Flames take momentum from win on road against Sacred Heart

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

MARBLE FALLS — After a much-needed win, the Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team hits the road with the aim of keeping momentum.

It will be a challenge, however, since the Flames (1-5, 1-2 in Division III, District 3 of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools), face Halletsville Sacred Heart (4-3, 1-1) at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Brahmas Stadium, 1331 Fourth St. in Halletsville.

Sacred Heart defeated the Flames 20-0 last season and 38-12 in 2013.

But that past history isn’t something on which head coach Randy Denton dwells.

“We’re definitely going to Halletsville, and we expect to win,” he said. “We had a good week of practice, and we’re ready to go to.”

The Flames are coming off a 55-0 win against San Antonio St. Gerard on Oct. 9.

Sacred Heart is led by quarterback Braden Popp, running back Tyler Kraatz and receiver William Pettus.

Denton said the Indians use their rushing attack to set up their passing game, preferring to use I-formations, split backs and misdirections to get the defense to expect a running play. After Sacred Heart lulls opponents to sleep, they use play action to for an explosive play.

“Our front four and linebackers are going to have to do a good job controlling the line,” Denton said. “The defensive backs are going to have to be disciplined and not bite on the play action.”

Defensively, Sacred Heart utilizes some of the same schemes as the Flames. Though they don’t have a lot of size, they’re unafraid of getting after ball carriers, the coach said.

“They’re aggressive,” he said. “We have to do a better job blocking this week.”

Denton said blocking was one of the few areas he saw that jumped out at him on film during the win against St. Gerard.

“We missed too many blocks,” he said. “We’ve been focusing on that. (We’ll) hopefully clean those areas up.”

One positive from the St. Gerard contest was the number of Faith players who scored: six in all. That allowed coaches to develop depth and reward athletes for their hard work.

“You get a little success, and these guys see some holes open up,” Denton said. “All of the sudden, everybody wants to run the ball and be a running back. It was good for the guys for this year and for the future for those guys to get in there and get experience for sure.”

The Flames have three games left in the regular season, and Denton said they realize they must use them the right way.

“We’re still fighting for that final playoff spot,” he said. “If we can get this one, I think we set up pretty well for the final two games. So we’re going to go and play hard and give it everything we got this week.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com