Vandal Defense Shuts Down Crandal In 45-7 Win

After losing their first game of the season last week, there were questions as to how the Van Vandals would respond against the Crandall Pirates Friday night.

Van answered all questions in a positive manner as the Vandals arguably played their best game of the season so far in a 45-7 dominating win at Crandall.

Coach Brady Pennington’s Vandals, now 3-1 overall, will close out their non-district schedule as they host the Kemp Yellowjackets for homecoming Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Vandals were impressive offensively, defensively and in the kicking game against the Pirates.

Van’s offense registered 366 yards of total offense including 271 rushing.

Defensively, the Vandals intercepted three Pirate passes including one returned for a TD.

Blake Pennington made all six of his extra points and kicked a 40-yard FG.

The offensive star for the Vandals was senior Jermie Calhoun, who made his first start at QB against Crandall in addition to carrying the ball for a few plays at RB.

Calhoun finished the contest with 304 total yards from scrimmage and four TD’s before being taken out of the game midway through the third quarter.

The Vandal senior collected 209 yards rushing on 20 carries and three TD’s and completed nine out of 16 passes for 95 yards and one TD.

The Pirates received the opening kickoff and committed a turnover on their first series.

Crandall QB Taylor Jones’ pass was intercepted by Van’s Allan Dike at the Pirate 45 to give Van good field position.

Five plays later, mainly on the strength of running gains of 13 and 17 yards by Calhoun, the Vandals had a first-and-goal at the Pirate 9.

A sack of Calhoun for a 10-yard loss and an illegal procedure penalty forced the Vandals to set up with a fourth down and goal at the Crandall 25.

Calhoun connected with WR Blake Pennington on a 23-yard pass completion but the scoring threat ended at the Pirate 2 giving Crandall possession.

Following a Pirate punt, the Vandals again started in Crandall territory and took advantage of the good field position.

Five running plays later, Calhoun ran six yards for a TD. Blake Pennington added the extra point giving the Vandals a 7-0 lead with 1:26 remaining in the first quarter. Running gains of 15 and 19 yards by Calhoun were key plays in the first Vandal scoring march.

Van’s defense lit up the scoreboard on the next series as a pass from Pirate QB Tucker Mallon was intercepted by Vandal DB Colt Oliver and returned 23 yards for a TD. Blake Pennington added the extra point giving the Vandals a sudden 14-0 advantage with 32 seconds to play in the first quarter.

Following a Crandall punt that pinned the Vandals deep in their own end of the field at the 4, Calhoun, on second down, appeared to be on his way toward a possible 96-yard TD dash but a shoestring tackle by a Crandall defender brought Calhoun down after a 32-yard gain. The Vandals were later forced to punt.

Following a poor seven-yard punt by the Pirates, the Vandals needed five straight running plays to move 23 yards and expand their lead.

Vandal FB Emanuel Hayes ended the short drive with a 12-yard TD run. Blake Pennington added the extra point to give Van a 21-0 lead with 5:33 remaining in the second quarter.

An exchange of punts followed to end the first half of play.

The Vandals received the second half kickoff and put the game out of reach with a 66-yard scoring drive in seven plays.

Calhoun ended the drive with a 35-yard TD run. Blake Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a comfortable 28-0 lead with 9:23 remaining in the third quarter. A 21-yard pass completion from Calhoun to WR James Whatley set up the TD.

After another Pirate punt, the Vandals added to their lead by moving 77 yards in four plays.

Calhoun, on his final rushing carry of the evening, ended the march with a 47-yard TD run. Blake Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a commanding 35-0 advantage with 5:22 remaining in the third quarter. A 27-yard pass completion from Calhoun to WR Matthew Goode led to the TD run.

Crandall turned the ball over on its next series as Mallon’s second down and 10 pass was intercepted by Vandal DB Justin Dalme and returned to the Pirate 20.

Three plays later, Calhoun, on his final play of the contest, connected with WR Dike on a 20-yard TD pass play. Blake Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a 42-0 lead with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter.

Following a Crandall punt and a personal foul penalty against the Pirates, the Vandals again had excellent field position at the Crandall 39.

With reserves in the game for the Vandals, the drive stalled four plays later as QB Oliver fumbled and lost two yards on fourth down and one.

Special teams got into the act for the Vandals as Sam Wineland blocked a Crandall punt as the ball went out of bounds at the Pirate 20.

Facing fourth down and 13 at the Pirate 23, Blake Pennington was sent in to attempt a 40-yard FG and the kick was good extending the Vandal advantage to 45-0 with 9:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Pirates responded with their most impressive drive offensively as they moved 86 yards in 12 plays to avoid the shutout.

Mallon ended the drive with an 8-yard TD run. Tanner Dykema added the extra point to cut the Vandal lead to 45-7 with 4:45 remaining.

Van’s final offensive drive began at its own 24 and moved to the Pirate 48 on seven consecutive running plays, including a 21-yard gain by Oliver but the drive stalled forcing a punt.