DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

Defense was the name of the game for the Van Vandals on Homecoming night Sept. 20 at Van’s Memorial Stadium as Van improved its overall season record to 3-1 with a hard fought 28-14 victory over the Sunnyvale Raiders at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

Prior to kickoff, Trinity Chapman was named as the 2024 Van High School Homecoming Queen and starting left offensive tackle Cooper Hullum was selected as the 2024 VHS Homecoming King.

The Vandals conclude their non-district schedule with a visit to Brownsboro Sept. 27 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against the winless Brownsboro Bears (0-4).

Against Sunnyvale, the Vandal defense held the Raiders to eight first downs and 149 yards of total offense including 13 yards rushing.

Van forced two Sunnyvale turnovers including a pick-six interception return for a touchdown in the first half by senior defensive back Easton Hinch.

The Vandals registered five quarterback sacks including three by senior defensive end Maeson Ray and two by senior defensive lineman Foster Rust.

Senior linebacker Wyatt Dale led the Vandals in total tackles with 10 followed by Ray and Rust with nine total tackles, senior linebacker Landon Smith with eight total tackles, and senior defensive back Cade Christensen with seven total tackles.

Offensively, the Vandals executed 71 total offensive plays finishing with 24 first downs and 389 yards of total offense (271 yards rushing and 118 yards passing).

Senior running back Austin Moffatt led the Vandal running attack with 125 yards rushing on 25 carries in addition to catching two passes for 46 yards and one TD.

Senior reserve RB Chris Fabian contributed 89 yards rushing on 13 carries and one TD.

Senior quarterback Jaxon Moffatt completed eight out of 18 passes for 118 yards, one TD, and one interception.

Senior Caden Rowe caught three passes for 47 yards and Hinch had two receptions for 21 yards against Sunnyvale.

The Vandals suffered three turnovers (two fumbles and one interception) and committed eight penalties for 90 yards.

“We were excited to come away with a win against Sunnyvale,” recalled Vandal Head Football Coach Jared Moffatt. “I thought our defense played extremely well. We gave up two plays for touchdowns but outside of that, we played really well. Our defensive front really put pressure on their quarterback. A number of defensive linemen are playing well for us. The pick-six by Easton Hinch was a huge play for us.

“Offensively, we did some good things,” continued Jared Moffatt. “Our offensive line did a great job. Austin Moffatt and Chris Fabian ran well. They are different types of backs, but both were effective in the game. We had a terrible night throwing and catching the football. We missed some throws we have to make. We didn’t run very good routes. We just didn’t execute in the passing game. It was a frustrating night offensively. We never felt comfortable at any point in the game. Our effort was there.”

The Vandal head coach discussed further the defensive game plan going into the game against Sunnyvale.

“The first key for our defense was to get pressure on the quarterback and cover well in the secondary and for the most part, we did that,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “We did a great job defensively against the run. The secondary’s best friend is a good pass rush. We forced them to miss some throws with our pressure. I was real proud of our defensive effort.”

Jared Moffatt continues to be impressed with the play of his offensive line as the Vandals ran over 70 offensive plays from scrimmage for the second game in a row.

“Our offensive line is getting better every single week,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “We have three new starters in the offensive line this season. We did a great job of blocking throughout the game. Coach Bryant is doing a great job with that group.”

Junior D’Quavion Williams, nicknamed ‘Q,’ got some playing time at running back for the first time this season.

“Q is a talented runner,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “He is playing cornerback on defense for us. We need to get the ball in his hands and see what he can do for us in our running game. We like what he can bring for us. We want to get him involved in the offense.”

Making his first appearance of the 2024 season against Sunnyvale was senior wide receiver/defensive back Asher Hawkins who has missed significant playing time with knee injuries over the past two seasons.

“Asher did not play a ton of plays for us against Sunnyvale which was by design,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “He only practiced one full week before that game. He was in on three plays offensively. We are trying to get him worked in. He will play more against Brownsboro this week offensively and defensively. He is an impactful, dynamic player. He made a fair catch on a punt, and we definitely want to get him more involved in our kicking game as well.”

Following a failed onside kick attempt by Sunnyvale to start the game, the Vandals had excellent field position at the Raider 39 but suffered a lost fumble following a short pass completion giving Sunnyvale the ball back at the Raider 48.

Sunnyvale later had a fourth down and two at the Vandal 44, but their drive stalled on a fourth down incomplete pass from Raider QB Cayson Maupin to wide receiver Owen Diabaj as the Vandal defense gave the ball back to their offensive unit at the Van 44.

Six plays later, the Vandals opened the scoring completing a 56-yard scoring drive as the Moffatt twins combined for a 40-yard TD pass play as Jaxon Moffatt connected with Austin Moffatt. Aiden Moore added the extra point giving the Vandals a 7-0 lead with 7:51 remaining in the first quarter.

Following a 60-yard Sunnyvale punt, the Vandals were backed up to their own 9-yard line, but Van’s offense moved as deep as the Sunnyvale 48 in 12 plays including a 21-yard run by Austin Moffatt.

The scoring threat for the Vandals ended as an intentional grounding penalty and a fumble by Jaxon Moffatt on a QB sack led to a Sunnyvale recovery at the Van 44.

The Raiders threatened to get on the scoreboard as they moved as deep as the Vandal 15 in five plays including a personal foul penalty against Van that negated an interception by sophomore DB Ian Hopson, and a 15-yard pass completion from Maupin to WR Joshua McDill.

On second down and 10 at the Van 15, the Vandal defense shined as a sack of Maupin forced a fumble which was recovered by Christensen at the Vandal 15.

Following a booming 55-yard punt by Rowe, the Raiders were backed up to their own 13 when the Vandal defense came through with another turnover as Maupin’s quick pass to the sideline was intercepted by Hinch and returned 23 yards for a TD. Moore added the extra point giving the Vandals a 14-0 lead with 8:36 to play in the second quarter.

Sunnyvale responded by moving 67 yards in four plays as Maupin ended the drive by connecting with RB Jaden Cross on a 45-yard TD pass play. Gabe Pendyala added the extra point cutting Van’s lead to 14-7 with 6:54 remaining before halftime. A personal foul penalty against the Vandal defense aided Sunnyvale’s scoring march.

The Vandals came right back and moved from their own 18 to the Raider 2-yard line in 17 plays including a 14-yard pass completion from Jaxon Moffatt to Hinch, an 11-yard run by Fabian, and a 10-yard run by Austin Moffatt, but on fourth down and goal at the Raider 2-yard line, the scoring threat ended for Van as Jaxon Moffatt was tackled after a one-yard gain with 10 seconds to play before intermission.

Sunnyvale received the opening kickoff and tied the game with their first offensive possession as the Raiders moved 68 yards in five plays that ended with another Maupin to Cross TD pass connection, this time from 43 yards away. Pendyala added the extra point for a 14-14 deadlock with 10:14 remaining in the third quarter. A personal foul penalty against the Vandals aided the tying TD drive for Sunnyvale.

Following a Vandal punt, the Raiders decided to go for the first down on fourth down and one at their own 31 but Van’s defense refused to allow any penetration by the Raider offense as Maupin was tackled for a one-yard loss giving Van excellent field position at the Sunnyvale 30.

Van took full advantage of the great field position as five consecutive running plays later, Jaxon Moffatt broke the tie with a 4-yard TD run. Moore added the extra point giving the Vandals a 21-14 lead with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter.

After a poor Raider punt, the Vandals extended their advantage by moving 38 yards on three consecutive running plays that ended with a 24-yard TD run by Fabian. Moore added the extra point giving Van a sudden 28-14 lead with three minutes to play in the third quarter.

Following another Sunnyvale punt, the Vandals moved from their own 22 to the Raider 34 on six consecutive running plays including a 34-yard gain by Austin Moffatt, but on fourth down and nine at the Raider 34, the scoring threat for Van came to an end on an incomplete pass from Jaxon Moffatt to Rowe giving Sunnyvale possession early in the fourth quarter.

After another Raider punt, the Vandals had another opportunity to add to their lead as they moved from their own 33 to the Sunnyvale 12 in 10 plays including a 32-yard pass completion from Jaxon Moffatt to Rowe, but on fourth down and six, the scoring threat again ended for Van as Jaxon Moffatt’s pass to Rowe in the end zone was intercepted by Sunnyvale DB Garren James and returned to the Raider 22 with 1:25 remaining in the game.

The Raiders final offensive possession ended on fourth down at their own 35 when Maupin’s pass to McDill was incomplete allowing the Vandals to run out the clock with 18 seconds remaining.

Jared Moffatt recognized the individual play of Ray, Rust, defensive tackles Armando Lozano, Tiler Williams, Waylon King, Josh Christian, and Oliver Stowe; Hinch, Fabian, Austin Moffatt, offensive linemen Justice Anderson, Cooper Hullum, Karter Broyles, Landon Robinson, and Collier Bryant; and Rowe (receiving and punting).