Faith Academy football is undefeated district champs

CAPTION: The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team celebrate a district title. Courtesy photo

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team beat San Antonio Lutheran 58-7 Nov. 8 in the final contest of the regular season. The contest ended after two quarters.

The Flames (4-6, 3-0) welcome Lucas Christian Academy at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, to Britton Field to begin the postseason.

The Flames had already captured the Division II, District 4 championship. But the win against Lutheran means an undefeated district title. It’s new head coach Jay Silvers’ first district championship.

Their last district title came in 2022.

“It’s exciting,” Silvers said. “We really wanted to get in the playoffs and win a state title. Winning the district championship is the cherry on top. It shows the toughness and grit of this team. We are gelling at the right time. (My players) want to do what’s best for the team.”

Offensively, Lutheran looked to create one-on-one matchups by spreading the ball and running the ball. Silvers credited defensive coordinator Garrett Cole and his unit for not allowing that to happen.

“Coach Cole had a great scheme on them,” he said. “The only big play they got was a fumble where we rush the guy, and he wound up picking it up. Otherwise, we shut them down.”

Silvers struggled to name one defensive player who stood out. He noted each one did what he was supposed to, especially the defensive backs who were step for step with receivers. Wade Dillard and Cooper Hansard each had interceptions. Andrew Houy had 4.5 tackles and Landon Silvers had 2 tackles.

“The defense played well as a whole,” he said. “I felt like it was a team effort. They trusted each other to do their jobs.”

Offensively, the Flames scored on the first play, a 66-yard scamper by freshman Landon Silvers for a 6-0 lead.

The Mustangs scored on an 11-yard touchdown run and added the one-point pass conversion for the 7-6 lead.

But Landon Silvers gave Faith the lead back on a 43-yard run to paydirt. Junior Houy added a 35-yard rushing touchdown and a 51-yard rushing touchdown for the 28-7 lead in the first quarter.

Landon Silvers had a 22-yard scoring run and caught a seven-yard and touchdown pass from Houy. On the next drive, Silvers found Houy on a 29-yard passing touchdown. Houy finished the scoring on a 31-yard run.

Faith only got 14 plays and scored eight touchdowns.

“We wanted to make sure we got our blocks and opened holes,” the coach said. “I wasn’t really able to get in-depth (in the playbook).”

Landon Silvers had four rushes for 137 yards and three touchdowns, a 29-yard passing touchdown and a seven-yard scoring reception.

Houy had three rushes for 117 yards and touchdowns, completed all three of his passes for 35 yards and a score and had a 29-yard receiving touchdown.

Kicker Egan Barnes connected on 6 of 8 extra points.

“He did a great job,” Silvers said.

The coach noted the Flames’ approach of being light and focused paid off. They prepared well with a solid week of practice and showed they trusted their coaches by executing the game plan.

“Number one, we’re going to go have fun,” he said. “Number two, it’s a business trip. We have to execute in all facets. They did their jobs — that’s what helps when they have that buy-in. We’re going to go take care of you and do our jobs.”