DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

With two district and regular season games remaining, the undefeated and state-ranked Van Vandals know that the most important part of the 2021 schedule is occurring over the next two contests.

The first of those two critical games will take place Friday, Oct. 29, when the Vandals travel to Canton to take on their Van Zandt County rival, the Canton Eagles, in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Following an impressive 56-7 home victory over the winless Bullard Panthers Oct. 22, Van is currently 8-0 overall and 2-0 in District 7-4A, Division II, as they are ranked seventh in the state in Class 4A, Division II, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.

The Eagles come into the VZC showdown at 5-3 for the season and 1-1 in district play after losing a stunning 48-44 decision to the surprising Brownsboro Bears (5-4, 3-0) Oct. 22 in Brownsboro.

After the Vandals tangle with the Eagles, Van will close out its district and regular season schedule against Brownsboro at Van’s Memorial Stadium Nov. 5 in a game that could ultimately decide the District 7-4A, Division II, championship. Brownsboro has an open date Oct. 22.

There is the possibility of a three-way tie for the district title if Canton beats Van and the Vandals defeat Brownsboro leaving all three teams with a district mark of 3-1 assuming that the Eagles defeat the one-win Mexia Black Cats Nov. 5 in Mexia.

“We now have two remaining games that we have to win,” emphasized Vandal Head Coach Jared Moffatt. “If we want to win the district championship outright and go into the playoffs as a number one seed, we must win these next two games. That changes your approach and mindset over the next couple of weeks.”

Moffatt said that he is impressed with what Canton is doing on both sides of the football this season.

“Canton had a battle at Brownsboro in a game that could have gone either way,” pointed out Moffatt. “Since our game with Bullard ended so early last Friday night, we were able to catch all of the fourth quarter of Canton’s game at Brownsboro. That game was back and forth. Canton could have easily won that game. I know that they are disappointed with the outcome of that game, but I know this, if Canton beats us Friday night, they still have a chance at the district championship. They will be fully motivated to come out and beat us Friday night.”

Offensively, the Eagles have multiple weapons with the ability to put up a lot of points on the scoreboard, according to Moffatt.

“Their quarterback was out for a couple of games earlier in the season, but he is back,” said Moffatt. “When they are healthy, they are really good. Their quarterback is a really good football player. He can run and throw equally well. Canton has a number of good receivers including Prox, Pickens, and Valenzuela, who is doing a great job for them as a freshman. Their running game is good as well. The Shaw kid has done a good job at running back. Offensively, they are dangerous. Defensively, they are in their second year in their current defense, and they are getting better and better. Canton tackles well and they are extremely well coached in all phases of the game.”

More than just VZC rights will be on the line when the Vandals kickoff against the Eagles Oct. 29 in Canton, according to Moffatt.

“This is a rivalry game, and it will be emotional,” pointed out the Vandal head coach. “This will be a great atmosphere for Friday night football. We will have to play extremely well to come out of there with a victory.”

The kicking game could also play a key factor in the outcome of the contest, according to Moffatt.

“Canton has a kid named Prox that is as good as I have seen at blocking PAT’s and field goals,” said the Vandal head coach. “He has tremendous quickness and good speed.”

On the injury front, the Vandals will enter the game against the Eagles as healthy as they have been at any point in the season, according to Moffatt.

“This will be like a playoff atmosphere when we play in Canton,” summarized Moffatt. “There are playoff implications on the line. The stands will be full on both sides. This is a great matchup. Our mindset right now is to beat Canton. Everything that we have set out to accomplish is still in front of us, not behind us. It is nice to be 8-0 overall but our goal is to be 3-0 in district play after Friday night. If we finish 8-2, nobody is going to remember who we beat. That is the challenge moving forward.”

There is an interesting sidenote to the Van/Canton contest Oct. 29 as Moffatt will be seeking his 100th overall victory as Vandal Head Football Coach.

“It has not been mentioned so far in our preparations for Canton,” pointed out Moffatt. “My message to our kids is that this game has nothing to do about me. It has everything to do about winning this game which will put us one step closer to winning the district championship. If we win the game, we can talk about the 100th win, but only after the game, and if we win. We are facing our two most important games of the season and that is what our focus needs to be on right now.”

So far as the sub-varsity games scheduled is concerned Thursday, Oct. 28, the Vandal freshmen and junior varsity teams will be hosting Canton with the freshmen game starting at 5 p.m. followed by the J. V. game at around 6:30 p.m.

The junior high teams will be traveling to Canton Thursday, Oct. 28, with action beginning at 4:30 p.m.

For results of the Oct. 29 VZC rivalry game between the Vandals and the Eagles as well as a preview of the district and regular season finale at home against Brownsboro Friday, Nov. 5, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.