Faith Academy, Fredericksburg Heritage to Battle for the Rock again

CAPTION: Faith Academy’s Zach Houy (1) and the Flames are making the short drive southwest to take on Fredericksburg Heritage. Photo by Stennis Shotts

The Faith Academy of Marble Falls football team is traveling to play Fredericksburg Heritage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.

The two programs have nicknamed this game the “Battle for the Rock.” The Flames (1-1) last beat Heritage 74-50 in 2021.

Heritage began playin six-man football in 2002 and have won seven Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools state titles — 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2019 — and finished as the state runner-up twice. The Eagles have made 16 consecutive playoff appearances all under the direction of head coach Tim Shipman, who has been at the helm since Heritage began playing football in 2002.

“We know they’re always a good team,” Faith head coach Jay Silvers said. “Coach Shipman only needs six players, and he’s going to have a good team over there. We’re coming prepared. I know my boys have had this game marked on their calendars because the last two years, they’ve beaten us and they really want to take it to them.”

This year’s Heritage squad is led by junior Reece Baker, the first team all-district utility back who is known as “an essential offensive asset.”

Sophomore Zeke Shipman, the head coach’s son, is the team’s quarterback and cornerback. He also won the 2026 state title in pole vault by clearing 11 feet and 6 inches. First team all-district tight end Toby Prescott is the team’s reliable downfield target, and Quarto Stewart has explosive speed and leaping ability that led to the 2026 state championship in the triple jump with a mark of 43-1.25. Both are juniors

Sophomore linemen Christian Evans and Wyatt Craven, who are all-district honorees, provide the offense plenty.

Faith will counter with its own speed and muscle from Egan Barnes, Zach Houy, Graham McGraw, Price Rosemond, Landon Silvers, Hudson Tatum and Nick Zarob.

One key element to this contest is time of possession, and the coach noted there’s no reason to believe that will be different in 2026.

“Every time we’ve played them, they’re fundamentally sound, and they don’t make mistakes,” he said. “So we just have to be on our game and create the turnovers and create the four and outs and just be able to move the ball and score. Because Shipman’s going to eat up the clock, we’ve always had to score quick and try to get the ball back from him so we can go do it again and again and again.”

Overall, Jay Silvers believes this contest will be another classic.

“I think the boys are excited,” he said. “I know it’s going to be good competition we’re playing there this year. They’re a good team. It’s going to be a fun game. I’m excited.”