PRZVA Team Preview: Annandale Atoms

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use code <strong>frederick30</strong> for 30% off your first billing cycle for all annual subscription</em> <em>options</em>***</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Years Result</strong>: 2-8 (Playing in the Class 6 National District)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering year two under Head Coach Chris Bagot the Annandale Atoms will look to right the ship. The Atoms were very competitive in the majority of contests last fall so that 2-8 record is a deceiving. Returning starters on both sides of the ball and some key young players, will help Coach Bagot get them back on track. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Returnees:</strong> Dom Vejcik, [player_tooltip player_id='1361427' first='Daniel' last='McClendon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1233196' first='Khalid' last='Muhiden'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361429' first='Osman' last='Conteh'], Thomas Nields, [player_tooltip player_id='1361438' first='Yanni' last='Prionas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361433' first='Noel' last='Sanchez']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1233196"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b13ea4e7b0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing a lot the last two seasons for the Atoms receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1233196' first='Khalid' last='Muhiden'] has a chance for a bigger role offensively. Two of Annandale's top receivers have graduated and Muhiden will be called upon early to be the number 1 guy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has been a very active corner for the Atoms with good footwork and active hands. Offensively you can see the playmaking potential with the ball in his hands. I would expect Coach Bagot to call his number early and often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1233196' first='Khalid' last='Muhiden'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1233196' first='Khalid' last='Muhiden'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361427"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b13ea4e7b69"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moving to the defensive line for his senior campaign [player_tooltip player_id='1361427' first='Daniel' last='McClendon'] is a physical young man. Playing linebacker the past couple of years I can see why they are moving to defensive end, he has a real chance to play at the next level there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still growing at 6'0 and 190 lbs. he has good speed off the edge which could translate into a high amount sacks for McClendon in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1361427' first='Daniel' last='McClendon'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1361427' first='Daniel' last='McClendon'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361429"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b13ea4e7bd3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another young man who will be counted on is [player_tooltip player_id='1361429' first='Osman' last='Conteh'], who has played defensive back and running back this past two seasons. Defensively he can outside linebacker, safety or corner for the Atoms, but offensively is where Coach Bagot will be counting on him more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has a good burst and vision playing running back and should figure heavily into the Atoms offensive game plan. One of the faster kids on the team, [player_tooltip player_id='1361429' first='Osman' last='Conteh'] is poised for a nice senior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1361429' first='Osman' last='Conteh'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1361429' first='Osman' last='Conteh'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361438"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b13ea4e7c15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A tough defensive back who started as a sophomore is [player_tooltip player_id='1361438' first='Yanni' last='Prionas'], really like what I saw out of him. He shows no fear at corner and will stick his pads into anyone, very aggressive in his tackling. Prionas should get more opportunities offensively at receiver too, he has good speed to create separation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1361438' first='Yanni' last='Prionas'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1361438' first='Yanni' last='Prionas'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361433"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b13ea4e7c64"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Annandale has to replace the entire offensive line and parts of the dline due to graduation and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1361433' first='Noel' last='Sanchez'] is in line to step up. Not the biggest lineman at 5'9 but he shows good strength and balance on both sides of the ball. I believe that Coach Bagot will be leaning on Sanchez more on offense early on as he looks like a stout guard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key-Newcomers: Noah Lenn, John Nguyen, [player_tooltip player_id='1362596' first='Noah' last='Plank']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1362596"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66b24ef3786f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1232713' first='Luke' last='Wuhrer'] transferred this off-season to Blue Ridge, sophomore Noh Plank appears to be taking over at quarterback. While he certainly has some upside at 6'0 and 170 lbs. there wasn't any film on him so were going on this based on Coach Bagot's word. Plank will have big shoes to fill replacing Wuhrer, but he appears more than ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach thoughts on the off-season:</strong> " <em>The Atoms have a motivated group with a lot of players trying to prove themselves.  After graduating the entire offensive line, top two WRs, and RB the Atoms have lots of options to fill the holes left. </em>“ Head Coach Chris Bagot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Annandale has to replace a lot of quality starters from last year but you can tell from Coach Bagot the Atoms are fired up for 2024. Their schedule is not easy with 6 playoffs team from a year ago on it. The Atoms are rebuilding but have a nice group of individuals clearly ready to make their mark. Particularly on the defensive side of the ball is where I see the most progression for Coach Bagot's squad, will it lead to .500 or better season, that I do not know. Coach Bagot is in for the long haul though regardless, if his players buy in early, then Annandale will have a fun successful season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->