Grapevine Faith won the TAPPS Division II state championship last Friday in Waco, defeating Regents School of Austin 30-29 in double overtime. The Lions, who finished the season with a 12-2 record under Coach Kris Hogan, had a thrilling journey to the title. After sharing the district championship and finishing the regular-season ranked second in the state, Faith won four playoff games to claim the championship. 

The final three victories came in dramatic fashion. In the state quarterfinals, the Lions defeated top-ranked and unbeaten Dallas Christian 41-35 in double overtime, intercepting a pass in the end zone on the game’s final play. In the semifinals, they defeated seven-time state champion Midland Christian 26-23, kicking the winning field goal in the final two minutes and intercepting a pass in the final minute to preserve the victory. Then in the championship game, Faith again won in double overtime, stopping a two-point conversion attempt by Regents for the win.

The program’s first state title comes in the 18th season of Faith football. Over the past 12 years, the Lions have averaged nine victories per season and reached the state semifinals six times. MaxPreps’ computer rankings place Faith 76th in the state among the more than 1,200 high school teams.

This year’s team featured the school’s all-time leading rusher in senior Keyshawn Wyatt and the all-time leading receiver in senior Jake Mitchell. At least three players are expected to sign with NCAA FCS programs on National Signing Day. Offensive lineman Luke McCleery has committed to play at Tulane University, and offensive lineman Cooper McCaw has committed to Liberty University. Defensive end R.J. Reynolds has received offers from Army, Navy, Air Force and North Texas, among others. Wyatt and kicker Cole Lewis also are being recruited.

Grapevine Faith Christian School is honored to announce two National Merit Semifinalists and four National Merit Letters of Commendation recipients.

In September, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of these scholastic champions. Recognized for their academic excellence, these students were selected from about 1.4 million candidates in more than 22,000 high schools, ranking them in the top 1% of all high school students nationwide. Our semifinalists join a group of approximately 16,000 striving to reach the Finalist level.

This is the 60th year of the National Merit Scholarship Program, which funds some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth approximately 33 million dollars. “These students represent a valuable national resource,” stated the NMSP spokesperson, “recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation.”

Please join us in celebrating these outstanding students.
Luke Ganucheau, National Merit Semifinalist
Laura Howard, National Merit Semifinalist
Sarah Jessie, National Merit Letter of Commendation
Emily Macdonald, National Merit Letter of Commendation
John Onderdonk, National Merit Letter of Commendation
Hope Willcutts, National Merit Letter of Commendation

Pictured (l-r): Laura Howard, John Onderdonk, Hope Willcutts,
Luke Ganucheau, Sarah Jessie, Emily Macdonald