Faith Academy Junior High starts season with big wins
CAPTION: Faith Academy’s Price Rosamond makes a fingertip catch during the Flames’ win against Bulverde Bracken Sept. 1. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls Junior High football team is 2-0 after wins against Bulverde Bracken Sept. 1 and San Marcos Academy Aug. 25.
The Flames beat Bracken 19-0 in a contest where they scored all the points they needed in the first half then stiffened defensively to preserve the shutout in the second half. With 3 minutes and 3 seconds remaining, lightening was detected. Coaches and officials met to discuss whether they should have a delay or call the game ended. They decided to end the contest.
Faith head coach Jerry Merlick commended his players for their play.
“Defensively, we did amazing cause we’re very focused on the fundamentals,” he said. “Offensively, we had some good plays. The boys did what they needed to do to make plays.”
Seattle Hampton scored the game’s final touchdown on about a 42-yard scamper with seconds left in the first half. Faith relies on quarterbacks Wade Dillard and Austin Skahill to operate the offense.
Faith beat San Marcos Academy 37-26.
Defensive coordinator Jay Silvers credited the offense for its play.
“Wade Dillard threw the ball well. He was accurate,” he said. “Seattle Hampton at wide receiver caught two touchdowns with great long runs. They did really well offensively. We threw the ball extremely well. (My son) running back Landen Silvers ran the ball well.”
Quinton Merlick intercepted a pass he returned for a touchdown and Price Rosamond recovered a fumble.
“Defensively, we shut them down,” the elder Silvers said. “They played well, they knew their assignments. We’re working to try to get there. In practices, they push each other – that’s the best part. We had a great game, we did well.”
The coordinator noted the eighth-graders are being the leaders coaches want them to be.
“They are helping the seventh-graders,” he said. “They’re still learning our system and they’re getting good coaching out of us.”
Head coach Merlick said the challenges for the players include trusting in what they learned in practice and showing it during games.
“Offensively, we need to stick with how the play is designed,” he said. “When that doesn’t work, the quarterbacks need to look up and around. What I’m saying is don’t be a robot. Defensively, we’ve been working really hard on the fundamentals. Coach Silvers is an amazing coach – that’s what I like.”
The Flames will meet Austin Veritas at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8.
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