DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

Following an emotional come-from-behind victory on Friday the 13th against their rival, the Lindale Eagles, the schedule does not get any easier for the Van Vandals as another challenge awaits with the arrival of the Sunnyvale Raiders.

Kickoff for the Homecoming contest at Van’s Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 as both the Vandals and the Raiders will enter the game with overall records of 2-1.

The Vandals defeated Lindale, 28-23, in a down to the wire game while Sunnyvale had it easier Sept. 13 as they disposed of Caddo Mills, 57-14.

Sunnyvale’s only loss was to Aubrey, 33-31, on opening night Aug. 30. Aubrey was the team that eliminated Van from the state playoffs last season.

Sunnyvale is the pre-season favorite to win District 6-4A, Division 2. The district also includes Canton, Wills Point, Quinlan Ford, Ferris, and Kemp.

“Sunnyvale has been a really good program over the last 13 years when Coach John Settle left Brownsboro to go to Sunnyvale,” pointed out Vandal Head Football Coach Jared Moffatt. “Coach Settle retired last spring. Their defensive coordinator was promoted to head coach. Sunnyvale is a physical football team. They are tough-minded. They put a lot of time in the weight room. Their kids are strong up front. Last season, they almost beat Gilmer in the second round of the playoffs. They are a well-coached football team. This will be a four-quarter battle Friday night against Sunnyvale.”

Offensively, the Raiders have changed their offense somewhat, according to Moffatt.

“They are a little bit more ‘spread’ on offense now,” said Moffatt. “They used to be a really heavy H-back type of team, power and counter. They are throwing the football really well and throwing it more now. Defensively, they are an even front. They play a lot of two safeties in the secondary. They present a great challenge for us. Defensively, we have to put pressure on their quarterback. Offensively, we have to turn three-yard runs into five-yard runs. Our non-district schedule so far has featured teams that have been higher ranked than we were. We knew going into this season that we were going to play a number of really good football teams.”

The Vandals have been successful more times than not in their Homecoming matchups at Van’s Memorial Stadium during Moffatt’s 15 years in Van, but the Vandal head coach said it is still important for his team to understand what they need to focus on in their preparations for Sunnyvale.

“I have no concerns about Homecoming distractions,” emphasized Moffatt. “I have been here for so long now. I really appreciate the way Homecoming is handled here in Van. My first year here, I don’t mind telling you, it was a circus around here during Homecoming week, but over the last several years, it has been handled more like a regular week. Our players always enjoy the Homecoming parade and bonfire on Wednesday night (Sept. 18). The pep rally is now held at the end of the school day on Friday (Sept. 20). It has now turned into a regular work week where our players can focus on their jobs getting ready for the game.”

Moffatt knows that there will be people in the stands on Homecoming night that will be watching the Vandals play for the first and possibly only time this season.

“I tell my players that we usually have a great crowd here for Homecoming,” said Moffatt. “We always have great support from our fans here. I can’t thank our people enough for being in the stands, whether it is a home game or an away game. It means a lot to our players to look up in the stands and see that support. It is a special thing to be a part of our football program. We have a lot of former players that attend our games. I am looking forward to a great crowd Friday night and for them to be a factor in the game.”

The Vandal freshmen and junior varsity teams will visit Sunnyvale Thursday, Sept. 19 with the freshmen game starting at 5 p.m. followed by the J.V. game at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Van’s junior high teams will host Sunnyvale Thursday, Sept. 19. The seventh grade ‘A’ team will play at 4:30 p.m.

The eighth grade ‘B’ team will play at 6 p.m. followed by the eighth grade ‘A’ team at approximately 7 p.m.

Following the varsity Homecoming game against Sunnyvale, the Vandals will close out their non-district schedule at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 when they travel to Brownsboro to take on one of their long-time rivals, the Brownsboro Bears, before enjoying an open date on their schedule Friday, Oct. 4.

For results of the Van/Sunnyvale varsity Homecoming game and a preview of the Vandals’ final non-district game Friday, Sept. 27 at Brownsboro, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.