DAVID BARBER

davidb@vanzandtnews.com

After falling arguably to the best overall team they have faced during the 2025 regular season against Texarkana Pleasant Grove Nov. 7, Coach Jared Moffatt’s Van Vandals know that it is time to focus on post-season play.

That first step in the playoffs will come in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Nov. 14, at The Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville when the Vandals take on the Center Roughriders in a Class 4A, District 2, bi-district playoff matchup.

The Vandals, 6-4 overall, enter the playoff meeting as the runner-up team in District 7-4A, Division 2, while the Roughriders (5-5) are the third-place team in District 8-4A, Division 2.

Van will be the designated ‘visiting’ team in the game as Vandal fans are asked to sit on the side opposite the press box at The Tomato Bowl.

“We have never played a Center team that was not talented, and this Center team is no exception to that,” pointed out Moffatt. “Center has talent in a lot of spots on the field. They have size up front on both lines. Their running back has had a great year for them. Their quarterback is fast and can make plays for them. They threw the ball a lot in their last game against Rusk. They have plenty of talent.”

Moffatt said that the Roughriders are playing basically out of an ‘even front’ defensively. 

“Their play kids play hard on defense, and they have a really good linebacker on their team,” said Moffatt. “They are running to the ball and tackling well. They have an athletic secondary. They played in the same district with Carthage and Athens, two really good football teams. All of the teams that have beaten Center are really good football teams. They present quite a challenge for us. It is going to be a tough football game.”

The Roughriders are primarily a ‘spread’ team offensively. “They have guys that can make plays on the perimeter,” pointed out Moffatt. “Their head coach is in his first year at Canter and you can tell that they are getting better each week.”

In other bi-district matchups featuring teams from District 7-4A, Division 2, and District 8-4A, Division 2, Texarkana Pleasant Grove (9-1), the District 7-4A, Division 2, champion hosted Brownsboro (2-8), the fourth-place team in District 8-4A, Division 2, Nov. 13.

Gilmer, the third-place team in District 7-4A, Division 2, will face Athens, the District 8-4A, Division 2, runner-up, in Henderson Nov. 14.

Pittsburg, the fourth-place team in District 7-4A, Division 2, played the defending Class 4A, Division 2, state champion and District 8-4A, Division 2, champion Carthage Nov. 13.

“It will be tough for Pittsburg to win against Carthage for sure,” summarized Moffatt. “The Gilmer/Athens game is interesting. Athens played really well against Carthage earlier in their district play. Gilmer is still Gilmer. I think a lot of both of those head coaches. Brownsboro going to Texarkana Pleasant Grove is going to be tough. Our region also has Sunnyvale, Krum, and Canton. This is a really tough region. When we play well and play our best football, we can beat a lot of good teams. When we don’t play our best, we can lose to just about anybody. We are in the playoffs now. After Friday night, half of the teams that are playing will end their seasons. We have to be at our best in the playoffs to keep playing.”

Moffatt is confident that his team will respond in the right way following the loss to Texarkana Pleasant Grove and the upcoming playoff game against Center Nov. 14.

“We have already responded to things that haven’t gone our way previously this season,” emphasized Moffatt. “These guys will be ready to play. They have never backed off from a challenge. They don’t shy away from a fight. We have had to scratch and claw for everything that we have earned this season. We are appreciative about being in the playoffs and we are excited about our opportunity coming up. Our team will be ready to go Friday night.”

The winner of the Van/Center game will meet the winner of the Nov. 13 matchup between Sunnyvale and Van Alstyne in the Area round of the Class 4A, Division 2, playoffs at a time and place yet to be determined.

For results of the Van/Center bi-district playoff game Nov. 14, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.