Faith Academy football players take part in all-star game
Faith Academy senior football players Matt Manley (left) and Heston Hand stand with Flames head coach Russ Roberts at the conclusion of the 2013 Rock Knapp All Star Classic on Dec. 14. The all-star game was for seniors playing for teams that are members of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial School. Courtesy photo
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
HOUSTON — The Faith Academy football team recently added more postseason honors.
Seniors Matt Manley and Heston Hand helped the South all-star team defeat the North 13-3 on Dec. 14 during the Rock Knapp All Star Classic of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools.
Flames head coach Russ Roberts said both players competed well, with Manley recovering a fumble late in the contest to preserve the victory.
“Both got some quality plays,” he said. “Both told me, ‘Coach, I had a blast.'”
Mitch Earwood and Austin Ellis also were chosen but were unable to play, Roberts said.
Roberts has had 10 Flames invited to play in the all-star game since he took over the program four years ago.
Heston was named second-team all-state, while Manley, junior running back Royale Brown and junior tight end Hanner Shipley were named honorable mention.
Hand led the Flames with 83 total tackles, 38 solo tackles, one sack and an interception. Manley recorded 31 tackles, a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Brown had 111 carries for 879 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught three passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Shipley caught 13 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns.
Roberts said some of the hardest positions for an athlete to be named all-district in is linebacker and running back and noted not being in the Dallas-Fort Worth area doesn’t help.
“Happy to get anybody on,” Roberts said. “Very hard this year. These guys deserved it, but so did some others. You almost have to maybe get to the semifinals or finals to get a vote for underclassmen.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com