in Friday's game. Hysjulien recorded two touchdown passes, one to senior Andy Craig and the other to senior DJ Lawrence. Wattenbarger meanwhile, created offense with his legs scoring two touchdowns on the ground.

Watternbarger is confident Friday's win won't be the team's only one of the season.

"I'm hoping for eight more. We'll go 9-1," said Wattenbarger.

If the Atoms come out every week with the intensity and effort they displayed in this game, it won't be long before they achieve the expectations Wattenbarger and Coach Scott have for the team.

The hard work Scott talked about was on display itself against Falls Church, as the Atoms frustrated the Jaguars into punts and fumbles that all night long. Annandale wound up forcing four fumbles and recovering three.

Ali Ali-Musa had a huge day on defense, registering two sacks and returning a blocked punt for a touchdown.

"It's my first of many," Ali-Musa said about his touchdown play. "I say thanks to my line for the pressure, I wouldn't have done it without them," Ali-Musa added. "It felt good to win at home in front of our many fans."

Falls Church showed some life in the second half, stalling Annandale's first drive and forcing a punt. The Jaguars' miscues continued, as they fumbled the punt which was recovered by Atoms senior Jake Barnes.

With the Atoms sitting on the Falls Church 42-yard line, Annandale gashed the Jaguars with run after run until sophomore Darius Williams broke a 15-yard carry that set the Atoms up for a touchdown from the 6-yard line.

On the ensuing play, Annandale fumbled the ball, their only big miscue of the night, and Falls Church recovered on the 2-yard line.

Annandale's next game will be Thursday, Sept. 16 against South County.