Faith Academy opens playoffs Friday

November 14, 2012, 2:00 pm by Mark Goodson

By Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor

Faith Academy coach Russell Roberts said his team will have cover the pass this week and the plan is to keep winning.

"We’ve got a lot of things going,’’ Roberts said. "My wife said, "we’re not going to have Thanksgiving, we’re planning on playing football.’’’

Roberts, who has four decades of coaching experience, has never had an 11-win season. His son Chris Roberts, the offensive coordinator at Humble Summer Creek, is also in the playoffs.

"We’ve got a little family deal going that one has to outdo the other,’’ said Roberts.

The Flames open the playoffs with a 7 p.m. Friday kickoff against Houston Cypress Christian at Marble Falls’ Pony Stadium.

 The Flames are 10-0 and district champions in the first year of 11-man football. The TAPPS Division III playoffs are a 16-team bracket.

Houston Cypress Christian is a perennial playoff team and suit up 43 players. Faith Academy fields a 26-member squad. Cypress Christian has been to the playoffs five straight years, Roberts said.

"We’re goingto have to guard the pass for sure,,’’ Roberts said. "The spread it out. They are definitely a formidable opponent for us.’’

Faith Academy’s secondary will rely on Jacob Metcalf, Jake Diamond, Royale Brown, Hunter Manchac.

"We change it up a little every week, depending on who we’re playing,’’ said Roberts.

Seth McAnally, Brian Freeman and Jason Bryd are other key defenders at the linebacker positions.

Faith Academy played a warmup game with its underclassmen last week against Lago Vista’s freshmen team. Metcalf scored on runs of 78 and 44 yards to lead the Flames to a 27-12 win Thursday night over the Lago Vista freshmen.

The Flames suited up 19 players in the game, but none of its seniors in the tuneup game for the playoffs.

"Everybody that suited up played, but we basically played the sophomores and freshmen,’’ Roberts said.

Metcalf put the team ahead midway in the first quarter with his 78-yard run. The extra point run failed.

In the second quarter, Zach Haydon hit Matt Manley on a 40-yard scoring pass and Hnter Manchac added the PAT run for a 14-0 lead.

With a minute left in the first half, the Flames struck again on a 45-yard run by Asa Ortiz. The kick failed leading the core at 20-0.

On Faith Academy’s first possession of the third quarter, Metcalf raced 44 yards and added the PAT kick for a 27-6 lead.