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JUST GETTING STARTED: FBCA'S Warren, Granville Preparing To Run It Back
A YEAR REMOVED FROM BEING KNOCKED OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS BY THEIR DISTRICT RIVALS SECOND BAPTIST SCHOOL, THE FORT BEND CHRISTIAN EAGLES RETURNED WITH A VENGEANCE IN 2022.
Despite starting the season with a 3-4 record, Fort Bend would subsequently win the next six games, including a 41-14 rebuttal to SBS in the Semifinals, en route to the school’s first TAPPS State Championship in their 42-30 victory against All Saints.
“That experience is something you always wish for, when you’re on a team like this,” said junior OL Bennett Warren. “Everybody wants to win a State Championship at the beginning of the season. The road we took to get there, the few losses we experienced, really helped us learn how to utilize our strengths to go the distance.”
Speaking of strengths, including the highly-sought after Warren, FBCA’s roster featured some of the best in Texas.
With weapons ranging from Houston-signee Bryan Domino at receiver, QB Brady Dever (Brown signee), running back Ethan Williams, wide receiver Noah Brooks, safety Braylon Gardoni and edge Max Granville, it would seem that the Eagles were almost destined to win it all.
“There’s no feeling like it,” Granville said. “I just think when playoff time came around, we really decided to lock in with each phase of the game. Seeing all your hard work pay off, that’s what the game is all about. It was a really cool experience to be a part of.”
Given the considerable number of seniors graduating at the conclusion of this semester, it would seem that this is now Warren and Granville’s team to lead heading into next Fall.
“Our team will look somewhat different next year,” Warren said. “But, that’s not going to change the environment we have and the type of people we are on the field. With the returning players including Max and I, paired with some transfers coming in, we’ll have time to grow. Although it’ll be a different-looking team, our championship mentality won’t be phased.”
Granville, who was a game-wrecker on the Eagles’ front-seven, shares the same sentiment.
“I’m looking forward to dominating again,” he said. “Individually, I had a good season, but they haven’t seen anything yet since I’ve got a whole offseason to improve and gain weight. And that’s just me, not even our whole defense. I want to bring some leadership and physicality to the defense and it’s going to be a scary team next year.”
FBCA is just getting started as the Eagles continue to establish themselves as a TAPPS super-power. Coach Jordan Black’s group will be one worth fearing come next Fall.
DESTINY AWAITS: FBCA’s Warren becoming hot commodity
In the few short months that have followed their recent TAPPS State Championship victory, athletes from Fort Bend Christian Academy have been racking up offers to continue their playing careers at the collegiate level.
Junior offensive lineman Bennett Warren has piqued the interest of dozens of top-tier universities.
With offers from several of college football’s biggest names, including Texas A&M, Kansas, and Oklahoma, it’s clear that the tremendous potential of the young offensive lineman is being recognized.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It’s a really amazing experience to see people around the nation respect the work that you put in,” said Warren. “It means a lot to hear that somebody likes what they see in my game film, and see how I’ve improved over the years.”
Considering Warren has the luxury of choosing which prominent school he’d like to attend, it would appear that the world is his oyster. However, the opportunity wasn’t just handed to him. It was earned.
“I can’t take all the credit,” Warren said. “I feel that as a team and a family, we’ve all come really far and we began to realize that it’s not about playing for the scouts or the views. It’s about playing as a family to reach a goal we collectively hope to achieve. There’s no sense of jealousy or hatred within us.”
Thus far, FBCA has proven to be incredibly beneficial for Warren and his teammates. Of course, winning a State Title will garner the attention of college scouts seeking potential recruits, but the three years played at FBCA means so much more to No. 76 .
The 2022-23 TAPPS 5A-D2 State Champions, Fort Bend Christian Academy FootballJustin Hartojo (VYPE)
“I feel that playing at FBCA has helped me grow as a person in general,” said Warren. “Initially, I thought our team may be small in comparison to some 6A schools. But, the love is real and there are no gaps in how we treat each other. Me and my friends, Max Granville, Ivan Jimmy-Ducksworth and Cobey Sellers, have all been set on the same goal and have always been there for each other.”
Furthermore, his teammates aren’t the only ones who have made an impact on his life.
“I feel that my biggest inspiration would be our coach,” Warren said. “Coach [Jordan] Black leads us as men, and teaches us things to help us grow in life.”
Warren will have one more year to play for the Eagles before he advances to the collegiate level. With the momentum generated from their Championship season, who’s to say FBCA won’t repeat next fall?
“Winning a State Title was an incredibly unreal experience,” said Warren. “I’m happy we got it done, but we’re hoping to run it back once more.”