DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

After scoring 28 points in the first quarter, the Van Vandals were never seriously challenged as they dominated the winless Brownsboro Bears, 56-20, Sept. 27 in Brownsboro to close out non-district play with a 4-1 overall record.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals will now enjoy their bye week before opening District 7-4A, Division 2, play at home against the Spring Hill Panthers Friday, Oct. 11 at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

Moffatt has never lost to Brownsboro as the Vandals are now 15-0 against the Bears since the Vandal head coach arrived in Van.

Against Brownsboro, the Vandals finished with 18 first downs and 390 yards of total offense including 186 yards rushing and 204 yards passing.

The Bears ended the contest with 16 first downs and 250 yards of total offense including 172 yards rushing and 78 yards passing.

Vandal quarterback Jaxon Moffatt completed 10 out of 14 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Running back Austin Moffatt finished with 96 yards rushing on 11 carries and two TD’s.

Receiver Asher Hawkins, in his second game since returning from knee injuries suffered in the previous two seasons, led the Vandal receivers with four receptions for 44 yards and one TD.

Easton Hinch had an 82-yard reception and Caden Rowe caught two passes for 55 yards and one TD.

Defensively, defensive end Maeson Ray had 10 total tackles including two tackles for losses, one fumble caused, and one QB pressure.

Defensive lineman Foster Rust contributed nine total tackles including two tackles for losses, one QB sack, and two QB pressures.

“It was a good win, and I was happy to see us finish non-district play on a winning note,” said Jared Moffatt. “We challenged our players throughout the week to start fast which was one of our keys. I thought we did that. Everything was going great until they ran a kickoff back on us but then, we responded with a kickoff return for a touchdown of our own. We got ahead 35-8 with the help of three non-offensive touchdowns. I don’t remember the last time we ever had two kickoff returns for touchdowns in the same game. Our defense got one touchdown. I thought our offense played well early in the game. We started off the game in an atrocious manner with the way we handled the opening kickoff having to start at our own 5-yard line. We got a huge 82-yard screen pass play to Easton Hinch on that first scoring drive.”

While Jared Moffatt was happy with his team’s victory at Brownsboro, there were some things that happened in the game that did not please him.

“We made a stupid penalty on our first touchdown drive,” recalled the Vandal head coach. “Overall, I was pleased with the way we played, but I was real disappointed in the amount of dumb, selfish penalties we had in the game. Things like that will get you beat. We were able to overcome some of those things. We played with great effort, and I am happy we are 4-1 getting ready for the start of district play.”

Van received the opening kickoff and began deep in their own end of the field at its own 5-yard line before moving 95 yards in seven plays with Jaxon Moffatt ending the long scoring march with a 1-yard TD run. Aiden Moore added the first of his eight extra points to give the Vandals a 7-0 lead with 8:19 remaining in the first quarter. Key plays in the opening scoring drive for the Vandals included an 82-yard pass completion from Jaxon Moffatt to Hinch and two Brownsboro penalties (offsides and holding) as the Vandals had to overcome two penalties of their own (illegal procedure and a personal foul).

Following a Bear punt, the Vandals extended their lead as they moved 56 yards in 10 plays with Austin Moffatt ending the scoring march with a 16-yard TD run. Moore added the extra point to give the Vandals a 14-0 advantage with 2:25 to play in the first quarter.

Van’s defense got into the scoring act on Brownsboro’s first offensive play following the ensuing kickoff as a fumble by Brownsboro RB Trace Smith was picked up by Vandal sophomore linebacker Boston Blalock and returned 23 yards for a TD. Moore added the extra point giving the Vandals a seemingly comfortable 21-0 lead before a series of bizarre plays occurred.

Brownsboro’s Curtis Warren fielded the ensuing kickoff and raced 80 yards for a TD. Bear QB Adam Thompson connected with wide receiver Gabriel Hendricks on the two-point conversion to suddenly cut Van’s lead to 21-8 with 1:48 remaining in the first quarter.

Van responded with a kickoff return for a TD of its own as Rowe returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards with Moore adding the extra point to increase the Vandal lead to 28-8 with still 1:32 to play in the first quarter.

The Bears’ next kickoff return resulted in a fumble as Van’s Wyatt Dale recovered the ball at the Brownsboro 28.

Facing third down and 10 on the first play of the second quarter, Jaxon Moffatt connected with Hawkins on a 28-yard TD pass play. Moore added the extra point as the Vandals stormed to a 35-8 advantage with 11:51 remaining in the second quarter.

“The first quarter was strange and really, a lot about the game overall was strange,” said Jared Moffatt. “It had a different feel to it. The game was never really in doubt after our fast start, but it was still an interesting night. It got a little bit chippy out there. This was a rivalry game against Brownsboro. It was a tough game to officiate.”

Following a Brownsboro punt, the Vandals had excellent field position again at their own 45 but the drive stalled on the first play as a fumble by Hawkins after a 16-yard run was recovered by the Bears at the Brownsboro 29.

The Bears moved from their own 29 to the Vandal 6-yard line in eight plays including running gains of 12 yards by RB Javarius Bell and 19 yards by Bralen Kirkpatrick in addition to a 25-yard pass completion from Thompson to Kirkpatrick.

Van’s defense rose to the occasion to stop the Brownsboro scoring threat on fourth down and goal at the Vandal 6-yard line when Thompson’s pass to WR Reagan Ford was incomplete giving Van possession.

The Vandals advanced as deep as their own 40 with the help of a 19-yard run by reserve RB Chris Fabian and a 15-yard pass completion from Jaxon Moffatt to Rowe before the drive ended forcing a Van punt.

After a Bear punt, the Vandals ran out the first half clock as they headed into the locker room with a 27-point advantage.

Brownsboro received the second half kickoff and moved 63 yards in 11 plays ending with an 11-yard TD pass completion on fourth down and two from Thompson to Hendricks cutting Van’s lead to 35-14 with 6:40 to play in the third quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed as Thompson’s pass to Mann Scott was incomplete. Key plays in the Bears’ scoring drive included a 10-yard pass completion from Thompson to Braydon Pinnell and a 19-yard run by Kirkpatrick.

Special teams struck again for the Vandals as Da’Quavion Williams took the ensuing kickoff and ran it back 85 yards for a TD. Moore added the extra point giving the Vandals a 42-14 lead with 6:26 remaining in the third quarter.

Brownsboro’s next offensive possession resulted in a turnover as Thompson completed a short pass to Pinnell, but Pinnell fumbled following the reception with Van defensive back Hinch recovering the ball at the Vandal 47.

Three plays later on first down at the Bear 40, Jaxon Moffatt connected with Rowe on a 40-yard TD pass play. Moore added the extra point giving the Vandals a 49-14 advantage with 4:12 to play in the third quarter.

Brownsboro responded by moving 69 yards in 10 plays as Bell ended the scoring march with a 5-yard TD run cutting Van’s lead to 49-20 with 11:54 remaining in the fourth quarter. Thompson was stopped short of the goal-line on the two-point conversion attempt. Key plays in what turned out to be the Bears’ final scoring drive included running gains of 29 and 15 yards by Warren and two Vandal defensive penalties (unsportsmanlike conduct and roughing the passer).

Van responded with its final scoring drive of the game as the Vandals moved 68 yards in eight plays (seven running) with Austin Moffatt, on his fourth consecutive carry, running six yards for a TD to end the scoring march. Moore added the extra point giving the Vandals a 56-20 advantage with 7:43 remaining in the game. Austin Moffatt also had running gains of 14 and 19 yards in Van’s final scoring drive.

The Bears had one final scoring threat as they advanced from their own 40 to the Vandal 19 in four plays including a 37-yard run by Warren but on fourth down and three at the Van 19, Bell was stopped for no gain by the Van defense giving the ball back to the Vandals.

Jared Moffatt expressed his appreciation to the Vandal crowd for the enthusiasm they showed in the stands throughout the game at Brownsboro.

“I appreciate the heck out of our crowd,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “I thought it was the most enthusiastic crowd we have had all season so far. The way the stadium is laid out there in Brownsboro, the crowd is on top of the game. I thought our fans were into the game and they were a part of the game. Our student section was really good. I love it when our fans in the stands are part of the game. I think they had an impact on the game. Our players feed off of that.”

The Vandal head coach recognized the individual performances of Ray, linebacker Dale, LB Landon Smith, defensive back Cade Christensen, Hinch (both sides of the ball), Hawkins, Rowe, WR Aiden Willis, Austin Moffatt, and Fabian.

“Our offensive line again played well,” summarized Jared Moffatt. “I thought other than the penalties and our inconsistent kickoff coverage, we played a pretty complete football game overall as a team.”