Faith Academy football needs win against San Antonio St. Gerard
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — Two teams needing a victory will meet in San Antonio on Oct. 10.
That’s when Faith Academy (1-5, 0-2) faces the San Antonio St. Gerard Royals (1-4, 0-1), 521 S. New Braunfels Ave., with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
The Royals’ win was against San Antonio Hawkins 49-0. The losses are to Charlotte (48-12), D’Hanis (33-7) and Temple Central Texas Christian (47-14) with a forfeit to San Antonio St. Mary’s Hall.
Faith head coach Russ Roberts said the Flames still have a chance at qualifying for the playoffs with three wins. And he believes this week’s game can help Faith take a step toward the postseason.
“You have to beat St. Gerard,” Roberts said.
The Royals are led by Richard Saldana, Vincent Arciniega and Alex Mack.
St. Gerard’s offensive philosophy is similar to Shiner St. Paul, the Flames’ opponent last week. Faith lost 48-13.
“They like to grind it out,” Roberts said. “They’re very physical. I don’t know if we can play well against anyone who plays that way because of our numbers.”
Faith enters this contest on a three-game losing streak. Against St. Paul, senior quarterback Magnum Burcham found junior Rich Coleman for a 69-yard touchdown. Gavin Henderson added the extra point. Then Coleman scored on a 37-yard touchdown. Both scores came in the second half.
Roberts was pleased with the rushing attack, noting the Flames averaged 5.3 yards per carry. Still, he gave the Cardinals credit.
“They made it very difficult for us to execute anything,” Roberts said.
Other positives included Jonathan Bryer finishing the game, the coach said. Bryer has been battling an injury that has not allowed him to play much in the second half.
Roberts noted that Burcham threw for 119 yards, another plus. The quarterback would have had 81 more yards that were caught by Coleman, but Faith was called for two penalties that wiped out the yards. Tristian Wilson and Rawley Jackson played well, Roberts said.
The Flames’ numbers continue to dwindle. Roberts said he was bracing for having 13 players suited up for the game.
“That will greatly diminish our chances of doing what we’d hoped,” he said. “One of the really hard parts is convincing kids they can win with only 13 players. High school kids buy into a mindset quickly. If someone gives them a reason to lose, they’ll lose every time. We have to get across to them we do have a chance to win.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com