PHOTOS/RECAP: Foundation Academy thrashes Orangewood Christian in 42-21 victory

The Foundation Academy Lions blew out the Orangewood Christian Rams 42-21 Friday, Oct. 19 — bouncing back from their tough loss to University Christian last week in a big way. 

“We started off a little slow, but I expected that,“ Lions Head Coach Brad Lord said. “We got banged up last week and we had three new offensive linemen in there and they did a great job — we got clicking.

“We got to get better for our playoff run, but we had a war last week,” he said. “You go through a game like that, they throw everything into it. It was a close game, even though the score said 55-35, (in) the last three minutes of the game it was a seven point game.”  

Henry Austad had a huge day for the Lions (7-2), completing 20 of his 27 passes for 325 yards and four touchdowns. Braden Holcomb caught six passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, while Danny Stutsman had five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. Matt Puchalski and Treven Postell also had one-receiving touchdown apiece. 

Bryan Thomas — who had two-rushing touchdowns — was unfortunately ejected from the game for getting into a fight. He will likely miss the regular season finale, and could possibly miss a couple of postseason games as well. 

Foundation Academy’s defense also had a big day — forcing two turnovers on downs and held the Rams (4-4) to just one touchdown in the second quarter before the game had a running clock early in the third quarter. 

Edward Byrd had five tackles (with two of them being for a loss), plus one sack. Stutsman led the team with eight tackles.

The Lions will celebrate senior night Friday, Oct. 25, when they host the West Oaks Academy Flame (2-6), before setting their sights on the playoffs.

“We’re looking to get healthy this week and get better,” Lord said. “We got a tough West Oaks team — they’re gonna come in and bring it next week. They got a lot of talented athletes. Hopefully we’ll finish the season strong.”