Faith Academy of Marble Falls remains motivated and committed to staying among the state’s best

Being in shape is vital to a team’s success, especially in six-man football. That’s why Faith Academy of Marble Falls head coach Stephen Shipley called for running plays with long yards towards the end of practice. Then just when the Flames thought they were done for the day, Shipley lined them up again to run 40-yard sprints.

After all, if the Flames want to add another memorable season to their history, it starts with being in better shape than their opponents. That will especially be important considering Faith returns three starters from last year’s squad that finished as the runners-up in Class 2A Division II of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. They are seniors Elijah Blackington and Jordan Tarver and sophomores Cross Sanchez and Kade Shaw.

“I’m happy to put the pieces of the puzzle back together to see who fits where,” said Stephen Shipley, who is entering his fourth season as the head coach. “We’re not going to rebuild – we’re reloading.”

Other players on the roster include seniors Will Lewis, Dylan Norton and Jordan Jones, who is returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2021; sophomores Carter Fromberg and Karter Van Gundy, who both played on the junior varsity last season; and freshmen Andew Houy and Beau Steele.

“We have some young talent,” Shipley said. “There’s athletic ability coming in to help.”

One trait that remains is the commitment to preparation, which is what has pleased Shipley the most.

“The hard work,” he said. “That’s something you can preach and do, but it’s in the hearts of the kids if they can do it.”

Eight of nine graduates on last year’s squad were named to the all-state team. Still, Shipley said this year’s squad is equally dedicated to keeping the Flames among the state’s best. And they’ll be tested early when Austin St. Stephens Episcopal, a team that went 11-0 in 2021 as a member of the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations, visits Britton Field, 3151 RR 1431 East in Marble Falls, at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26.

“We have good kids with good attitudes,” Shipley said. “The ones here last year learned from the seniors and were able to see good examples and the experience of winning. They know they’re expected to win. We have a tradition built of winning. That’s how successful programs are built. Nothing else is acceptable. We’re going into each game with the mindset that we’re winning.”

The Flames will host both scrimmages on Fridays, Aug. 12 and 19. The first features Bulverde Living Rock and Kerrville Our Lady of the Hills at 7 p.m. Aug. 12. The other is against Austin Veritas at 6 p.m. Aug. 19.

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