Smoking For Jesus aims for another district championship
CAPTION: Smoking For Jesus senior quarterback Isaac Legier ranks in the top 30 nationally in passing and will be counted on to deliver another championship to the Eagles. Photo by Stennis Shotts
The Smoking For Jesus football team is trending in the right direction and is positioning itself for one more district title.
But first, the Eagles (4-5, 2-0) must end the regular season the right way by earning a win over Bulverde Gloria Deo Academy Friday, Oct. 28. The game will be played at 7 p.m. at Wallace Riddell Park in Burnet.
And like Smoking For Jesus, the Lions have plenty to play for, too.
“They’re on the winning side,” head coach Charles Frazier, Sr. said. “They’re in our district, and we’re going to have to win this to solidify our spot in the playoffs. We’re in the position to be the No. 1 ranked team in the playoffs.”
An Eagles victory means winning a district title in the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations, earning a first round bye and hosting a playoff game.
“We’re ranked No. 1 in our district,” Frazier said.
Therefore, Frazier believes Gloria Deo will play with the heart of lions.
“They’re solid,” he said. “They run to the outside.”
Gloria Deo is led by senior Davis Chandler who has completed 22 of 35 passes for 426 yards, 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions and has 79 rushes for 864 yards and 19 touchdowns. Freshman Kai Wallace has 23 rushes for 209 yards and 4 scores and 5 catches for 66 yards. Sophomore Caleb Ross has 24 receptions for 373 and 7 touchdowns.
“Chandler is a hoss,” Frazier said. “He’s run for a ton of yards. We’re definitely going to have our ends keying in. They try to run sweeps.”
The Eagles will rely on their speed and athleticism to make plays on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Isaac Legier is ranked No. 27 nationally in passing by one web site and is leading TAIAO in that category. He has completed 108 of 175 passes for 1,732 yards, 27 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also has 75 rushes for 1,088 yards and 17 scores.
Each TAIAO member will participate in a postseason tournament to decide a state champion. Each member receives a seed based on its district record.
“These kids are locked in,” Frazier said of his players. “The beginning of the season prepared us for this. They’re locked in, and they know what to do.”
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