Eight Flames named to first-team all-district
MARBLE FALLS — After posting an 11-1 season record and winning the Division III District 4 championship, most of the Faith Academy football team starters were named to the all-district teams, according to head coach Russ Roberts.
“There are five teams in our district,” he said. “There aren’t that many kids who started for us who didn’t get mentioned.”
Roberts said he was pleased with the results, particularly for senior blocking back Seth McAnally, who was nominated as a tight end.
“There is no position for blocking back,” Roberts said. “We nominated him for what there was a closest connection. He was third or fourth in receptions on the team, and he was the lead blocker for almost every run play we had.”
The same can be said for junior quarterback Austin Ellis, who was named to the second team as a running back but a first-selection as a defensive tackle.
“It’s like pushing a square into a round hole,” the coach said of him as an offensive player. “When Austin moved, he never dreamed this. I can’t imagine him fitting into anyone’s offense better than ours.”
ON OFFENSE: First team — senior running backs Brian Freeman and Jason Byrd, senior blocking back Seth McAnally and senior offensive lineman Brendan Cockroft. Second team — junior offensive lineman Mitch Earwood, junior running back Austin Ellis, kicker Freeman. Honorable mention — junior offensive linemen Jake Fereday and Cole Madigan, junior tight end Matt Manley and sophomore receiver Royale Brown.
ON DEFENSE: First team — senior linebackers Seth McAnally and Michael Masterson, senior defensive back Jake Diamond and defensive tackle Ellis. Second team — linebackers Byrd and Freeman, defensive end Manley, freshman defensive back Jacob Metcalf, defensive back Brown. Honorable mention — senior defensive end Trey Cherry, junior defensive back Hunter Manchac and defensive tackle Cockroft.
QUOTABLE: “(District coaches) were very, very accepting of what our kids had done,” Roberts said.