On Friday, August 31, the FWCD football team traveled to Dallas, where they beat St. Mark’s School of Texas on a last-second play. With 34 seconds left on the clock, Luke Mitchell ’25 blocked a St. Mark’s extra point so the Falcons could win 35-34.
Mitchell was the star player of the day, recording 8 tackles as well as 126 all-purpose yards. Quarterback Connor Davidson ’25 also played exceptionally, throwing for 218 yards and picking up 115 on the ground. Both were members of the star senior group that carried the rest of the team to victory. Apart from the seniors, junior Canaan Factor and sophomore Owen Bloemendal both had two receiving touchdowns.
“I first met these guys in the backyard of Coach Howard’s house,” Head Coach Keith Burns said. “You never see ‘em not together, and that’s a heck of a thing for anybody as a friend, and particularly as a teammate. I think this senior group is very special, and they’ve got a chance to have one heck of a season.”
The senior class was given an opportunity to prove themselves to Burns early with the game against St. Mark’s. A school seen as one of the best in the SPC conference, and regarded as very big, both on a physical level and on the number of players. One of the St. Mark’s defensive tackles, Henry Estes, is even being scouted as a college prospect.
Offensive Coordinator TJ Millweard insisted FWCD could shut down Estes.
“He’s a big guy, but after a few plays he has to tap out,” Millweard said. He just doesn’t have the stamina.”
At halftime, it definitely looked that way. FWCD was leading 22-6. The offensive line, led by senior Chappell Carter, had held St. Mark’s to only one sack. The team did experience a brief scare when Davidson went down in the second quarter. Luckily though, after backup QB Cooper Paul ’27 came in and threw a touchdown on the very next play, Davidson was able to recover and get back in on the next drive.
After the half, though, St. Mark’s took command. They scored four touchdowns, enough to tie the game. Mitchell’s blocked extra point saved the game from going into overtime.
After the block, the stands erupted. Seconds later, Davidson caught the onside kick and was able to knee it out to give FWCD their first win.
“Well, that’s the best damn football game I ever saw,” Coach Burns said afterward, hugging Coach Howard.
FWCD’s next game is scheduled for 9-6-24, where they will face off against the out-of-conference McKinney Christian Mustangs.
