Foundation football ends season in regional playoffs

The Foundation Academy Lions saw their appearance in the FHSAA Class 2A State Playoffs come to an abrupt close Nov. 14.

The Lions could not keep pace with the host Warner Christian Eagles in the regional semifinals, falling 41-13 and ending the season with a 5-6 record.

Foundation kept it close early, with the game tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lions would trail 20-7 at halftime, and things eventually got away from them entirely in the third quarter.

“Too many big plays from Warner in the third quarter, and too many mistakes by us,” Foundation coach Brad Lord said.

Gabriel Walker rushed for the Lions’ first touchdown, a 7-yard run, and Darius Irvin scored for Foundation in the second half on a touchdown pass from Jacob Murphy. 

D’Angelo Byer, B.J. Bohler and Evan Thompson all played well for the Lions on defense in the defeat, according to Lord.

The defeat wrapped a season of ups and downs for the program.

Foundation began the season with a three-game losing streak, falling to Lakeland Christian, 41-0; The First Academy, 45-8; and Carrollwood Day, 26-21. The Lions rebounded with a winning streak and defeated Taylor, 29-15, Orangewood Christian, 21-0, and Hawthorne, 50-12.

Foundation lost its district-opener to Victory Christian, 37-7, but rebounded with a win over Trinity Prep that was marred by a post-game scuffle between the two teams.

The Lions secured their playoff berth Oct. 31 with a 32-14 victory over district rival Agape Christian.

Foundation was led on offense in 2014 by Walker, a junior running back who rushed for 1,161 yards for the season and 13 touchdowns. Murphy, also a junior, passed 638 yards on the season and eight touchdowns. FIU commit Conrad Brown had four touchdown catches.

Darius Irvin, who is committed to the University of Charlotte, led the team on defense with 70 total tackles on the season (47 solo).

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].