FALL SPORTS PREVIEW 2013: Faith Academy football
The 2013 Faith Academy football team is Javin Espadron (first row left), Nathanael Moses, Gavin Henderson, Rich Coleman, Braden McBryde, Dalton Mayberry, Jaimeson Sudderth, Tommy Pelham and Josh Debo; Jonathan Reyes (second row, left), Jack Miller, Josh Griffin, Joey Barclay, Jarrett Haydon, Jonathan Bryer, Tyler Rutherford, Connor White and Nathan Klick; Luke Hering (third row, left), Royale Brown, Nathan Peacock, Rachel Ormsby, Zach Haydon, Hunter Worthing, Mitch Earwood, Calley Cozby, Asa Ortiz, Jake Fereday, Clay Cozby and Jacob Metcalf; assistant coach Don Mayberry (back row, left), assistant coach Brandon Byrd, Daniel Penner, Magnum Burcham, Austin Ellis, Matt Manley, Hanner Shipley, Tristian Wilson, Cole Madigan, Michael Penner and head coach Russ Roberts. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
[box]2013 FAITH ACADEMY FLAMES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
(All kickoffs at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Aug. 30 vs. Austin St. Dominic Savio at Round Rock Westwood; Sept. 6 vs. San Antonio St. Anthony; Sept. 13 vs. Austin Eastside Memorial; Sept. 20 vs. St. Mary’s Hall of San Antonio; Sept. 27 vs. John Paul II of Schertz; Oct. 4 vs. St. Gerard (homecoming); Oct. 11 at Temple Holy Trinity (district); Oct. 18 vs. Texas School for the Deaf (district); Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. vs. San Antonio Hawkins at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex; Nov. 1 vs. Central Texas Christian (district); Nov. 8 (bye)[/box]TEAM: Faith Academy of Marble Falls football
HEAD COACH: Russ Roberts
DISTRICT: Division III District 4 of Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
2012 RESULT: 11-1 overall and district and bi-district champions
RETURNERS: Austin Ellis, Royale Brown, Matt Manley, Mitch Earwood, Cole Madigan, Zach Haydon,
NEWCOMERS: Hanner Shipley, Magnum Burcham, Jonathan Reyes, Daniel Penner, Nathan Peacock, Dalton Mayberry, Jack Miller, Nathan Klick, Tyler Rutherford, Connor White
OUTLOOK: Faith Academy has traditionally put a very good football team on the field, but very few people could have predicted what the Flames accomplished in their first year of 11-man competition in 2012. Faith began the season winning and didn’t stop until a 38-12 second-round playoff loss to Halletsville Sacred Heart. Faith finished the season 11-1.
And the Flames did it with 27 players on the roster. But even with eight athletes lost to graduation, the team will have 37 players for the 2013 season. And that has head coach Roberts excited. Brown moves from receiver to running back, while Ellis is still the quarterback/spinner. But Shipley will line up in various spots on the field including offensive lineman, tight end and defensive lineman. His natural strength should open holes for Reyes and other runners.
Upperclassmen who didn’t play last season and new transfers give Roberts more options. He noted competition for starting positions was very good during fall training camp. Defense has been the emphasis this fall since the Flames used spring football to work on their offense.
Overall team speed should be better this season, allowing Roberts to add more to the playbook.
“Their attitude has been good. They’re enthusiastic,” he said. “We have a lot of kids who want to play.”
Faith averaged 41 points a game in 2012 and only gave up an average of 16 points a contest. The district includes Texas School for the Deaf, Temple Central Texas Christian and Temple Holy Trinity. All three schools had changes in the offseason, from coaches taking other jobs to players leaving their teams, Roberts said.
jfierro@thepicayune.com