Vandals looking to bounce back on the road against Sunnyvale Friday, Sept. 19
DAVID BARBER
Following a difficult 56-49 loss on the road at Lindale Sept. 12, the Van Vandals are now faced for the first time this season with seeing how they will respond following a defeat.
The schedule does not get any easier for the Vandals as they will again be traveling when Van (2-1) visits Sunnyvale for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Sept. 19 against the undefeated Sunnyvale Raiders (3-0).
The Vandals defeated Sunnyvale twice last season including a regular season meeting in Van last September for Homecoming and a thrilling come-from-behind 42-38 victory in the Class 4A, Division 2, state playoffs on Thanksgiving weekend in November which ended the season for the Raiders.
“I fully expect our players to respond in the right way after losing to Lindale as we prepare for Sunnyvale,” emphasized Vandal Head Football Coach Jared Moffatt. “That is what typically Van football teams have done. I have seen that in my 16 years in Van. Now, at the same time, it is a concern. It is a reality. I believe that our kids will be able put last week’s game behind them and move on. Our kids love to play football and compete. They are looking forward to their next opportunity to compete and play hard. They will be ready to play tough, fast, and physical. If we enter this week’s game at Sunnyvale with that type of mindset, I don’t believe we will have a hangover from the game against Lindale. This team will be ready to go Friday night.”
On the injury front, the Vandals will be without the services of linebacker Carter Admire, who will miss the game against Sunnyvale due to concussion symptoms.
Running back and cornerback Da’Quavion Williams is listed as ‘questionable’ for the Sunnyvale game as he suffered a sprained knee during fourth quarter action at Lindale last week.
“We have played three physical football games so far and we are about to play a fourth one Friday night in Sunnyvale,” pointed out Moffatt. “When you talk about Sunnyvale, you have to start with their junior quarterback. He played his entire sophomore season, and he was a much improved quarterback from the time we played last year in the regular season to when we faced him in the state playoffs. He was a different kid at the end of the season last year. I was, and still very impressed with him. He is a really good football player. He can throw and run. He is a competitor.
“They are big up front in their offensive line,” continued Moffatt. “They’ve got receivers that can catch the ball well. They have two really good running backs. Defensively, their front is the strength of their team. They have a safety back from last season that is really a good player. He also plays receiver on offense. They have a lot of kids back from last season. They are playing with a lot of confidence, and they play really hard. After last season, you know they are motivated to play Van at home Friday night. I am sure they have had this game circled on their calendars for quite some time. I have talked to our players about that. Sunnyvale will be a tough environment. We have to match their emotion and intensity level. We have to be the aggressor in this game.”
Moffatt said that the Raiders will be a ‘spread’ time that incorporates a lot of formations and a lot of motion in their offense.
Defensively, Sunnyvale will show a 4-1 ‘even front’ with two safeties. “They are well coached, and they believe in what they do,” emphasized Moffatt. “You can see that when you watch them on film. They have a kicker that can kick it through the end zone.”
When asked if he believed that the Vandals have any psychological advantage entering Friday night’s rematch having defeated Sunnyvale twice last season, Moffatt strongly responded, “Heck, no. It is hard to beat a team twice in one season. They will be motivated because they lost to us twice. What happened last year has no effect on this year’s game. We are two completely different football teams. They have more players back from last year than we do. I know that Sunnyvale will be locked in for this game. They are not going to be flat at home against us. We have to match that intensity. We have to turn the page after losing to Lindale last week. This is going to be a highly competitive game.”
Sunnyvale is the defending District 6-4A, Division 2, champion. Their competition in district play will again be Canton, Wills Point, Quinlan Ford, Ferris, and Kemp.
Following their trip to Sunnyvale, the Vandals will have their Homecoming game Friday, Sept. 26, at Van’s Memorial Stadium against one of their rivals, the Brownsboro Bears, in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff to close out their non-district schedule. Van will enjoy a bye week following their Homecoming game.
The Vandal freshmen and junior varsity teams will host Sunnyvale Thursday, Sept. 18, at Van’s Memorial Stadium starting with the freshmen game at 5 p.m. followed by the J.V. game at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Van’s junior high football teams will be playing at Sunnyvale Thursday, Sept. 18 starting at 4:30 p.m.
For results of the Van/Sunnyvale varsity game Sept. 19 as well as a preview of the Homecoming contest Sept. 26 against Brownsboro, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.