Final possession leads to Faith football’s outcome
CAPTION: Faith Academy senior Karter Van Gundy (5) was a big part of why the Flames had a chance to beat a top 5 team. Photo by Stennis Shotts
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team lost to Cherokee 99-93 Oct. 11 in the Flames’ final pre-district contest.
Faith (2-5) takes a bye week Oct. 18 before starting play in District 4, Division II of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
“We definitely had our chances to win that one,” Flames head coach Jay Silvers said. “We had some turnovers on kickoff returns, we couldn’t get some timely stops. And we took the No. (6 team in the latest Class 1A Division II poll of University Interscholastic League members) to the wire. It felt good.”
The Flames trailed by a couple of touchdowns late in the contest but scored with about two minutes left. They tried an onside kick, but Cherokee caught it. The Indians (5-1) got the necessary first down to run out the clock and escape Marble Falls with a victory.
“Cherokee got the ball last,” Silvers said. “They ran well all night. Whoever had the ball last was going to win. They got one first down. That was all they needed.”
Following the 62-12 loss to Oglesby Oct. 4, Silvers and defensive coordinator Cole Garrett broke down every piece of the film with the aim of pinpointing where they can help the players compete to their fullest abilities.
The coach, who also serves as the offensive coordinator, credits the athletes and Cole for their dedication to putting in the work to get better and displayed the fruits of that labor against Cherokee.
“We changed our offensive scheme. We added more blockers to hold things longer,” he said. “On defense, we have a lot of young guys. They all played well.”
Junior Andrew Houy had 14 rushes for 144 yards and three touchdowns, completed 18 of 23 passes for 158 yards, four scores and an interception, had four receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns, and caught an interception he returned for a score.
Freshman Landon Silvers had 10 carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns, completed 9 of 12 passes for 154 yards and two scores, and caught four passes for 59 yards.
Junior Adam Merlick had eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Karter Van Gundy caught seven passes for 39 yards and three scores.
“Karter had an outstanding game,” Silvers said. “Everyone from Adam, Andrew, Karter, (junior) Joey Riccio all decided they were going to do everything they could to get us into the end zone. I feel a lot better going into district. I feel better with our scheme. I have ideas about what we can work on to get better.”
