Faith Academy Flames fall to Hill Country Christian, 62-28
Faith Academy’s Colby Offutt evaded defenders and found open field during the Flames’ game against the Hill Country Christian School Knights on Nov. 2 at Westwood Stadium in Austin. The Knights won 62-28. The Flames’ final game of the regular season is Nov. 9 on the road against Round Rock Christian Academy. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton
EDITOR DANIEL CLIFTON
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls Flames kept things interesting through the first half Nov. 2 against the Hill Country Christian School Knights at Westwood Stadium in Austin.
The Knights took an early 8-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Flames responded later in the quarter to make it an 8-6 game. Though the Knights edged out to 30-20 lead at the half, Faith found ways to keep themselves within striking distance.
The second half, however, proved a bit more favorable to Hill Country Christian, who went on to win, 62-28. The loss drops the Flames to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in Division 1, District 2 in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The Knights improve to 3-6 overall and 2-2 in district play.
After forcing a turnover on downs on Faith’s opening drive, the Knights took over with a short field. Faith’s defense found a foothold and was containing the Knights’ offense, forcing them into a fourth down on the Flames’ 26-yard line.
The Knights, however, not only made first down yardage, but sophomore Brady Horne kept going for the touchdown, setting up an early 8-0 lead.
The next several drives found both defenses stepping up to the challenge with Faith recovering one fumble. Faith didn’t capitalize on the turnover, but it sent the Knights’ offense to the sidelines for a little longer.
On its next drive, Faith began on its own 26-yard line, but the Flames didn’t stay there long.
The Flames kept the Knights’ defense on its toes as Faith’s Travis Hughes used a number of his teammates, as well as himself, to move the ball down the field. The Flames worked their way down to the Knights’ 16-yard line, where Hughes hit Colby Offut for the touchdown. Faith didn’t convert the point-after attempt but only trailed 8-6.
But the two-point gap didn’t last long. Faith attempted an onside kick, which bounced into the arms of Hill Country’s Evan Read, who returned it for a touchdown and a 14-6 Knights’ lead.
Hill Country added to their lead at about the 6-minute mark in the second quarter, but Faith responded with a 46-yard drive capped off by a Grayson Poage touchdown reception.
The Knights and the Flames traded touchdowns — Faith’s coming off a Hughes-to-Poage pass play — before the half. Hill Country held onto a 30-20 lead.
The Knights quickly added eight points in the second half, but the Flames answered right back. This time, Ben Wilson raced along the Knights’ sideline for a 76-yard touchdown reception.
It would be the last time the Flames found the end zone.
Hill Country Christian added three more touchdowns to cap off their 62-28 victory.
The Flames are on the road again next week when they take on Round Rock Christian Academy at 7:30 p.m. It’s the last game of the regular season.