Faith Academy shares philosophy with Center Point, says coach

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

MARBLE FALLS — The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team had a head coaching change in the offseason in the hopes of returning the Flames to their 2011 and 2012 form when they were 21-2.

They’ve turned to a familiar figure, whose roots run deep in Texas football: Stephen Shipley.

Shipley, the father of former Burnet County player Hanner Shipley, is a first-year head coach but wanted the opportunity to help the program.

“Been a dream come true, been a passion of mine my whole life to coach, and I have an opportunity to do it now and taking advantage of it,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it anywhere else, probably, but at a private school like Faith Academy.”

The Flames open the season against a veteran group in Center Point, a University Interscholastic League member of District 14-2A Division II. It’s located in the Kerrville area.

The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Pony Stadium, 1511 Pony Circle Drive in Marble Falls.

The Pirates are led by senior quarterback Aaron Walters, a Texas A&M University baseball commit, who has been impressive on the gridiron, Shipley said. Walters completed 112 of 334 passes for 1,358 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions and had 96 rushes for 225 yards and three touchdowns last season.

“He has a rocket arm, and we’ve seen him make 50- to 60-yard throws on film,” Shipley said. “They’re going to throw it 70 percent of the time. So when you have an arm like they have, especially at a 2A-level school, to get a kid with that caliber arm is rare, so they’ll take advantage of it.”

Senior running back Kade Kitchens was the leading rusher a year ago for the Pirates with 130 carries for 531 yards and a touchdown, while junior Tyler Bryant is the top returning receiver with 18 catches for 262 yards and three scores.

“They’ll pass it, pass it, pass it, then they’ll throw some runs at you,” Shipley said. “Their philosophy is a lot like ours. We’ll throw the ball to open up the run. Then, we’ll run until we have to throw it.”

Both Center Point lines will be led by senior Ethan Chapa. Kitchens is the the team’s leading tackler.

“They’re small, quick,” Shipley said about the Pirates. “They didn’t look like they had much size, but they get to the ball, and they’re aggressive. So we’re working this week. After our two scrimmages, they’re the best opponent we’ve faced so far with their size and speed.”

Shipley believes this game will come down to which squad is in the best physical shape in the fourth quarter.

“Doing anything is conditioning because we’re going to hurry up and run the ball, and you got to be in condition to do that,” he said. “So I think it’s going to be the team that’s in the best condition in the third and fourth quarter who’s going to sustain and win.”

For game results, check DailyTrib.com. For a full schedule, go to KBEYFM.com.

jfierro@thepicayune.com