The just-concluded 2016 football season was not the kindest for the North Atlanta Warriors. The team finished with a numbing 1-win-9-loss season. For a group of competitive young athletes, there was widespread discouragement as the losses added up and the season progressed.

For the last game of the season on Nov. 4, the Warriors went up against region foe Cambridge and despite valiant play North Atlanta dropped the game by a score of 50 to 25. During the season’s last practice before the Cambridge game, head coach Jeremy Gainer reminded his charges that wins and losses are not the only way to judge a season’s merits. “We do a lot more here than seek victories on the field,” Gainer said. “What we’re doing here is building character and building for the future and we did that this year.”

Warrior players and the coaching staff are already looking forward to next year. And there’s been much emphasis on the clearly bright spots that followed a season where wins were hard to come by. Don’t let the Warrior win-loss column fool you. There is more than just a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Interviewed players feel strong that the future is bright for the football program at North Atlanta.

“Our bond as a team will help us improve in the future. We push each other, especially through the tough times,” – junior quarterback Dominic Ham.

“By the end of the season, we made such strong relationships with each other. We stuck with it and went through a lot together. Through football, I befriended people I otherwise would not have even met,” – senior linebacker Grayson Woley

“It was a fun experience. I taught me a lot of things through these last four years. I’m glad I did it,” – senior linebacker Alex Figueroa

“It’s more than just football. It’s a family. We support each other through everything.” – sophomore defensive lineman Enzo Vasallo

“As a team we got a lot stronger. Our culture is changing and we’ll come back a lot better next year.” – sophomore linebacker Ben Sumlin

“We have a really young team and a really bright future. I know this: we have a strong foundation to build on.” – senior fullback Marshall Musser.

“We learned to never quit on our team. On and off the field, we are brothers.” – junior offensive lineman Terrell Rainey.

Win or lose, the team’s spirit stayed strong. We’ll look forward to seeing what the 2017 campaign brings for Warrior football.