Flames lose 38-12 to Sacred Heart

November 24, 2012, 10:00 am by mark goodson

Staff Photo By Mark Goodson Faith Academy's Jacob Metcalf (88) gets his facemask pulled while Hallettsville Sacred Heart's running back bolts up the middle of the Flames defense. Metcalf, a freshman defensive back, led Faith Academy with nine interceptions on the season.

By Jim Goodson

HLN Correspondent

         AUSTIN – Faith Academy’s incredible football season ended on a cool fall Austin evening at historic House Park Friday night.
               The Flames lost 38-12 to Hallettsville Sacred Heart, their first loss of the year occurring two games deep in the four round TAPPS Division III playoffs.
               Faith Academy’s first 11-man football season produced an 11-1 record led by a senior class of eight and a roster of 27 players. Hallettsville Sacred Heart, the defending state champions, improved to 9-3 and advanced to the semifinals.
               Faith Academy trailed 24-12 at halftime and had success moving the ball in the first half. But turnovers kept the Flames from mounting a comeback. Faith Academy fumbles on a third quarter kickoff and on the first play of the fourth quarter allowed the Hallettsville team to control the second half .
               Faith Academy scored on a spectacular second-quarter catch by running back Brian Freeman in the back of the end zone. The nine-yard toss by scrambling Seth McAnally capped a determined 51-yard, 14-play drive and cut Sacred Heart’s lead to 16-6.
               Flame defensive back Jacob Metcalf recovered a fumble on the Indians’ next series, setting up another Faith Academy touchdown pass. Running back Jake Diamond threw it 54 yards to sophomore receiver Royale Brown. The long touchdown cut the deficit to 16-12 with 4:55 left before halftime. It was as close as the Flames would get.
               The Flames amassed 234 offensive yards while Sacred Heart racked up 348 yards. Faith Academy recorded 14 first downs to Sacred Heart’s 19.
               There were only three penalties in the crisp, well-played game that took less than two hours to play, minus the 20-minute halftime.

For more, see Tuesday's Highlander.