DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

There are only three undefeated teams left in the race for the District 8-4A, Division 2, championship and none have yet to face each other but that will change Friday, Oct. 13, when the Van Vandals host the Center Rough Riders in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals are on a five-game winning streak as they enter the district showdown with an overall mark of 6-1 and a district record of 3-0 while the Rough Riders come into Van with a 5-1 season record and a 2-0 mark in district play.

The Class 4A, Division 2, defending state champions and currently the number one ranked team in the state, the Carthage Bulldogs, are undefeated overall at 7-0 and are 3-0 in district action.

The Vandals are coming off a 35-3 win over the Rusk Eagles (3-3, 0-2) in Rusk Oct. 6 while Center enjoyed an open date.

The Rough Riders have scored 359 points in six games for an average of nearly 60 points per game. In only one game this season have they failed to score as many as 57 points in a contest.

Defensively, Center has given up 246 points for an average of 41 points per game. In district action, Center has outscored its opponents, 133-85.

Van has registered 234 points in seven games for an average of almost 34 points per game and has given up 144 points for an average of 24 points per game.

In their district games, Van has outscored their opponents, 112-13. The Vandals have not allowed an opponent to score a touchdown in their last two district games.

“To be 3-0 in district is exactly where we wanted to be at this point and we have done that,” pointed out Vandal Head Coach Jared Moffatt. “We have taken care of our business to this point and because of that, undoubtedly, we are now facing our three biggest games of the season coming up starting with a home game against Center Oct. 13. These next three games will determine number one, if we make the playoffs, and number 2, who we will play in bi-district.

“Center is undefeated in district,” continued Moffatt. “Following our bye week Oct. 20, we will travel to Carthage Oct. 27 to face the undefeated Carthage Bulldogs and then, we face Bullard at home Nov. 3. We cannot look ahead. Our focus right now is on Center. This game against Center is the most important game of the season right now. We will continue to need to have contributions from a number of players moving forward playing at a high level. If we can do that against Center, we can play with them.”

Moffatt shared that kicker Aiden Moore had surgery on his knee Oct. 6 on his plant leg, and his status for the remainder of the season is not yet known.

Josh Christian, who has been kicking extra points and Alex Aceves, who has been handling kickoff duties since district play started Sept. 22 will continue doing those jobs moving forward, according to the Vandal head coach.

“Offensively, Center will spread you out and their receivers line up in such wide splits,” pointed out Moffatt. “The quarterback and the running back are Division 1 college prospects. Their running back has more rushing yards than anyone else in East Texas. He has 1,400 rushing yards in six games. Their QB is a great player as well. He is a tremendous athlete.

“We played Chapel Hill’s QB earlier in the season and I think this kid at Center throws the ball better,” said Moffatt. “He throws a great deep ball. He has a strong arm, but he can also run past you. Those two guys together are real similar to the QB/RB duo that we faced at Chapel Hill. I am highly impressed with those two guys. Their ability and their scheme presents lots of problems. It will be a challenge for us. In last year’s game, we did not play very well at all on either side of the ball. That will have to change when we play them Friday night.

“Defensively, Center is well coached, and they play hard,” emphasized Moffatt. “They will change their fronts and their coverages. They will not show you the same look twice. Yes, they have given up some points but a lot of their points they have given up were in the second half when the game was already decided. They are an extremely confident football team. Their only loss this season was to a team from Louisiana early in the season. I am glad we will get them at home this season. We must play well in all three phases for us to have a chance against them. It should be a great football game with a great atmosphere.”

With Center coming off a bye week before meeting the Vandals and Van playing at Rusk Oct. 6, Moffatt does not see a real advantage for either team.

In addition to Van’s 35-3 win at Rusk Oct. 6, Brownsboro upset Bullard, 34-28, and Carthage blew out Canton, 50-0 in other District 8-4A, Division 2, results.

Other District 8-4A, Division 2, matchups Oct 13 in addition to the Van/Center showdown will have the Canton Eagles (2-5, 0-3) traveling to Bullard to take on the Bullard Panthers (4-2, 0-2) while Carthage will host the Rusk Eagles (3-3, 0-2). Brownsboro (5-2, 1-2) will enjoy an open date.

The sub-varsity schedule Thursday, Oct. 12 will have the Vandal freshmen and junior varsity teams traveling to Center with the freshmen game beginning at 5 p.m. and the junior high teams hosting Center at Van’s Memorial Stadium starting at 4:30 p.m.

Following their crucial district game at home against Center, the Vandals will enjoy a bye week before returning to action Friday, Oct. 27 at Carthage.

For results of the Van/Center game and a preview of the open date period coming up for the Vandals, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.