Fort Bend Christian Academy Varsity Football team won the TAPPS 5A Division II state championship 42-30 against Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal School on December 2, 2022. This marks the first state championship win for football in school history.
This season, the Eagles were 8-4 and 4-1 in district play. They defeated Austin Hyde Park 69-0 in area finals, defeated Austin Regents 27-24 in the regional final, and made their path to the state championship by winning 41-14 versus Second Baptist in the state semi-final round.
Football Head Coach Jordan Black has been at FBCA for four seasons. Black played at the University of Notre Dame from 1998 to 2002, which culminated in a successful 10-year career in the National Football League (NFL) playing for the Chiefs, Texans, Jaguars and Redskins. During Jordan’s career in the NFL, he was elected as a Board of Player Representative in the National Football League Players Association.
Immediately following the win, Coach Black reflected on the season and how special it is to be the first football state championship team in Eagle history.
“This is a special win for us. The team didn’t really figure out who we were until later in the season, and then we really started clicking. We have taken our game to a whole new level. We have learned what it means to work. We do not take plays off, and we play hard and stick with it. That’s been the recipe for success,” Black said.
Coach Black never wanted the team to focus on the state championship game as the end goal. He wanted them to understand what it takes to get there.
“It’s about grit. That more than anything is what I want the player’s that I coach to understand, because that’s going to transcend the game of football. That’s going to make them a successful person later on in life. And if you have a team with a bunch of players who have grit – state championships will come,” Black said.
Senior Quarterback Brady Dever has wanted to take the team to a state championship since becoming an Eagle. With over a 100 touchdowns as an Eagle, Dever has been a great asset to the program and recently signed with Brown University to play football and baseball.
“Being a state champion is what we wanted. I came here as a sophomore, and this was always a goal for me. It just took a bit longer than expected,” Dever said. “We clicked at the right time to make this state championship run.”
FBCA Athletic Director and Offensive Coordinator, Aaron Carpenter, has been at FBCA for four seasons and is so excited for the team to achieve this goal.
“We are so proud of how hard the players have worked this year. The boys’ dedication and perseverance, combined with the support of the entire school community, turned out to be the perfect recipe for the success we were able to achieve this season,” Carpenter said.
“This State Championship is a special accomplishment and moment in the history of Fort Bend Christian Academy. I am elated for our student-athletes, coaching staff, their families, and the entire school community!,” FBCA Head of School, Joshua Gettys said. “Throughout the season, our players and coaches in the football program have represented FBCA with the highest degree of excellence in character, dedication, and hard work, and I am so proud for them to experience this highest recognition and shining moment.”
