DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

After a few days off to rest and relax during their open date last week, it is back to work for the Van Vandals as they begin their most important stretch of games this season.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals, 6-0 for the season and ranked seventh in the state in Class 4A, Division II, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine, start their quest for the District 7-4A, Division II, championship Friday, Oct. 15, when they travel to Mexia to take on the Mexia Black Cats (1-6, 0-1) in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

“I was real pleased with what we got accomplished during our open date last week,” summarized Moffatt. “We just needed to get the kids off their feet and get as healthy as we can be. We played six straight football games without a break until last week. We were able to give our players the weekend off. I believe now that we are focused on Mexia and our remaining district schedule. The open date gave us extra preparation time to get ready for Mexia. We got a head start on that. The greatest benefit to having an open date is to give all of us, players and coaches, an opportunity to get away from it for a period of time. We are back to work now and getting prepared for our next challenge.”

Mexia, the defending district champion, opened district play with a shutout defeat Oct. 8 at the hands of the Brownsboro Bears, 27-0, in Brownsboro.

“I was somewhat surprised by the final score of the Mexia/Brownsboro game,” said Moffatt. “That had a lot to do with what Brownsboro did and they played well. Mexia is not a team without talent, but they have struggled to win football games. This is a 1-6 team with talent, and you never know when they will put it together. When we played Center at homecoming, they were 0-4 at the time but they had a sophomore quarterback who played his best game of the season. They had a receiver and a running back who were really good, and they showed that against us. Mexia can be a good football team because they do have guys that can play.”

The Vandals will be seeking revenge for their stunning district-opening loss at home last season as they dropped a 40-28 decision to the Black Cats.

“Mexia probably played their best game of the season when they played here last year,” recalled Moffatt. “We did not do some things well. Their running back broke a couple of long runs last year. We lost a game we should have won last year.”

The Black Cats, who are currently led by an interim head coach who was promoted from within their coaching staff, have changed their offensive philosophy totally from what they were last season, according to the Vandal head coach.

“Mexia is totally a ‘spread’ team now,” said Moffatt. “They have had growing pains along the way. They will throw the ball. We must tackle well.”

Defensively, Mexia has been showing an “odd front.” “They are not real multiple,” pointed out Moffatt. “They are consistently showing the same look. Mexia has guys that can make plays.”

Losing to Mexia at home in the district opener last season does enter the picture in preparing for the rematch in Mexia Oct. 15, according to Moffatt.

“This is a new year, and the teams are different but for those guys that played in that game for us last season and are back this season, they know that last year’s result left a bad taste in their mouths,” emphasized Moffatt. “Those on our team this year that played last year do not want to lose two years in a row to the same teams. We defeated Malakoff, Lindale, and Center this year after losing to them last season. Mexia was the last team to beat us in the regular season last year. I thought our performance against Mexia last year was our worst and most disappointing loss of the season. To say that the result of last year’s game has no bearing on the preparation for this year’s meeting would not be totally accurate for the players who played in that game and are back this season.”

In addition to the Mexia loss to Brownsboro, the Canton Eagles (5-2, 1-0) dominated the winless Bullard Panthers (0-7, 0-1), 52-21, in Canton Oct. 8.

The other game in District 7-4A, Division II, Oct. 15 will feature Brownsboro visiting Bullard. Canton will have an open date.

For results of the Van’s district opener at Mexia Oct. 15 and a preview of the Vandals’ home game against Bullard Oct. 22, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.