Faith Academy football ready for training camp
CAPTION: Faith Academy head coach Jay Silvers (left) is ready to lead his second Flames two-a-day training camp. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football program will be on the Britton Field from 8-11 a.m. beginning Monday, Aug. 4, for the start of two-a-day training camps.
The Flames will go through their normal drills and may end up in the weight room before they end the session.
In all 23 players are expected to be in the high school program
Head coach Jay Silvers, who is entering his second season at the helm, noted the Flames have spent weeks in summer strength and conditioning and should arrive in shape to face the next part of their preparations.
The Flames spent at least 30 minutes three days a week doing weight lifting, agility and speed training then finish with what they really enjoy – football.
And Silvers, who serves as the offensive coordinator and play caller, has put in the time to study the Flames personnel and what each one does well. As a result he has added to the playbook.
“There’s new stuff I want to implement,” he said.
That’s a direct result of having dynamic players who can slide into different positions on the field to force opponents to game plan for each of them.
Senior Drew Houy, who has been the starting quarterback for the last two years, shines with his accuracy and strong arm in finding the open Flames and stretching the defense.
Sophomore Landon Silvers, the coach’s son, can create something out of a broken play thanks to ability to shake off tacklers while running the football.
“Landon has a different gear,” his dad and coach said. “All the sudden he’s up to a different speed. I feel like he’s more elusive on the outside. Landon, being young and not trusting himself, but he’s gotten more and more comfortable. He’s picked up little things. It makes it nice having both. “
Senior Adam Merlick and junior Wade Dillard also have a knack for passing the ball.
Simply Merlick is a playmaker who can catch the ball and dodge defenders as he makes his way to the end zone, while Dillard’s experience in the position as well as his accuracy forces opponents to pay attention, Jay Silvers said.
“Wade played quarterback for us in junior high,” he said. “I know he can throw the ball. We have about five or six kids who can throw the ball well. You’re not sure who’s going to have the ball first. In my eyes, it creates more problems.”
Because the Flames play six-man football, every offensive player is an eligible receiver. And each one has to know how to block as well as catch the ball.
It also helps that Garrett Cole is returning for his second year at defensive coordinator. Silvers noted that Cole has done well in teaching terminology and coaching his players to be at their best.
