Makai Burris ran for 187 yards and two scores as undefeated Faith Christian won 34-21 at Master’s Academy in a Sunshine State Athletic Conference first round playoff game.
Faith (9-0), enjoying its best season in its fifth year of football, held off a rally by the Eagles (5-4) to advance to a quarterfinal home game next week against Orangewood Christian (6-2).
Leading 7-0 at halftime, Faith scored 21 unanswered third period points as sophomore quarterback Ty Poorman scored on a 15-yard keeper, Burris added a 5-yard TD, and sophomore wideout Andre Cooper caught a 32-yard pass from Poorman.
It was Master’s turn in the final frame, as sophomore quarterback Brandon Fitez tossed scoring passes of 25 and 20 yards to sophomore Tyson Mobley to make it 28-14 with four minutes remaining. Eagles defender Zack Rodriguez recovered the ensuing Master’s onside kick and Fitez promptly found eighth-grader Terrance Gibbs on a 42-yard catch-and-run to pull the Eagles (5-4) to within 28-21 with 3:30 remaining.
Faith pounced on the ensuing onside kick and Burris broke open a 54-yard run to make it 34-21 with 2:17 remaining. Faith recovered its own onside kick at midfield and backup quarterback Nathan Henderson’s clock-killing 33-yard keeper iced the game for the Lions.
Zak Thomas rushed for 66 yards for FCA.
Gibbs had a team-high 54 yards rushing and three catches for 57 yards for Master’s.
Fitz was 9 of 14 passing for 139 yards and three scores.
