DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

After enjoying a break from the normal football season routine last week, it is back to work for the Van Vandals as they prepare for their biggest game of the 2023 campaign when they will travel to Carthage Oct. 27 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against the defending Class 4A, District 2, state champion and current #1-ranked team in the state, the Carthage Bulldogs.

The Vandals and the Bulldogs will be playing for the District 8-4A, Division 2, championship as both teams are already assured of competing in post-season play either as a district champion or as a district runner-up.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals enter the marquee matchup with an overall record of 7-1 and a district mark of 4-0 as they will carry a six-game winning streak at Carthage.

Following their meeting with the Bulldogs, the Vandals will end their regular season schedule at home Nov. 3 against the Bullard Panthers.

The undefeated Bulldogs are 9-0 overall and 5-0 in district play as they will close out their regular season schedule against the Vandals before enjoying their open date prior to beginning defense of their state championship in the upcoming Class 4A, Division 2, playoffs.

Before commenting on the district championship clash against Carthage, Moffatt looked back at what his team got accomplished during their time off last week.

“One of the things we were able to get accomplished was just to take a break and allow the players to get healthy,” pointed out Moffatt. “After playing eight games, we needed a break. One thing we had to work around during our time off was the schedule at school. The kids were out of school Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday last week for Fall Break. We lost a little bit of time that we would have practiced but we moved that day to Monday so we could get in some work. We worked on Carthage some last week and then the players and the coaches were able to get a little break from one another, which was good.

“People forget that during the football season, I am probably spending more time with our players than their parents do,” emphasized Moffatt. “We are around the kids a lot and they are around the coaches a lot. During the season, our coaches are working seven days a week. Just to have the opportunity not to work seven days a week and to get away from the kids for a little bit last week was good for everyone. All of us were able to get in a little bit of rest.”

Moffatt then turned his attention to Carthage as the Bulldogs were coming off a 73-27 trouncing of the Center Rough Riders Oct. 20 in Center.

“Carthage made their three-pointers in that game,” said the Vandal head coach jokingly. “What makes them special is that they are the same every season. This will be our fourth time to play them in the last six years. They graduate good players and they have been able to replace those good players with more good players. They do a tremendous job of coaching in all three phases of the game.

“Their defensive coordinator has been there as long as the head coach has been there, which has been around 16 years,” emphasized Moffatt. “They do a great job. They have really good players. This 16-year run that they are in currently is as good as any run in the State of Texas. They have maintained a high level of success over an extended period of time. This year’s team is no exception.” Carthage has won nine state championships in the past 15 seasons.

“So far as their team this year is concerned, the defense for Carthage rarely gives up more than two touchdowns in a game,” said Moffatt. “Kilgore scored three offensive touchdowns against them. Since that game, nobody has scored more than two touchdowns against them except for Center. They have two great defensive tackles that are juniors this year. They are physical and quick off the ball. We have played some good defensive linemen this season but these two are the best that we have faced so far.

“They have another junior that is playing both ways in the line,” said Moffatt. “Their two linebackers are probably as good, if not better, than anyone we have played. Their defensive front is impressive. They are also good in the secondary. I have always been highly impressed with what Carthage does on defense with their scheme and their good players.

“Offensively, the quarterback is a sophomore and is the head coach’s son,” continued the Vandal head coach. “He is getting better every week. He throws the ball well. I have been real impressed with him. He has played nine games now, so he is really not a sophomore anymore. He is a player now. Their receivers can make plays and their running backs are talented. Their kicker can kick the ball into the end zone.

“The weakness I see in their team is their punting but that is because they rarely punt,” pointed out Moffatt. “They will go for the first down on fourth down from their own territory. They have such confidence in their offense and their defense. I have a ton of respect for Carthage for what they have done over the years and what they have accomplished this season.

“This game will be a tremendous challenge for us, but our kids are looking forward to the challenge,” emphasized Moffatt. “They are excited for this opportunity. We have taken care of our business up to this point. We would love to go over there and beat those guys and come home as district champions. Our team has one mindset every week and that is to show up and get after who we are playing on that Friday night with the intent on winning the game. That will not change at Carthage this week.

“Our kids are highly respectful of them, and they are excited about the opportunity to play against them,” continued Moffatt. “Carthage is the best team we have played so far this season, no doubt about that. This is the kind of game you want to play in, a district championship on the line in Week 9 of the season. There is a lot to be excited about.”

According to Moffatt, Carthage will show both an ‘even front’ and an ‘odd front’ defensively. “In the secondary, they are mostly a two-safety defense,” said the Vandal head coach. “They don’t typically play a lot of man defense. They will blitz. They play great defense, and they will make you earn everything you get. Offensively, they will show multiple looks with a lot of different formations. They will show a lot of motions and shifts as well. They like to throw the ball downfield and take a number of deep shots. They are really good at what they do, and they are tough to defend.”

Moffatt shared that his son and starting quarterback, Jaxon Moffatt, will be back in the lineup against Carthage after suffering a concussion in the first quarter of their Oct. 13 win at home over Center. The junior QB missed the remainder of the game against the Rough Riders.

“The bye week for all of us came at a good time, especially for Jaxon,” said Jared Moffatt. “If we had a game last week, he would have played. Not playing last week could only help Jaxon in getting ready for this week’s game at Carthage.”

Jared Moffatt also believes that the Bulldogs will be ready to play well against the Vandals as Carthage will be having ‘Senior Night’ for their final home game of 2023.

“We come into this game with a 7-1 record, and we are running the football well,” pointed out the Vandal head coach. “I know that their defense will be highly motivated to stop our running attack. I think the start of this game will be highly emotional. Our guys will be ready to play as well. We just need to withstand that opening seven or eight minutes and settle into the game. If we can do that and make some plays, we can stay in the game. We need to be in the game in the fourth quarter to compete with a great program like Carthage. We know what is ahead of us and our guys do not shy away from a challenge. This has a chance to be a great football game Friday night.”

In addition to the Van/Carthage showdown, the other District 8-4A, Division 2, games Oct. 27 will have Rusk traveling to Brownsboro and Bullard hosting Center with Canton having the open date.

Van’s sub-varsity teams also return to action Thursday, Oct. 26, as the junior high teams will travel to Carthage with the action beginning at 4 p.m.

The Vandal freshmen and junior varsity teams will host Carthage at Van’s Memorial Stadium Oct. 26 with the freshmen game starting at 5 p.m. followed by the J.V. contest.

For the results of the Van/Carthage game as well as a preview of the regular season and home season finale Nov. 3 against Bullard, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.