The Faith Academy Knights ended their run in the TAPPS football playoff with a loss to San Marcos Hill Coun try Christian, 68-23. The game took place on a neutral site at Hearne ISD stadium.
The Knights were led by the double-headed sword of senior ball carri - ers, Josh Stark and Jack - son Dunn. Faith would score on its opening drive, on a score from Stark.
Dunn would score the other two TDs in the con - test for the Knights. Dunn scored on a 47-yard pass from junior QB Dyllan Olivares, as well as a run from 16 yards out in the 3rd quarter.
Olivares ended the contest going 13-21 for 214 yards with a TD and an INT.
The offensive line, featuring juniors Riley Heyman and Wyatt Da - vis, along with soph - omore Brody August, played exceptionally well in the contest.
The Knights gained 146 rushing yards. The Hill Country defense proved difficult for the Knights to handle. On de - fense, the Knights were led by Davis, Dunn, and senior Gage Wilson. Wil - son and Davis would lead the Knights with 10 tack- les.
“It was a great sea - son,” said Head Coach Trey Carter.
“We faced adversity at different points in the sea - son, and these young men stepped up and tackled it head-on. We had injuries and were banged up at the end.
I’m sorry it’s over for these seniors I’ve coached since 6th grade. It has been a blast watch - ing them mature and grow into young men in a world that desperately needs leadership.
These guys are go - ing to make a difference someday. The other guys on the team have big shoes to fill," Carter said.
The Knights will look
to capitalize on back-toback second-round play- off berths in the TAPPS State competition.
Carter can’t reveal yet, but the Knights did very well with the All-District selections.
A second-place finish in district this season, the Knights' only loss came against Spring Found - ers, who were ultimately knocked out of the play offs in the first round.
Carter looks forward to Spring Ball beginning in May and continuing into the next season.
“We have to be better blockers at the point of at - tack, and we have to tack le in space.
Playing tough is the new norm around Faith Academy, and that’s something I take a lot of pride in. I want these young men to be the best they can be and be tough-minded while do- ing it.
This team improved every week, and that’s what a coach looks for. Again, I’m sorry that it’s over for this year, but I’m excited for the future of Faith Academy Knights Football.
Until next year…. GO KNIGHTS!”
