New coaches bring fresh insights to Faith Academy football

CAPTION: Faith Academy football players Karter Van Gundy and Wade Dillard block while the offense is working against the defense during practice Aug. 6. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football players hustled from one drill to the next Aug. 6 on their second day of training camp under the direction of new head coach Jay Silvers.

Silvers was with junior high coach Russell Roberts, the school’s former head coach about a decade ago, as they worked on a defensive line drill with half of the team.

The other half was with new defensive coordinator Garrett Cole as they worked on passing drills.

Silvers was pleased with the pace, pointing out the Flames who participated in strength and conditioning with him and the staff have the energy to get through the grind of fall training camp.

“They came in surprisingly in shape,” he said. “I thought we’d be breaking off more rust. I talked to a lot of parents already. They said their sons came home and took a nap. Sleep is the best way to recover. This morning when they came out, they’re still fired up.”

Silvers said the players’ approach so far is what has pleased him the most.

“Their drive and excitement,” he said. “They want to be here. They want to work hard. It may be a new drill. They’re willing to work through it and grind through it. I’m excited for them.”

Silvers has been a member of the coaching staff for at least four years, serving as the defensive coordinator and coaching the junior high squad. But with Cole and Roberts joining the program, the two are bringing Silvers ideas for other drills and how to make practices more productive and efficient, he said.

“Coach Roberts has probably forgotten more football than we know,” Silvers said. “He’s a wealth of knowledge. He and I are pulling things together. The knowledge he has is just amazing. He’s all in 100 percent. He’s given me feedback. He sees things differently than I do. I love having him out here.”

Not only does he appreciate and welcome their input, Silvers also appreciates how the players are responding.

“They want to work hard,” he said. “It may be a new drill, but they’re willing to work through it and grind through it. I’m excited for them. Practices look different.”

The Flames have timed periods, a benefit to players because they know there’s only so much time allotted to what they’re working on. That allows them to put in quality time and get the most of that work, Silvers said.

“Anytime they can work as a group of boys, they want to perfect it themselves,” he said. “They really want to make sure they do it right.”

The Flames also feel comfortable telling their coaches if they believe they need another rep at a task. Silvers appreciates that the most.

“That speaks volumes,” he said. “They’re asking questions. When you ask questions, that means you want to learn. That speaks volumes.”

The Flames end the first week with a 9 p.m. practice Friday, Aug. 9, at Britton Field on the Faith campus following the academy’s Back to School Blast.

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CAPTION: New Faith Academy defensive coordinator Garrett Cole was the quarterback during a passing drill. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro