DAVID BARBER
Sports Correspondent
On Sept. 20, the Van Vandals celebrated Homecoming with a 28-14 victory over the Sunnyvale Raiders at Van’s Memorial Stadium.
A lot has changed for both teams since that game as they will meet once again for a larger prize, a berth in Class 4A, Division 2, Regional Finals.
Kickoff in the rematch between the Vandals and the Raiders is set for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 at Mesquite Memorial Stadium as Van returns to the same location where they outlasted Van Alstyne Nov. 22 in the Area Championship game, 45-42.
For the second week in a row in the playoffs, the Vandals, 9-3 overall, will be facing an opponent that enters the game on a seven-game winning streak as Van snapped Van Alstyne’s winning streak Nov. 22. 
The Raiders, 8-4 overall, have lost one game since their first meeting against the Vandals in Van’s Memorial Stadium back in September as Sunnyvale went through their District 6-4A, Division 2, schedule undefeated to claim their district championship.
Sunnyvale surprised the defending Class 4A, Division 2, state champions, the Gilmer Buckeyes, Nov. 21 in Sulphur Springs, 27-17, in their Area round contest.
“Sunnyvale has been a really good football team all season,” pointed out Vandal Head Coach Jared Moffatt. “They are playing really well right now. They have won seven games in a row. They won their district. They just upset Gilmer in a great football game. Their sophomore quarterback played really great against Gilmer. He has come a long way since the start of the season. Their receivers can make plays.
“Defensively, I remember that they held our offense to 21 points in the first game we played against them,” emphasized Moffatt. “We were worried about their defensive front before we played them the first time. We are really worried about them now. They are very active up front. They play hard and do a lot of twisting and moving around. Their secondary has a number of interceptions this season. My guess would be that they have had over 20 interceptions this season. They had a pick-6 against Gilmer. They had three interceptions overall against Gilmer. They do a good job with their man-to-man coverage in the secondary.”
Not much has changed from a schematic standpoint offensively or defensively for the Raiders since their first meeting against the Vandals in September, according to Moffatt.
“They are very similar, and they believe in what they do on a week-to-week basis,” said Moffatt.
The Vandals are also facing some different challenges in preparation this week as school is closed this week for the Thanksgiving break and Van will also playing in an afternoon game for the first time this season Nov. 29.
“We are not going to change very much but obviously, it is different because we are not in school this week,” emphasized Moffatt. “The kids are not in the same routine. We are practicing in the afternoons just like we would if school was in. On Thanksgiving Day, we will practice during the morning. We are fortunate to still be playing after Thanksgiving. We are one of 16 teams remaining competing for a Class 4A, Division 2 state championship. That is pretty special. Our players have earned this opportunity. We are excited about what we have in front of us.”
In order for the Vandals to come out victorious over Sunnyvale Friday afternoon, the defense will have to contain Sunnyvale’s quarterback and make plays against their passing game, according to Moffatt.
“Their quarterback has gotten a lot better since we played them the first time around,” said the Vandal head coach. “Offensively, we have to be able to block their front. Their defensive front is very physical. We have to find a way to make more plays than they do. Turnovers will be critical in this game. Sunnyvale forced five turnovers against Gilmer. We have to execute well in our special teams. At this time of year, these games are big. Only one team is going to advance after Friday afternoon’s game. I know we will give everything we got. It will be a great high school football playoff game Friday afternoon.
“I hope we have a great crowd in Mesquite Friday afternoon,” concluded Moffatt. “The last time we played in a playoff game on the day after Thanksgiving, we had a great crowd then and I hope we can do that again this week. A lot of people will be off from work Friday and Mesquite is not a long drive.”
The winner of the Van/Sunnyvale contest will take on the winner of the matchup between top-ranked Carthage and fifth-ranked Texarkana Pleasant Grove in the Class 4A, Division 2 Regional Final at a site and time yet to be determined.
The Carthage/Texarkana Pleasant Grove game will be played at 2 p.m. Friday in Longview’s Lobo Stadium.
For results of the Van/Sunnyvale Class 4A, Division 2, Regional Semifinal contest, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.