Fort Bend Christian Academy's star players
TITLE TOWN: FBCA football, Black continue school's firsts
The volleyball team won its first State Title in 2021 with the help of star Bailey Hanner. The girls track team then went on to win State in the spring led by suber-talent Bayleigh Minor.
So, who was next?
After not having enough players to make a full roster a few seasons back, coach Jordan Black entered the picture and the rest is history. Last season, the Eagles fell to division-rival Second Baptist School in TAPPS Semis. The program was gaining momentum.
Despite losing once again to Second Baptist in district play this fall, FBCA played their best football down the stretch. Their postseason was different this time around, knocking off Second Baptist in the Semifinal rematch (41-14).
Ultimately, the Eagles emerged from the postseason as State Champs, knocking off All Saints 42-30 in the TAPPS-D2 Title Game.
“My goal here [FBCA] was to change the culture,” said coach Jordan Black. “I wanted to see the young men that go to this school, whether they play football or not, have more of a competitive spirit. I wanted to see them be the best at whatever they competed in. That’s the attitude that I wanted to see, and that’s the direction that our football program is going.”
Led by senior offensive playmakers QB Brady Dever and WR Bryan Domino, FBCA racked up points throughout their phenomenal year.
QB Brady DeverBradley Collier (VYPE)
“Since his [Dever’s] junior year, there’s been no reason not to trust him,” Black said. “He is one of the most prolific quarterbacks that Houston has ever seen. And Domino is so elusive. I mean, he could juke you out in a phone booth if he had to. Even though he was usually the focus of opposing defenses, we had so many other weapons to turn to.”
WR Bryan DominoBradley Collier (VYPE)
Said weapons included RB Ethan Williams, WR Noah Brooks and WR/Safety Braylon Gardoni, who had a particularly exceptional year stepping up on both sides of the ball.
“Obviously, he [Gardoni] is a phenomenal receiver,” said Black. “But, he just has such a high football IQ, He was a kid that we could put in defensively, and he could make plays. He has a tremendous understanding of the game and is a competitor. Any kid that has a big heart, I love putting them in situations like that because they thrive. He certainly did.”
WR/Safety Braylon GardoniBradley Collier (VYPE)
After winning the State Title, Black’s goal of “changing the culture” at FBCA seems to be coming to fruition. He has already noticed a difference in the atmosphere.
“What’s great about it as a coach, is this is the first time I’ve ended the season on my own terms,” Black said. “It is great to win a State Championship because we continue to be the State Champions throughout the year. Everybody around the school has a joke. We’ll greet each other as ‘State Champion athletic director, State Champion teacher, etc.’ It’s just been really fun.”
Their looks to be no slowing down for FBCA as sophomore QB/Flex Cobey Sellers will be taking the reins from Brady Dever as the next signal-caller.
QB/Flex Cobey SellersBradley Collier (VYPE)
Furthermore, coach Black and his team hope to continue to lead by example at FBCA as they prepare for next season.
“Now that we’ve done it [won a TAPPS-D2 Title], it’s only going to improve the culture,” said Black. “I think these kids know exactly what it takes now to win the State Championship. So, it’s only going to help us going forward.”
FB Christian's standout WR Bryan Domino
BRING IT ON: FBCA; Domino prepared for first TAPPS Final
The Eagles -- led by coach and former NFL lineman Jordan Black -- are eager to immortalize their year as they are set to compete in the TAPPS Division II State Championship for the first time in school history.
When he’s not dunking a basketball to the delight of his athletes, Black is directing one of the finest rosters FBCA has seen since its establishment in 1987 -- back when the school was known as Sugar Creek Baptist Church School.
Following a 3-4 start, FBCA flipped the script by ending the regular season with three consecutive victories to earn a playoff. Thanks to their explosive offense, the Eagles went on a postseason tear knocking off Hyde Park (69-0), Regents (27-24) and Second Baptist School (41-14) to punch their ticket to the TAPPS Final.
The success of this team can be attributed to the connection between standout WR Bryan Domino and QB Brady Dever. Originally, Domino went to Foster High School before transferring to FBCA before his junior year.
“We [Dever and I] have been close since the sixth grade,” said Domino. “We’ve just always had that bond. In my junior year when I came over here, we just put in the time and work throughout the whole year and summer. That’s when it [the QB-WR connection] really hit us.”
FBCA QB Brady DeverBradley Collier (VYPE)
Dever has enjoyed an exceptional senior season with 24 touchdown passes -- 11 of which have gone to the speedy wide-out Domino. Domino has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season, which has led to him getting numerous offers to play in college.
“Ever since I came here [FBCA], I feel like my football IQ and catching ability has improved,” Domino said. “I’ve known that we had the ability to win. We didn’t make it that far last year, but this year we’ve just grown as players. This team has a whole new energy to it.”
It all comes down to Friday's game at noon at Waco ISD Stadium as the Eagles face All Saints.
“We just need to play the same as we did against Second Baptist,” said Domino. “We’ve got to pay attention to details and just execute. If we win, it will change the whole environment here. We’ve always had doubters and it will alter the mentality of the program. We won’t need that chip on our shoulders anymore. Just bring it on.”
The faces of FBC Eagle FootballBradley Collier (VYPE)