GALLERY: Foundation Academy gets first playoff win

Brad Lord’s voice wavered for a moment as he talked to his Foundation Academy Lions.

“Seven years ago I was told we could not compete in district play — we were too small of a school. That we didn’t have enough good football players here, and we had to play in the little Sunshine conference.”

Lord insisted on playing in district competition, and it paid off. In Friday’s 38-18 victory over Warner Christian, Foundation Academy got its first playoff victory in school history.

“We have a very good team,” Lord said. “I expected it.”

Foundation Academy’s offense rushed for a total of 545 yards. Konrie Brown rushed for 215 yards, Jaquan Patterson for 138 yards and Gabe Walker 135.

“I was hungry for success tonight,” said Patterson, who scored two touchdowns.

The team also had 50 passing yards on offense.

Warner opened the night with a touchdown but did not score again in the first half, as Foundation scored 31 points in the first half alone. In the second half, many players came off the bench to get playing time. Warner scored two more touchdowns, while Foundation scored one.

“We got sloppy in the second half,” Lord said. “I’m not putting that on players. I’m putting it on our coaching staff.”

Next week, Foundation faces Victory Christian, a team Foundation faced earlier this season. Foundation beat Victory 34-28 but went into overtime to do so.

“We’re going to have to get a lot more precise and have everything perfect for Victory Christian next week,” Lord said.