Faith Academy football loses to Lucas Academy to end season

CAPTION: Faith Academy junior Andrew Houy stops on a dime to try to reverse his field. Photo by Stennis Shotts

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team lost to Lucas Academy 54-42 Nov. 15 to end its season.

The Flames (5-6, 3-0) are the Division II, District 4 champions.

“It was an amazing season,” said Faith head coach Jay Silvers, who finished his first season at the helm. “We knew our non-district schedule was going to be tough. Those teams were established programs. Playing those guys helped our boys grow by leaps and bounds. We got back to winning district and getting back to the playoffs. “

Faith freshman Landon Silvers returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for the score. The two-point kick was missed, but the Flames led 6-0.

Junior Andrew Houy completed a drive with a 32-yard touchdown run and a 12-0 advantage in the first quarter.

“We started out with a 12-point lead and shut them down on their first drive,” the coach said.

But the Warriors (6-3, 3-3 Division II, District 3 runners-up) scored on an eight-yard run and the two-point kick to trim the deficit to 12-8 after the first quarter.

Lucas Academy took the lead in the second quarter on a 16-yard touchdown pass, 16-12.

Houy found Silvers on two-yard touchdown pass to give the Flames the 18-16 advantage.

But the Warriors answered with a 15-yard touchdown pass and the two-point kick for a 24-18 lead at the half.

Lucas Academy scored on a 45-yard kickoff return seconds into the second half. The two-point kick gave the Warriors a 32-18 lead.

Houy scored on a three-yard run and freshman Egan Barnes connected on the two-point kick to trim the deficit to 32-26.

A two-yard passing touchdown and a one-yard scoring run plus the two-point kicks gave the Warriors a 48-26 lead headed into the fourth quarter.

But Houy scored on a two-yard run and Barnes added the two-point kick to cut the deficit to 48-34.

Lucas Academy answered with a 16-yard touchdown pass and a 54-34 lead.

Houy returned a kickoff 59 yards to pay dirt for the Flames’ final touchdown of the season.

“In the second half, we traded blows,” the coach said. “We had a couple of opportunities to cut the lead down and get a tie. But we couldn’t execute when we needed to. I didn’t see the stuff to show them and get them in the right spot. We committed too many errors.”

Silvers said one big key was the Warriors’ size.

“They were definitely bigger than we were,” he said. “Watching film, we understood that was part of it. When they showed up, their size was different. They were a bigger and more physical team than we were. That really hit us on offense.”

The two-point kicks helped give the Warriors the needed points to escape with the victory. Silvers noted Lucas Academy blocked a Faith attempt, a penalty wiped out a Faith successful kick, and a third attempt was just under the cross bar.

He pointed out that Lucas Academy struggled with one Faith trait that was illustrated by its touchdowns on kickoff returns.

“We were the faster team,” he said.

So he moved Landon Silvers to receiver and kept Houy at quarterback but it wasn’t enough.

“Them being the more physical team, they threw our guys around,” the coach said. “They made some good tackles and good stops. We couldn’t keep the pressure on them.”

CAPTION: Faith Academy sophomore Wade Dillards makes a tough catch during the loss to Lucas Academy. Photo by Stennis Shotts