Stallions Can't Find Their Offense Against Atoms

Pete Bendorf is not one to sugarcoat a loss. The South County head coach made no excuses after his Stallions fell to the Annandale Atoms 7-3 on a damp Thursday night. South County was held to less than 100 yards of total offense, settling only for a 27-yard field goal by Mike Ferguson at the start of the fourth quarter.

"We have to execute offensively and we didn't do a very good job of that. We just didn't get it done," Bendorf said.

Even the field goal was a disappointment, as it came after an errant snap on an Annandale punt attempt gave the Stallions the ball at the Atoms' 9-yard line. South County managed to get as close as the 2-yard line before a false start pushed them back to the 7.

Offense was at a premium for the second straight meeting between the teams, as Annandale prevailed 7-6 last year. Bendorf credited Annandale with playing well in tight games.

"They're the type of team that if you give them the lead, they eat clock, and they did a great job of that tonight," Bendorf said.

Annandale ate clock when it mattered most. After Ferguson's field goal, the Atoms ensuing drive saw almost seven minutes elapse, thanks to a fake punt on 4th-and-1 and a defensive pass interference on 3rd-and-8.

The Stallions' defense made up for the offense's lackluster performance for much of the game until Annandale running back Steve Cook broke through for a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter.

The scoring drive came after the teams traded fumbles. South County stripped the ball from Atoms running back Tyrek Worrell and recovered at their own 16-yard line, only to give the ball back three plays later.

Annandale had opportunities to extend the lead early but chose to pass up two field goal attempts in the first half, and the Stallions defense forced turnovers on downs both times.

Annandale kept South County quarterback Jake Josephs off balance all night, pressuring the first year starter into several hurried throws. Josephs looked nimble on a couple of options and scrambles, but couldn't maintain any offensive momentum long enough to move the ball deep into Annandale territory. Josephs fumbled twice, but South County recovered both times.

Joseph's interception just before halftime proved to be harmless, but his second of the night, as the Stallions made one last push, essentially ended the game.

Bendorf knows his team can bounce back, and that the key is in practice.

"That's the great part about this game, that it challenges you," said Bendorf. "It's a teachable time and that's what I'm trying to do here."

The Stallions will certainly be challenged next week as they travel to Centreville, who beat Annandale 28-6 in the opening game this season.