Vandals preparing for home opener against a talented Chapel Hill squad Friday, Sept. 2
DAVID BARBER
After a successful beginning to their 2022 regular season campaign, a new challenge awaits the Van Vandals in their home opener when they take on last season’s Class 4A, Division 1, state semifinalists, the Chapel Hill Bulldogs, in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Sept. 2, at Van’s Memorial Stadium.
Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals are coming off an impressive 28-14 road victory over the Class 5A Pine Tree Pirates in Longview Aug. 26 while the Bulldogs dropped a 50-27 decision at home against the Gilmer Buckeyes Aug. 26 that featured a mind-boggling eight turnovers by Chapel Hill.
“If people just look at the score last Friday night, people might think that Gilmer is pretty good and Chapel Hill must not be so good,” warned Moffatt. “The first thing that you would notice from that game is that Chapel Hill had eight turnovers. Three of those turnovers occurred inside their own 20. You don’t win when that happens. They also had some snap issues throughout the game with their sophomore center. The amazing thing is that Chapel Hill had six turnovers at the end of the third quarter and only trailed by 10 points.
“Chapel Hill is a really talented football team,” continued Moffatt. “They were picked number two or number three in the state pre-season in Class 4A, Division 1. They were in the state semifinals last year with a lot of people back offensively. Their quarterback was a freshman last year on that state semifinal team. He is back and he will be a much better player as a sophomore. They also had a freshman running back last year that is back for his sophomore season. Both of their slot receivers are back from last year’s team. Chapel Hill can score from anywhere on the field. Their skill guys on offense are really good. I am not sure we will play against a better group of skill players this season.
“Defensively, they are big up front and well coached,” said Moffatt. “Their defense played well against Gilmer and kept them in the game as Chapel Hill was struggling with their turnovers. We will find out where we are after this game Friday night (Sept. 2).
The Bulldogs are favored to win the District 9-4A, Division I, title this season according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine as they are in the same district with Kilgore, Lindale, Palestine, Henderson, Jacksonville, and Athens. Van will host Lindale Friday, Sept. 9.
Chapel Hill has 10 offensive starters and four defensive starters returning from their state semifinalist team of 2021.
Moffatt said that his team is excited to be playing in their home opener against a quality opponent Sept. 2.
“I am excited, and I know that our kids are excited about playing in this game,” summarized Moffatt. “This is a game that a lot of people will be talking about. We are probably not going to be picked to win. I know this for sure. We will show up. Our kids will play extremely hard. This is tremendous competition we are playing against, and we are excited about this opportunity. It should be a great atmosphere for high school football Friday night in our stadium.”
Offensively, the Bulldogs are a ‘spread’ team that likes to run a lot of four-receiver sets, according to the Vandal head coach.
“They have a big offensive line,” said Moffatt. “They are dangerous offensively. Their receivers can take a three-yard pass and turn it into a 90-yard TD real fast. We have to get to the ball defensively and not miss tackles. It will be a long night if we don’t tackle well.”
Defensively, Chapel Hill is an ‘even-front’ team, according to Moffatt. “They don’t use multiple fronts, but they are well coached in what they do. It will be a war Friday night (Sept. 2).”
On the injury front, the Vandals received some bad news as senior Justin Gregory, a move-in from Bullard last year, suffered a season-ending knee injury after recovering from an injury to his other knee suffered last year while a member of Van’s junior varsity team.
“This is so disheartening for Justin,” said Moffatt. “He went through rehab after suffering a season-ending knee injury while playing on our JV team last season and on the fourth play of his senior season at Pine Tree suffered a season-ending injury to his other knee. I just hate that for him. This is just terrible.”
The freshmen and junior varsity games between the Vandals and the Bulldogs will be played Thursday, Sept. 1 at Chapel Hill with the freshmen game starting at 5 p.m. followed by the J. V. contest at approximately 6:45 p.m.
For results of the home opener against Chapel Hill Sept. 2 and a preview of the Sept. 9 Homecoming contest against the Lindale Eagles, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.