DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

After shutting out their Van Zandt County rival, the Canton Eagles, Sept. 30, the Van Vandals will put their 2-0 district record on the line Friday, Oct. 7, when they host the Rusk Eagles in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals, 4-2 overall to go along with their 2-0 record in District 8-4A, Division 2, is one of three remaining district teams that are undefeated in district action.

The Carthage Bulldogs (2-0) along with Rusk (1-0) are the other two members of the district who are spotless in district play so far, along with the Vandals.

The Vandals are arguably coming off one of their best team performances of the 2022 season when they blanked the Canton Eagles (0-2) on the road, 45-0, while Rusk edged the Center Roughriders (1-1), 40-35, Sept. 30 at Rusk.

Carthage easily disposed of the Brownsboro Bears (0-2) in the other district matchup, 69-13, Sept. 30 in Brownsboro.

Rusk is 4-1 overall heading into the district showdown at Van. The Eagles are coached by Thomas Sitton and are led offensively by quarterback Aiden McCown, the son of former Jacksonville High School standout and National Football League (NFL) QB Josh McCown.

“Rusk is playing really well,” pointed out Moffatt. “They had the bye week during the first week of district play so they are behind us in terms of how many games they have played. Rusk won a huge game against Center last Friday night. It was a game that could have gone either way. Coach Sitton is doing a great job at Rusk. I am not surprised at how hard his kids play for him.

“The McCown kid is a heck of a quarterback for them,” continued the Vandal head coach. “He is playing well. He is an effective passer and runner. He creates problems. They have receivers making plays. Rusk is very talented in all three phases. It will be a great game here Friday night (Oct. 7) with a lot on the line.”

Rusk is a ‘spread’ team offensively and will show an ‘odd-front’ defensively as well as multiple looks in the secondary.

On the injury front, the Vandals are hoping to have right offensive tackle Bruce Shaw back in the lineup against Rusk after injuring his knee in the first half against Canton Sept. 30.

Sophomore Cooper Hullum filled in for Shaw against Canton and will get the start against Rusk if Shaw is not able to play, according to Moffatt. “Cooper did a really good job against Canton,” said the Vandal head coach.

In other District 8-4A, Division 2, action Oct. 7, the Canton Eagles (0-2 in district) will have a tall task as they will travel to Carthage to take on the state’s number one ranked team in Class 4A, Division 2, the undefeated Carthage Bulldogs (2-0) while the Brownsboro Bears (0-2) will visit Bullard for a matchup against the Bullard Panthers (0-1). The Center Roughriders (1-1) will have a bye week.

The Vandal junior high football teams will be hosting Rusk Thursday, Oct. 6 with the action beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Van’s Memorial Stadium while the freshmen and junior varsity teams will be traveling to Rusk with the freshmen game starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 6 followed by the J. V. game around 6:45 p.m.

For results of the Van/Rusk district matchup as well as a preview of the Vandals’ visit to Center Friday, Oct. 14, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.