DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

When the brackets were released for the Class 4A, Division II, state playoffs, many eyes were focused on the possibility of a potential regional semifinal showdown in the third round featuring the Van Vandals and the Gilmer Buckeyes.

That possibility is now reality as the two top-10 state ranked teams will meet head-on in a 2 p.m. kickoff Friday, Nov. 26 at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Stadium in Tyler.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals, undefeated at 12-0 for the season, the champions of District 7-4A, Division II, are coming off a hard-fought 35-25 Area round victory over the Sunnyvale Raiders in Rockwall Nov. 19.

Gilmer, 11-1 for the season and the champions of District 8-4A, Division II, dominated the Caddo Mills Foxes, 68-31, Nov. 19.

The only loss for the Buckeyes was early in the season to the defending state champion Carthage Bulldogs.

Over the past 21 seasons, Gilmer has won three state titles, according to Moffatt. “Their program has been so successful over the years, and they have one of the best programs in the state in our classification,” emphasized Moffatt. “They have great players and great coaching.”

In Moffatt’s 12 seasons as head coach of the Vandals, Van has faced Gilmer four times during that span of time.

“We have had some great games with them over the years, but we have not yet defeated them,” said Moffatt. “This year’s Gilmer team is extremely talented. They have done a great job offensively. Their quarterback is a three-year starter, and he can beat you with his arm and his feet. He is a tremendous athlete. They have two really good running backs. Their group of receivers are talented, and their best receiver is a junior. Defensively, they have played well. Only three teams have scored over 14 points against them. They are really a good football team and they have everything you want in a good football team. Gilmer is always good on special teams. This team checks all of the boxes which you expect to see in a football team playing in Round 3 of the state playoffs. Coach Florence at Denton Ryan used to say that there are no turkeys playing after Thanksgiving Day and Gilmer is no turkey. We have a lot of respect for Gilmer and their program."

According to the Vandal head coach, Gilmer will show a ‘spread, shotgun’ attack offensively. “They will show you a lot of motion and lot of formations,” pointed out Moffatt. “They can beat you running or throwing the football. They are difficult to defend. Defensively, they have typically been a 3-2, odd front team but they are now mixing up their fronts and they are showing multiple looks in their secondary. They are very talented defensively.”

Moffatt broke down the keys for a Vandal victory against Gilmer. “We need to score one more point than they do,” said Moffatt. “That is how the game projects. Offensively, we must sustain drives, convert on third down and put the ball in the end zone. Defensively, we must tackle well. If you miss a tackle, it could turn into a touchdown real quick. We must play well in the secondary and we must have a solid pass rush to go along with that. Our kids are excited to be playing at Thanksgiving. We have a great opportunity. There are now 16 teams still alive in the state playoffs and we are one of those teams. Two East Texas teams playing in Tyler Friday afternoon in front of a huge crowd should provide a great atmosphere for a high school playoff game. These are the games you play for. They will be remembering this experience 20 years from now.”

The winner of the Van/Gilmer contest will take on the winner of the Quinlan Ford/Texarkana Pleasant Grove matchup for the Class 4A, Division II, Regional Championship next week at a site and date yet to be determined at press time.

For results of the Van/Gilmer regional semifinal contest, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.