DAVID BARBER

davidb@vanzandtnews.com

With the return of a number of lettermen including seven starters on offense and five starters on defense, the Van Vandals are ready to meet the challenges of a new season in 2024 which includes participating in a new district campaign.

Vandal Head Football Coach Jared Moffatt returns for his 15th season leading the Vandal program as he will welcome 20 returning lettermen for the opening of pre-season practices Monday, Aug. 5.

“It has been a pretty routine off-season for us from the time we ended our 2023 season to now,” pointed out Moffatt. “We hit the off-season hard in January. The kids always work so extremely hard. They have put in a lot of time on and off the field. Monday may be considered the official start of the new season, but these guys have been getting ready for quite a long time. We are ready to get started and we are looking forward to the new season coming up.”

Moffatt is anticipating possibly as many players reporting for the first day of practice Monday that he has ever had in his 15 seasons at Van.

“We are looking at possibly 144 kids in our four top grades reporting on Monday,” emphasized Moffatt. “We are anticipating over 50 freshmen reporting. I can only remember having as many as 50 freshmen one other year since I have been here. We have good numbers this year.”

The Vandals are coming off an 8-4 overall record in 2023 that included a Class 4A, Division 2, Bi-District championship victory over Spring Hill before being eliminated in the Area round of the state playoffs by Aubrey.

Van graduated 19 lettermen from their 2023 squad that included offensive linemen Jose Suarez, a four-year start and District Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year, and Ace Bostick, a three-year starter and an Honorable Mention All-State selection. Both players are now continuing their football careers at Blinn Junior College.

Also missing from last season’s team were free safety/running back Cannon Rainey, defensive lineman/running back Colton Miller, and defensive linemen Tuff Arozemena and Logan Fattig.

Key returning players for the Vandals in 2024 include senior three-year starting quarterback Jaxon Moffatt (1,897 yards passing and 15 touchdown passes; 659 yards rushing and nine TD’s rushing).

Also returning are senior wide receiver Caden Rowe (41 receptions, 735 yards, seven TD’s), senior WR/cornerback two-way starter Easton Hinch (25 receptions, 353 yards receiving, three TD’s; and 43 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups), senior strong safety Cade Christiansen (120 tackles, five pass breakups), senior RB/WR Austin Moffatt, who is Jaxon’s twin brother, (910 yards rushing, four TD’s; and 21 receptions for 326 yards and three TD’s), senior linebacker/defensive lineman Foster Rust (First Team All-District LB), senior center Justus Anderson; and senior left offensive tackle Cooper Hullum, a three-year starter.

Other seniors expected to contribute for the Vandals in 2024 include WR/safety Asher Hawkins (12 receptions for 202 yards, one TD in two games before an injury ended his 2023 campaign). “He is a dynamic player with great ability,” said Jared Moffatt.

Other seniors returning include LB Wyatt Dale, a returning starter; LB Landon Smith, who started at outside linebacker as a sophomore and missed his junior year with an injury; defensive tackle Armando Lozano, a strong physical defensive lineman who played key snaps as a junior, according to Jared Moffatt; DL Josh Christian, an athletic DL with speed and quickness, according to the Vandal head coach; and RB/LB Chris Fabian, 24 carries for 147 yards and two TD’s in 2023.

Juniors expected to make an impact for the Vandals include offensive lineman Landon Robinson, who is strong and has a “huge upside,” according to Jared Moffatt; OL Collier Bryant, who can play guard and center; cornerback/WR Blaise Lineberry, who has “good speed,” according to Moffatt; QB/TE Ryder Savage, who is listed at 6-4 and 195 pounds; WR Cason Sieja; OL Carter Broyles; and RB/CB Da’Quavian Williams.

Sophomores expected to see their first varsity action for the Vandals include LB Carter Admire, OLB Boston Blaylock, WR Ian Hopson, and QB/DB Rawly Hinch.

“In 2023, the Vandals went 3-1 with a tough non-district schedule defeating Lindale, Pine Tree, and Paris,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “We had an overall 7-3 regular season record with a second-place finish in district behind Carthage, and we advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling to Aubrey. Last year’s team leaned heavily on a strong offensive line and defensive line throughout the season.”

Moffatt expressed anticipation and excitement as a new season approaches for his Vandal football team.

“Our offense returns seven starters including some other players who gained valuable experience,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “Jaxon Moffatt returns at quarterback for his third year, and he will be called upon to play at a high level throughout the season. His twin brother, Austin Moffatt, returns to the backfield beside him as the leading returning rusher with 910 yards and four touchdowns. Last year’s leading receiver, Caden Rowe, returns as does two-way starter, wide receiver/cornerback Easton Hinch. Both have started for three years.

“Cade Christiansen led the team in tackles last yar from his strong safety spot,” continued Jared Moffatt. “Linebacker Wyatt Dale is back for this third year of varsity football, and LB Landon Smith returns after missing his junior season with an injury. Both the offensive line and the defensive line lose key players off last year’s team and will look to reload with emerging players off junior varsity and freshmen teams that finished 10-0 and 9-1 respectively last season.”

Van will have three pre-season scrimmages including their annual Red/White intersquad scrimmage Friday, Aug. 9 at Van’s Memorial Stadium starting at approximately 7 p.m.

Their other two scrimmages will be at Corsicana Friday, Aug. 16 before returning home to take on Palestine Thursday, Aug. 22.

Van will open its 2024 regular season schedule at Dallas Carter Friday, Aug. 30 in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

After the trip to Dallas Carter, the Vandals will stay on the road as they will visit Pine Tree Sept. 6 before returning to Van’s Memorial Stadium for their home opener against long-time rival Lindale Sept. 13.

Van will host Sunnyvale Friday, Sept. 20 for Homecoming before closing out their non-district schedule against another long-time rival when they travel to Brownsboro Sept. 27 before enjoying an open date Friday, Oct. 4.

The Vandal head coach also discussed Van’s new district competition as District 7-4A, Division 2, includes defending Class 4A, Division 2, state champion Gilmer along with Texarkana Pleasant Grove, Spring Hill, Paris North Lamar, and Pittsburg.

Van will open District 7-4A, Division 2, play when they host Spring Hill in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Oct. 11.

The Vandals will travel to Gilmer Oct. 18 before hosting Pittsburg Oct. 25 and Paris North Lamar Oct. 1.

Van will close out their district and regular season schedule Oct. 8 at Texarkana Pleasant Grove.

“This district doesn’t get any easier as Carthage was traded for defending state champion Gilmer and Texarkana Pleasant Grove,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “Tough teams and schedules have become the norm for Van and this year is no exception. The Vandals will have to find ways to win some tough close football games in 2024. Our new district will provide some tough competition.”

Starting Monday, the Vandal freshmen will be practicing from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday while the varsity and junior varsity players will be working out beginning at 6:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesday, the varsity/JV practice will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Van’s annual Football Media Day is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9 at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

For more information about the Vandals throughout the 2024 varsity football season, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.