DAVID BARBER

davidb@vanzandtnews.com

 In what arguably was their best team performance of the 2023 regular season, the Van Vandals scored early and often Sept. 29 as they blew past their Van Zandt County rival, the Canton Eagles, 49-3, at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals, 5-1 overall and 2-0 in District 8-4A, Division 2, play will travel to Rusk for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against the Rusk Eagles (3-2, 0-1) Friday, Oct. 6. Rusk lost to Center, 76-48, in its district opener Sept. 29. Canton is now 2-4 overall and 0-2 in district play.

Against Canton, the Vandals finished with 26 first downs and 463 yards of total offense that was well balanced (231 yards rushing and 232 yards passing).

Vandal quarterback Jaxon Moffatt completed 12 out of 14 passes for 232 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Vandal QB also had 54 yards rushing on six carries and one TD.

His twin brother, Austin Moffatt, led Van’s running game with 106 yards rushing on 11 carries and one TD. Running back Cannon Rainey had 44 yards rushing on four carries and one TD. RB Colton Miller had 24 yards on six carries and one TD.

Wide receiver Caden Rowe caught six passes for 153 yards and two TD’s to lead the Vandal receivers.

Van’s defense held Canton to 11 first downs and 193 yards of total offense (142 yards rushing and 51 yards passing).

Canton QB Nathan Parker was nine out of 16 passing for 51 yards, no TD’s, and one interception. RB Avery Wilson carried the ball 30 times for 89 yards rushing. WR Nathan Whitlock had five receptions for 31 yards and WR Justus Petree finished with four receptions for 20 yards in addition to a 48-yard run.

“I thought our kids played really hard against Canton in what was maybe our most complete game this season,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “We played well in all spots for all four quarters. I was proud of that. We entered the game with the right mindset.

“We did a lot of things really well offensively,” continued Jared Moffatt. “Jaxon threw the ball well and our receivers caught the ball well. We completed passes at a high percentage. We executed well offensively, and we need to continue to do that at a high level for four quarters. We had big plays in the passing game against Canton. Our running game has been able to set up our passing game. That has to continue. We have some really good teams left on our schedule.”

The Vandal head coach also discussed the performance of his defensive unit, which kept Canton out of the end zone and allowing only a field goal.

“Our defense played really well,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “They were active. Our defensive line was disruptive. We are getting better every week. When you hold an opponent to three points, it sure gives you a good chance to win the game. When our defense plays well on Friday night, it is because of the tremendous effort put out by all 11 defensive players. They are doing their job and doing what they are coached to do. We had five players with double digit tackles against Canton. Our guys have a burning desire to get to the football on every down.”

Against Canton, the Vandals received the opening kickoff and set the tone for the game by advancing 72 yards in 10 plays.

Jaxon Moffatt ended the initial scoring march with a 9-yard TD run. Josh Christian added the extra point giving Van a 7-0 lead with 7:30 remaining in the first quarter. Key plays in the first Vandal scoring drive included a 15-yard pass completion and an 18-yard run by Jaxon Moffatt.

Canton’s first offensive series resulted in a turnover on third down and six at the Eagle 42 when Parker’s pass over the middle was intercepted by Vandal free safety Rainey and returned to the Canton 19.

Two plays later, Austin Moffatt raced 16 yards for a TD. Christian added the extra point giving Van a 14-0 advantage with 5:20 to go in the first quarter.

Following a Canton punt, it took the Vandals only one play to get on the scoreboard again as Jaxon Moffatt connected with Rowe on a 77-yard TD pass play. Christian added the extra point giving the Vandals a suddenly commanding 21-0 lead with still 1:42 remaining in the first quarter.

After a 48-yard run by Petree on a reverse, the Eagles had excellent field position at the Vandal 22 but Van’s defense stiffened and kept Canton out of the end zone.

On fourth down and seven at the Van 22, Parker’s pass was incomplete giving the ball back to the Vandals allowing Van to move 81 yards in eight plays to extend their lead.

Rainey ended the march with a 5-yard TD run. Christian added the extra point giving the Vandals a 28-0 lead with 9:26 remaining in the second quarter. Key plays in the Vandal scoring drive included running gains of 26 yards by Rainey and 12 yards by Austin Moffatt in addition to a 12-yard pass completion from Jaxon Moffatt to WR Easton Hinch.

After a 37-yard kickoff return by Canton’s Landon Faglie, the Eagles were again in Vandal territory at the 33 but eight plays later, the Eagles faced a fourth down and long situation at the Van 24 as they sent in kicker Kevin Velazquez to attempt a 41-yard field goal attempt. The attempt was good cutting the Vandal lead to 28-3 with 5:12 remaining in the second quarter.

The Vandals drove from their own 10 to the Canton 10 in five plays including an 18-yard run by Austin Moffatt and two Eagle penalties (pass interference and unsportsmanlike conduct).

Van’s scoring threat came to a close on third down and eight at the Eagle 10 when Austin Moffatt fumbled, and Canton defensive lineman Quentin Schmidt recovered the ball at the Canton 6 allowing the Eagles to run out the first half clock.

The Vandal defense rose to the occasion again early in the third quarter as a fumble by Wilson of the Eagles was recovered by Vandal defensive tackle Logan Fattig at the Canton 39.

Three plays later, Jaxon Moffatt again connected with Rowe, this time on an 8-yard TD pass play. Christian added the extra point extending the Vandal advantage to 35-3 with 9:48 remaining in the third quarter. A 10-yard run by Austin Moffatt set up the TD pass play.

Following a Canton punt, the Vandals moved 60 yards in three plays to light up the scoreboard again as Jaxon Moffatt connected with WR Jackson Admire on a 25-yard TD pass play. Christian added the extra point giving the Vandals a 42-3 advantage with 7:53 to play in the third quarter. A 26-yard pass completion from Jaxon Moffatt to Rowe set up the TD reception.

The Eagles moved as deep as the Vandal 46 on their next offensive series facing a fourth down and one, but the Vandal defense stopped Canton RB Reed Vannorsdel for no gain giving the Vandals excellent field position.

Seven running plays later, Miller ran five yards for a TD. Alex Aceves added the extra point giving the Vandals a 49-3 lead with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Running gains of 12 yards by Austin Moffatt and 10 yards by Jaxon Moffatt were key plays in what turned out to be the final scoring drive of the game for the Vandals.

Canton moved from its own 25 to the Vandal 15 in 12 plays, including a 23-yard run by Wilson and pass completions from Parker covering 11 yards to Petree and 10 yards to Whitlock, but on fourth down and 11 at the Van 15, the Vandal defense again kept the Eagles out of the end zone as Parker’s pass to Whitlock was incomplete giving possession back to the Vandals.

After a Van punt, which was only the second punt by the Vandals in the last four games, the Eagles moved as deep as the Vandal 34 but again, Van’s defense stopped the Eagles on fourth down and six as another Parker pass to Whitlock was incomplete.

Following a Van fumble, the Eagles were able to run out the clock after five straight running plays to end the game with the ball at the Vandal 17.

Defensive statistics for the Vandals were released by the Van coaching staff and the numbers against Canton were as follows:

Cade Christensen, 14 total tackles and one fumble caused; Wyatt Dale, 14 total tackles and one tackle for a loss; Tuff Arozamena, 12 total tackles, two tackles for losses, and one QB pressure; Foster Rust, 12 total tackles, and four QB pressures; Cannon Rainey, 10 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one interception; Logan Fattig, seven total tackles, four tackles for losses, one fumble recovery, and one QB pressure; Reggie Johnson, seven total tackles; Garrett Phillips, seven total tackles; Easton Hinch, seven total tackles, and one tackle for a loss; Gabriel Bachert, seven total tackles; Colton Miller, six total tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one QB pressure; Luke Horton, four total tackles, and one tackle for a loss; Anthony Skitt, four total tackles; Jackson Admire, three total tackles; Josh Christian, two total tackles, and one QB pressure; Bruce Shaw, two total tackles;  and Armando Lozano, two total tackles.

Against Canton, Jared Moffatt recognized the individual performances of Dale, Rust, Horton, Rowe, Rainey, Christensen, Bachert, Hinch, Fattig, Arozamena, Miller, Jose Suarez, Ace Bostick, Justus Anderson, Trae Derrick, Cooper Hullum, Admire, Austin Moffatt, Jaxon Moffatt, Christian, Colten Grier, and Phillips.