DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

After eight straight weeks of playing competitive football, a break from the routine is what the Vandals need now to allow some players to heal up from injuries and to have extra preparation time for their most challenging opponent of the 2022 season.

With two regular season games remaining, Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals are currently 5-3 overall and 3-1 in District 8-4A, Division 2, play as they will now enjoy some time off before the arrival of the Carthage Bulldogs at Van’s Memorial Stadium Friday, Oct. 28.

Van will close out its 2022 regular season schedule at Bullard Friday, Nov. 4, against the Bullard Panthers (3-4, 2-1).

Carthage is currently undefeated (7-0, 3-0) and ranked number one in the state in Class 4A, Division 2, according to Texas Football Magazine.

The Bulldogs will be hosting the Center Roughriders (5-2, 2-1) Friday, Oct. 21 before making the trip to Van a week later in what will be the final regular season game for Carthage as the Bulldogs will have their bye week on Friday, Nov. 4.

Van enters its bye week after being dominated Oct. 17 on the road against the Roughriders in a 63-21 blowout defeat.

“Nobody was in a good state of mind after that game,” said Moffatt Oct. 17. “It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. We have proud players and proud coaches. We don’t typically lose many games like that. There are a lot of unhappy people in our program after that game. We did not play well in a highly important district game and that is frustrating. At the same time, I have seen our guys respond to adverse situations. I believe they will respond well in this situation. I wish we were not going into our bye week after a game like that. Our kids work hard and play hard. They are ready to move on. They are warriors.”

With the Vandals having a bye week, the weekly in-season routine for the Vandals will change quite a bit especially with school being out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Oct. 19, 20, 21), according to Moffatt.

“We have a two-day week at school this week,” said Moffatt. “Normally, during our bye week, we practice Tuesday and Wednesday. Our players got Monday (Oct. 17) off from practice this week. Tuesday (Oct. 18) will be our long practice day this week. With our bye week coming so late in the season and with school being out three days this week, we will give the players the remainder of the week off. Physically, we need this time off. We have players that are beat up and they have been playing hurt. We will get our game plan in for Carthage in time for our Tuesday practice which will give us a head start for next week’s practices.”

Moffatt said that the players are not the only ones who are in need of a break from the routine as the Vandal coaches will also have a chance to get some rest as well.

“Our coaches work on Saturday and Sunday throughout the season,” pointed out Moffatt. “They have been working seven days a week for the past eight weeks. The coaches took this past weekend off after the Center game. They will get some time off also while school is out. It is much needed for all of us especially this late in the season.”

The Vandal head coach is hoping to have some players return from long term injury against Carthage including offensive tackle Jose Suarez (broken leg), defensive end Logan Fattig (collarbone), and offensive lineman Bruce Shaw (knee).

With three weeks remaining, the current District 8-4A, Division 2, standings show that Carthage is leading the district with a 4-0 record followed by Van at 3-1, Center and Bullard at 2-1, Rusk at 1-2, Brownsboro at 0-3, and Canton at 0-4.

With a win in either of their final two games (Carthage, Bullard), the Vandals will be assured of being in the state playoffs for the 12th time in Moffatt’s 13 years at Van.

“Our players will show up and play hard against Carthage and Bullard,” emphasized Moffatt. “Playing hard was not an issue at Center. We did not play well at Center, but it was not because of a lack of effort.”

While the Vandals enjoy a night off on Oct. 21, the other members of District 8-4A, Division 2, will be in action including Canton traveling to Brownsboro while Carthage will host Center and Rusk will visit  Bullard.

For a preview of the Van/Carthage matchup in Van’s home season finale Oct. 28, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.