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Sports

Second Half Dooms Annandale in 54-14 loss to West Potomac

Annandale can't slow West Potomac offense, falls to 1-4.

After keeping things close in the first half Friday, Annandale couldn't contain the explosive West Potomac offense and suffered a 54-14 loss. Steve Schwartz completed 12 of 29 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and Jack Johnson and Marcus Walton combined for 190 yards rushing for the Atoms. 

Despite the success in the ground game, Annandale couldn't create enough opportunities to put the ball in the end zone and the Wolverines made the most of four Atom turnovers.

Despite allowing West Potomac to jump out to a quick 14-0 lead, Annandale recovered with an efficient 11 play drive capped by Schwartz's seven yard touchdown pass to Joe Bermingham. The Atoms converted a short fourth down around midfield on the drive as their offense appeared to be getting into gear heading into halftime. 

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Wolverines running back Demornay Pierson-El showed why he's an All-Met candidate as he added to his staggering season numbers. After being held to 40 yards in the first half - but still finding the end zone twice - the junior erupted for 141 yards,  three more touchdowns and finished with just under 300 all-purpose yards.

Annandale used a platoon of running backs with Walton and Johnson leading the way. Walton matched his season high with 90 yards, and Johnson gave the Atoms their first 100 yard rusher of the season. Johnson also added a five yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

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Annandale intercepted West Potomac quarterback Caleb Williams twice, one by Kendall Sapp and one by Jae Min Kim.

The loss drops the Atoms to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the Patriot District. They'll face another stiff test next week when they host West Springfield, though the schedule should get a little easier after that. Their final four opponents have a combined 5-15 record.

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