Faith Academy football faces Brackenridge in short week

CAPTION: Faith Academy junior Adam Merlick was simply a ball hawk against San Marcos Academy and will be counted on to do the same against Bulverde Bracken. Photo by Stennis Shotts

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team is traveling to play Bulverde Bracken in a rare Thursday game in a battle for first place in the Division II, District 4 standings of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.

The two kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Those who can’t travel to the game can watch a free broadcast here.

The Warriors (4-3, 1-0) are led by sophomore quarterback Jack Bruggraaf, who has completed 82 of 149 passes for 1,100 yards, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions and has 18 rushes for 164 yards and two scores.

Sophomore Kevin Hyder has 38 rushes for 271 yards and five touchdowns and 10 receptions for 91 yards and a score and freshman Carson Echt has 27 carries for 257 yards and six touchdowns and seven catches for 162 yards and two scores. Freshman Atlas Gentry has 24 receptions for 463 yards and eight touchdowns.

“They have athletes,” Faith head coach Jay Silvers said. “They like to throw the ball a lot. Bruggraaf has a decent arm. He moves around a lot. Defensively, we have to rush to try to contain him. We have to limit their big plays by getting after their quarterback.”

The Flames (3-6, 1-0) will rely on a slew of defenders including junior Adam Merlick, senior Karter Van Gundy and and sophomore Price Rosamond.

But perhaps the best defense is a productive Faith offense. Silvers, who serves as the program’s offensive coordinator, noted his multiple offense allows the Flames to attack opponents on the ground and through the air.

That means getting playmakers Carter Fromberg, a senior, Andrew Houy, a junior, and Landon Silvers, a freshman, going as soon as possible.

“We’re able to adjust pretty quickly to what they do,” the coach said.

Bracken’s defense is led by sophomore Luke Leslie, who has 46 tackles, five interceptions, four pass deflections and a fumble recovery, Hyder, who has 40 tackles, an interception and a pass deflection, and freshman Cole Weakley, who has 33 tackles and a fumble recovery.

CAPTION: Faith Academy senior Karter Van Gundy lunges for the ball as it takes a perfect bounce. Photo by Stennis Shotts