Faith Flames beat Austin Royals with high-scoring third

STAFF WRITER JENNIFER FIERRO

A 45-point third quarter propelled the Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team to an 87-60 win against Austin Royals Homeschool on September 13 in a six-man contest at Britton Field in Marble Falls.

The Flames led 18-12 after the first quarter and 32-24 at the half, though the Royals scored a touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter.

During halftime, Faith head coach Stephen Shipley said he emphasized to his players the importance of closing out quarters as they made adjustments for the second half. He was thrilled to see his players respond.

Shipley credited his team’s physical shape.

“We were a lot better conditioning wise,” he said.

Senior quarterback Travis Hughes completed 30 of 41 passes for 532 yards and nine touchdowns with no interceptions.

“He had by far his best game,” Shipley said. “He’s coming along and getting a hang of the offense. He made a lot of plays scrambling and avoiding the rush.”

Senior Colby Offut caught six touchdown passes and ran for another. Juniors Cody Wilson, Grayson Pogue, and Gunner Blair and sophomore Case Coleman each caught a touchdown pass.

Pogue also threw a touchdown pass.

“We were getting in a rhythm,” Shipley said. “Travis made good throws. He can throw it up and let Case and Colby get there.”

Sophomore Brendan Thames recorded a safety for the Flames, and Faith recovered two fumbles and had two interceptions.

Shipley commended Royals sophomore running back Bo Pogue, who had most of the touchdowns for his team.

“He was hard to bring down,” Shipley said. “He was like (former Dallas Cowboys fullback) Daryl Johnston. They’d give the ball to him, and he’d score. We’d have to come back and score.”

The Flames (2-1, Division I, District 2 of TAPPS) plays Cherokee High School (0-3, District 16-1A Division II) on Friday, September 21, at Britton Field on the Faith campus, 3151 RR 1431 East in Marble Falls. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

jfierro@thepicayune.com