SMITHVILLE — The Faith Academy Knights football team travelled to Smithville on Nov. 10, to take on the Bastrop Tribe Warriors in the second-round of the TAIAO playoffs. It was one of the most back and forth, hardfought games in recent years.
Ultimately, the Knights took the hard loss, 70-67.
Sophomore Jackson Dunn stepped up to play his best game as a Knight, calculating over 150 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Three of those touchdowns came running the ball behind the offensive line of Kayden Marcotte, Noah Figueroa, Wyatt Davis and Travis Woodley. His best run was with the Knights backed up on their 1 yard line after a botched kickoff return.
Dunn travelled 79 yards outrunning the entire Tribe defense for the score. His other touchdown was a 58 yard kickoff return.
He stepped up when senior All-State running back Luke Wicklein went out with a knee injury on the third play. Dunn also had to kick the extra points (that are worth two points in six-man football).
Noah Figueroa also had a good game scoring the first touchdown of the contest, a four yard run and throwing three touchdowns in the game. Sophomore Tayte Plumb also played his best game as a Knight stepping up on both offense and defense. He scored on a pass from Figueroa from 14 yards out. Defensively he was responsible for eight tackles and a forced fumble that gave the Knights a chance to win the game with two minutes to go.
Junior stand-out Travis Woodley leads the Knights once again on offense and defense. Offensively Woodley accumulated almost 200 total yards and three touchdowns; a run of 44 yards and passes of 56 and 24. Defensively, Woodley fought off double- team blocks all night to get 16 tackles. Freshman Dyllan Olivares lead the Knights at quarterback in the tight offense.
Coming out of the half, Knights ahead by 8, Olivares hooked up with Figueroa on a perfect pass over the defense of the Warriors for a 38 yard touchdown. The last reception touchdown went to sophomore Joshua Stark from Travis Woodley on a bad snap and a great scramble.
Great season to the Knights! Thank you to all the coaches, Kenneth Woodley, Jon Waldrop, Ricky Jester and Denzel Brown.
“I’m very proud of my coaches and these players this season. This team has the most heart of any team I’ve coached. I’m going to miss the seniors. But as bad as we feel right now, we will use this going into spring ball and into next season. I always hate when football is over for the year but now I can enjoy extra time with my beautiful wife and kids. Thank you to the community of Bellville for your continued support for Faith Academy Knight football team.” GO KNIGHTS!!!
