RUNGE — The Faith Academy Knights travelled to Runge ISD for the first round of playoffs to face Be navides. The Knights jumped out to an ear ly lead and never looked back.
Senior Noah Figueroa, along with some others, played his best game of the season. He threw for three TDs and ran for another in the 74-28 victory. He totaled just over 200 yards to go with those three TDs.
Senior Luke Wicklein also played one of his best games, with five total TDs, three rushing (42, 37, and 41) one receiving (38 from Figueroa), and a kickoff return that put the dag - ger in Benavides. Wicklein amassed just under 250 total yards. He also added an INT on defense.
One of Figueroa’s TDs went to sophomore Jackson Dunn for 46 yards. Dunn played a huge role on both sides of the ball as a receiver and a cornerback. He also added an INT with a return for 24 yards.
Sophomore Christian Pillow also had a great game on both sides of the ball running for just under a 100 yards and a TD. Defensively, he had a 60 yard INT for a TD to cap off the third quarter.
The offensive line, ran by Coach Jon Waldrop, blocked the best game in recent history. Freshmen Kayden Marcotte and Wyatt Davis and sophomore Joshua Stark were huge in the blocking scheme, as well as, Figueroa, and fullback junior Travis Woodley. Woodley also led the Knights in tackles on defense with 18.
Freshman Kelton Galle had an outstanding defensive game, putting pressure on the QB as a pass rusher, and also tackling the big ball carriers for Benavides. The play of the "Knight" came from Stark. After a fumble recovery on a kickoff by Woodley, Figueroa hit Stark on a 35 yard Corner-Route for the final score of the contest.
Excellent defense from the Knights showed as they stopped the tough run game.
Sophomore Tayte Plumb and senior Carter Findeisen had great games on defense. Findeisen is also the long snapper for Extra Points, which are kicked by Wicklein, who went 7-9 on PAT attempts.
Freshman Riley Heyman had the kickoff duties and did a phenomenal job. He used his creativity on a few to allow the Knights huge hits and fumble recoveries.
Freshman Michael Wilson also added a tackle on the kickoff team.
"I'm very proud of how these boys had themselves ready to play. They showed up with some fire and never let up against a tough team. I'm so proud of them and I hope they keep that drive throughout the playoffs."
The Knights will travel to Smith- ville Friday night, to take on Bastrop Tribe, at 7:30, for the second round of the playoffs.
