Faith Academy, Round Rock Christian battle for football playoff berth
CAPTION: Faith Academy’s Adam Merlick (14) and Andrew Houy are two reasons why the Flames have a shot at a playoff berth. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team is going to play at Round Rock Christian at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, in what may be its most important game of the season.
Both teams enter this contest looking for a victory and the important head-to-head win to put themselves in the driver’s seat for finishing second in the Division II, District 3 standings of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The district runner-up takes the final playoff spot awarded to the district.
The Crusaders are 2-1, 5-3 overall, while the Flames are 1-1, 3-5 overall.
Offensively, the Crusaders are led by junior quarterback Jordan Greatting and senior athletes Vashon Carter and Jaedan Castro. All three lineup in the backfield.
Flames defensive coordinator Jay Silvers noted his unit will be challenged.
“They move the ball around pretty well as they hit the drops underneath,” he said. “It’s a lot of 1-on-1, 1-on-2. You have to make sure you contain everything. They do create a lot of mismatches. If you get them out in the open and have speed, that becomes a challenge.”
Faith is looking to be more consistent in all phases. Turnovers and missed tackles have plagued the Flames. During last week’s loss to Weatherford Christian in a non-district contest, Faith had four turnovers in a contest that ended at halftime.
Head coach john Hallam purposely scheduled the Lions because he wanted his players to experience going on a long road trip and having to be mentally ready to play after spending hours on a bus. To him, the road trip to the Metroplex mirrored what Faith will be facing in the playoffs.
The one trait coaches have said the Flames continue to display is great effort. The staff commends the players for competing hard every week.
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