Faith Academy football goes through playbooks in full pads

CAPTION: Faith Academy quarterback Madden Kinnee tries to make the pass through the outstretched arms of Adam Merlick. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team continued practicing in full pads Aug. 12 by running through the offensive and defensive playbooks.

Head coach and offensive coordinator Jay Silvers huddled with his unit, while defensive coordinator Garrett Cole corrected his players in between plays. Once the offense lined up, Cole asked for extra time to teach the Flames how to read the offense and know what to do as they saw the formations.

Silvers could see “a lot of growth, a lot of good stuff” during the session and practices.

“The boys are willing to work hard,” he said. “They grinded, they work hard. There’s very little distractions. I was really proud of them.”

Silvers switched to the offensive side of the ball for the Flames for the first time after serving as the defensive coordinator for a few years. So finding a defensive coordinator who could teach and get the most out of the Flames was a big priority. Silvers believes Cole is filling that role nicely.

That’s because he sees how Cole communicates with the players, pointing to different spots on the field, and how he corrects them on the spot to give them a chance at success.

“They’re showing the ability to pick it up really quickly,” Silvers said. “They understand what Cole wants. We’re showing them all the different (opponents’ offensive) formations. The boys are talking and they’re moving around.”

The offense was able to move the ball with drives starting near midfield. But an interception and a fumble got the unit off schedule. The scheme strives to be balanced with a power run game able to move the ball with a passing attack that can get yards in a hurry.

The defense is able to adjust well to the passing game, while the offense has been able to stay on schedule by running the ball. Silvers credited the receivers for that, adding they’re emphasizing “selling the routes.”

“We’re flying,” Silvers said. “It’s not a slow process offensively. It’s not ground and pound. It’s us flying. They’re finding the creases and able to see how the defense is.”

Before Silvers allowed the practice to end, he put the players in the end zone to run lined and then do modified burpees or up-downs.

While the Flames were tired, they got through that final portion well.

“They’re all in pretty good shape,” Silvers said. “I can tell they’ve been working hard. The majority are in conditioned.”

Practices continue throughout the week. The Flames welcome Valor for a 6 p.m. scrimmage Friday, Aug. 23.

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CAPTION: Faith Academy quarterback Landon Silvers scans the field to find an open receiver as his dad Jay Silvers, the Flames head coach, looks on. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro