BRYAN — The Faith Academy Knights travelled to Allen Academy, in Bryan, to play against the Texas Wind in the invitational Texas Showdown.
The Knights were underdogs going into the contest by 14 points.
The Knights got off to a quick start and never looked back. After a 4th and goal stance by the de- fense to start the game, first play from scrimmage was 50 yard pass from sophomore Christian Pillow to junior Travis Woodley. Two plays later, Pillow found fellow sophomore Jackson Dunn for a 30 yard pass and catch, for the Knights first Td of the year. Pillow finished the game with 296 yards through the air, with four Td passes. His other TDs went to Woodley, and senior Noah Figueroa, who had two catches for TDs late in the 4th quarter, to seal the eventual victory.
Pillow also ran the ball for over 100 yards. Woodley, also had a stellar game to lead the young Knights in many categories, including rushing with 108 yards on the ground and 4 more TDs to add his total to five on the night.
Defensively, he was all over the place with 14 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, and two INTs for over 50 yards in returns. Helping him on defense was a collective group of sophomores, Tayte Plumb and Gage Wilson.
Junior Dylan Callihan also made some extremely important tackles, as well as blocks on O-line on Offense as well. Seniors Luke Wicklein and Figueroa, rounded out the defense and came up big.
After losing both Callihan and Wicklein to injuries (who both happened to be the Knight’s kickers for X-points and Kickoffs), Jackson Dunn stepped up and basically never left the field.
Dunn had some huge receptions, as well as an INT late in the first half that slowed down the Wind momentum. After what felt like the longest game in Faith Academy history (about three minutes shy of four hours), the Knights came away victorious, 61-45.
Other players that really stepped up for the Knights when they needed it were freshmen Riley Heyman, Kayden Marcotte, Wyatt Davis, Kelton Galle, Michael Wilson and Dyllan Olivares.
Also helping the Knight’s was sophomore Josh Stark. He played receiver as well as Defensive end (contain).
On the defensive line, a few guys were getting tired and needed a quick breather; senior Car- ter Findeisen got in the backfield numerous times, recording a sack and three QB-Hurries, as a pass rusher. Fumbles were forced by Plumb and Galle on the evening that were both momentum grabbers for Faith Academy.
“We had a lot of guys step up tonight that got us this victory. Losing a couple of guys to injuries really hurt us at big moments in the game. But this group and freshmen and sophomores stepped up at the right time and earned their right to compete and be there.”
“Jackson Dunn was huge for us tonight. We knew he had that fight in him. We just had to get it out of him. We have a few things to work the kinks out at practice, but hopefully we get a few back healthy this week, and we will be ready to roll for our first home game, next Friday.”
The Knights will have their first home game this week at Sab Stadium, welcoming Hill Country Christian (San Marcos), Friday night at 7 p.m.
Player of the week, Jackson Dunn, sophmore, stepped up huge for his team when they needed him. He had 122 yards receiving on six receptions, as well as a TD. Defensively, he had seven tackles and a game-changing INT.
