GAMES
RANKINGS
ONE GAME AT A TIME: Brutal schedule not phasing the Travis Tigers so far
The Tigers knocked off Mayde Creek last week, 16-15, before taking down VYPE’s No. 12 Katy Jordan, 27-16, on Thursday night.
“Jordan is a great team and really huge,” Sissom laughed. “We just didn’t want to turn the ball over and leaned on our defense. We had a blocked FG and an interception for a touchdown by Davis Kinney (Northwestern-commit) to seal the game.”
Grant Merritt leads the defense up front, while Malcolm Graham handles the middle of the field at linebacker. Kinney and Oklahoma State commit Josiah Vilmael patrol the secondary.
“Grant is so dependable, and Malcolm doesn’t realize he’s a 6-foot-3, 235-pound full-grown adult out there playing with high schoolers,” Sissom laughed. “Our secondary is special.”
On offense, wide receivers David Brewer and Ethan Williams are the leaders on that side of the ball, while Adeleke Ajayi moves the chains at running back.
“We lost one of our guys at quarterback with a broken collarbone against Mayde Creek, so we are really coaching up the guys we’ve got and they are doing great. Ajayi has patiently waited his turn and is now the guy. He’s making the most of his time.”
Next up are the defending Class 5A state champion Randle Lions.
“It doesn’t get easier, but a lot of our guys have started since they were sophomores and nothing really phases them. They are just taking it a game at a time.”
Fort Bend Christian Academy's star players
TITLE TOWN: FBCA football, Black continue school's firsts
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.”