DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

Coming off arguably their best team performance so far this season in a 49-0 dominating win at home over the Pittsburg Pirates Oct. 25, the Van Vandals will be looking to build on that momentum when they host the Paris North Lamar Panthers in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Van’s Memorial Stadium Friday, Nov. 1 on ‘Senior Night.’

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals are currently 6-2 overall and 2-1 in District 7-4A, Division 2, and must win Nov. 1 to keep their hopes for at least a share of the district championship in their sights.

Van’s final district and regular season game will be Friday, Nov. 8 in Texarkana against the highly state-ranked and current district leading Texarkana Pleasant Grove Hawks (6-2, 3-0).

Before the Vandals can think about that potential district championship showdown contest, Moffatt emphasized that business must be taking care of first against Paris North Lamar at home Friday night.

Paris North Lamar enters Van’s Memorial Stadium with an overall record of 1-7 and an 0-3 mark in district play.

“Paris North Lamar has not played great, and they are struggling,” pointed out Moffatt. “Their only victory was over Mineola in a one-score game. They have been in some close games with a chance to win. The focus is always on us. It is not about the opponent. What do we have to do for us to be successful? That has to be our actual focus as we prepare for this game. We can’t change our mentality this week. What is our intent when we hit the field Friday night? That is our challenge as we face Paris North Lamar. I want to see if we can do that.”

Offensively, the Panthers throw the ball a lot, according to Moffatt. “I like their quarterback,” emphasized the Vandal head coach. “He can create, and he can scramble. He is a sophomore. They have guys that can catch the ball. We need our defensive front to create some pressure and make the QB uncomfortable. A pass rush is the secondary’s best friend. If we can create a pass rush and make their QB uncomfortable, it will help greatly in our ability to cover downfield. 

“Defensively, they are an ‘odd-front’ team,” continued Moffatt. “They don’t play a lot of fronts or coverages, but they will mix it up in the secondary. They line up in a ‘3-2.”

Moffatt also discussed the significance of ‘Senior Night’ as his twin sons, Jaxon and Austin, will be among the seniors recognized prior to kickoff Friday night.

“Obviously, this ‘Senior Night’ will be a special one for me,” emphasized Moffatt. “The twins are the last of my kids that will have a ‘Senior Night’ recognition in our stadium. This will be the last ‘Senior Night’ in our family for me and Amy. I don’t consider myself to be an overly emotional guy, but I think this might be a little bit emotional for me Friday night. For seven straight years, I have had a son playing for me on the varsity football team. The reality of this will probably hit me a little bit Friday night. 

“Overall, this senior class has done a great job at Van,” continued Moffatt. “From seventh grade through now, all these guys have done is just line up and win games. This senior group has won a lot of football games. They are a fun group to be around. They are a bunch of good high school football players that love playing together and love playing for their community. They love to compete. My twin boys are in this group, so I know them well. They hang out at my house and eat all of my food. I am so appreciative of the leadership that they have provided for our team and our program. ‘Senior Night’ is always a bittersweet night.”

So far as the sub-varsity schedule is concerned for Thursday, Oct. 31, the junior high teams will host Paris North Lamar starting at 4:30 p.m. with the eighth grade ‘B’ team game followed by the seventh grade ‘A’ team game at 5:30 p.m. and the eighth grade ‘A’ team game at 6:30 p.m.

Van’s freshman team will be playing Longview’s freshmen ‘B’ team in Longview starting at 7 p.m. while the junior varsity team will travel to Paris North Lamar for a 5 p.m. kickoff.

In other District 7-4A, Division 2, action Nov. 1, Gilmer (5-3, 2-1) will host Spring Hill (2-6, 1-2) while Texarkana Pleasant Grove will travel to Pittsburg (1-7, 1-2).

In the final week of district and regular season play Nov. 8, Van will visit Texarkana Pleasant Grove, Pittsburg will travel to Spring Hill, and Gilmer will visit Paris North Lamar.

When the Class 4A state playoffs begin, teams from District 7-4A, Division 2, will be matched up against teams from District 8-4A, Division 2, in the bi-district round.

Currently, Carthage is leading District 8-4A, Division 2, with a 3-0 district record followed by Center and Athens at 2-1, Bullard and Rusk at 1-2, and Brownsboro at 0-3.

Center will play Athens Nov. 1 in a contest that will more than likely determine the second and third place teams in that district.

For results of the Van/Paris North Lamar varsity game Nov. 1 and a preview of the regular season and district finale at Texarkana Pleasant Grove Nov. 8, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.