Faith Academy football looks to finish strong against Lutheran

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team will play at San Antonio Lutheran at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8.

Already the Division II, District 4 champions of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, the Flames (4-5, 2-0) are looking to end the campaign with an unblemished record.

Following the film session earlier in the week, head coach Jay Silvers told his players what’s at stake.

“We want to be the undefeated district champions,” he said.

The Mustangs (1-7, 0-2) have gotten mercy ruled in just about every loss this season. Their only win was against Arlington Heights Christian 42-16 Oct. 4.

And that’s why the Flames are focused, Silvers said.

“They have nothing to lose,” he said. “They can say, ‘We beat the district champions in our last game this season.'”

Lutheran’s offense revolves around its quarterback, Silvers said.

“He’s done really well,” he said. “He created a lot of space. Rushers don’t have a lot of time to get back. They have a few wide receivers.”

Lutheran’s players have size, particularly on the offensive side, Silvers said. And that means the Flames must commit to tackling in a specific way.

“We have to tackle them low,” he said.

Silvers watched every Lutheran game this season and noted the week-to-week improvement.

“They have kids who are learning the game and pushing it up,” he said. “They’ve gotten a lot better.”

Meanwhile, the Flames also have improved. In six-man football, the kicking team has a better chance of recovering onside kicks. But the Flames are averaging about two of those a game. They are also getting key stops at the right moments and capitalizing in a hurry.

During the win at Bulverde Bracken last week, the Flames trailed 32-20 with 2 minutes and 45 seconds remaining in the first half.

A touchdown and recovering the ball on the ensuing kickoff gave the Flames another possession they turned into a touchdown with under 45 seconds left. So by the end Faith went from being down 12 points to winning 36-32 at the intermission and never looked back.

“We want to score every possession,” the coach said.

He likes the focus he is seeing from his players. Silvers said coaches installed a few more wrinkles to keep everyone engaged and in preparation for the postseason.

“We’re out here to have fun,” he said. “And it’s a business trip. We want to get out of there with a ‘w.’ The boys have been good this week. I want us to play a clean game.”