North Atlanta first-ever opening-game football victory came this season against Kipp Academy Atlanta and the 22-6 win set a promising tone for what was hoped would be a different kind of season for the gridiron Warriors. Prior to the opening game, the team played a scrimmage against the Lovett School and during that pre-season contest, a mere point was the winning advantage for the Lions against the Warriors.

All around, there was hope the team would see improvement in the win-loss balance after last season’s dispiriting no-win season. Team leadership was strong under Jack Ballou and Joey Calcagno, a dual quarterback tandem that would bring offensive versatility to a team that had historically lacked scoring firepower. Receivers Spencer Thomas and Dennis Pueges were threats along with running backs Wyatt Hughes, Guy Pueges and K.D. Welch.

The second game of the season offered more hope for improvement. The team played a tight game against River Ridge in a 15-0 loss. But hope switched to numbing reality in the coming week. A trip to Dalton saw the Warriors get rolled by the Dalton High Catamounts by the score of 42-3. More defeats would come in subsequent weeks. Against Riverwood High, it was a 55-0 loss. Against Sprayberry, it was 45-7. More losses piled up. Cambridge: 45-3. Against Forsyth Central, the Warrior played tough in a 7-0 defeat, but it was more of the lopsided same against Kell with a 35-7 score.

Throughout the season, players have soldiered on and leaned on each other to gut out another tough campaign. “We have built a wall around ourselves,” said Trey Love, a senior offensive lineman. “We don’t let anyone or anything make us lose our faith in each other.”

All along, the team has been pushed, supported and led by the coaching staff that has focused on team unity and consistent effort. “I feel great about this team,” said Shane Owens, an offensive coach. “They’ve been a great group of kids, have put in extraordinary effort, and have been improving week by week. No matter the outcome on the scoreboard, we all stick together.”

It’s been a season that held hope for better things. An opening-game win even pointed to a possible strong start. But because of stiff competition in the tough Region 7 AAAAA, things have gone in a different direction.

A bright future is ahead, and during the 2014 improvement has been incremental. But hopes for more Warrior wins likely will have to wait for future gridiron campaigns. After many years of struggle, the coaches, players, and community look forward to what the future holds for Warrior football.