DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

Although the Van Vandal varsity football team has been operating under the same head coach along with the same offensive and defensive system for the past 13 years does not mean that there won’t be a few new challenges facing the 2023 squad.

One of those challenges is replacing two experienced assistant coaches on the offensive side of the football as former co-offensive coordinators Sam Harvey and Scott Reynolds have moved on to other jobs.

Harvey is now the assistant principal at Van High School while Reynolds is currently serving as offensive coordinator at Class 6A Waxahachie.

“The off-season has been the standard around here but there have been some changes here and there,” said Vandal Head Coach Jared Moffatt, entering his 14th season as the leader of the Vandal football program. “For us, the off-season does not really change for the kids. They work really hard, they put in a lot of time, and they are highly committed. They are here in the summer. The kids that we have here in Van always give us a chance to win.

“We have lost two experienced coaches who were here in Van for 10 years each in Coach Harvey and Coach Reynolds,” pointed out Moffatt. “That is a big change so far as our coaching staff and our program is concerned. They were two of my favorite guys that I loved working with. Coach Harvey is such a good man. Coach Reynolds has a great opportunity for him at Waxahachie. We are excited for him, and I know he will do a great job.

“Having said that, we were very fortunate to have people already on the staff here that could step in and assume those roles that Coach Harvey and Coach Reynolds had,” emphasized Moffatt. “We have Coach Zac Bryant who coached the offensive line with Coach Harvey. Coach Bryant was coaching here during my first year at Van before going to East Texas Baptist University. He is a tremendous offensive line coach. We also have Matt Young on our staff who is coaching the wide receivers. Coach Young and I grew up together in Sulphur Springs. Our Dads coached together. Coach Young and I coached together at Denton Ryan. You could not really script a better scenario for this situation.”

Following the third August practice earlier this month for his team, Moffatt said, “The weather has not been quite as brutal as we were anticipating. This is August in Texas. We have been pretty fortunate. Our kids come in knowing a lot of what we are doing. Our practices have been pretty smooth. If we had to play a game Friday night, we would be ready to go.”

Moffatt, who has an overall coaching record at Van of 109-44, welcomed almost 120 players overall including over 40 freshmen to the opening day of August workouts.

The Vandal head coach discussed his offensive unit heading into the new season. With the departure of Harvey and Reynolds from the offensive coaching staff, Moffatt is assuming the responsibility of calling plays this season.

His son, junior Jaxon Moffatt, returns as the starting quarterback for the Vandals coming off a season in 2022 in which he threw for 1,827 yards, tossed 13 touchdown passes, and completed 60 percent of his throws.

“Jaxon played all 11 games for us as a sophomore last season,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “Jaxon got better as the season went along. As with anyone returning from last season, we expect Jaxon to play better this season. We feel confident that he will do that. You can’t replace experience and you can’t coach experience.”

Backing up Jaxon Moffatt will be senior Cannon Rainey, the son of Vandal defensive coordinator Jaron Rainey.

An area where Jared Moffatt said that the Vandals have a lot of experience is in the receiving group including the following:

‘X’ (outside) receiver: junior Caden Rowe and senior Austin Johnson.

‘Z’ (outside) receiver: junior Easton Hinch and senior Gabriel Bachert.

‘A’ (inside) receiver: juniors Asher Hawkins and Austin Moffatt, Jaxon’s twin brother.

‘Y’ (inside) receiver: seniors Luke Horton and Jackson Admire.

“Caden Rowe, Easton Hinch, Gabriel Bachert, and Austin Johnson all played outside receiver for us last season,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “Caden was having a tremendous season for us last year before he broke his leg against Rusk. He made a ton of plays for us. When Caden went down, Easton came in and made some big plays down the stretch. Austin Johnson made a big catch against Bullard to help win that game for us to get into the playoffs. Luke Horton and Jackson Admire played for us a lot last season. Asher Hawkins tore his ACL in last year’s Red/White scrimmage, and he is back this season. We are happy to have him back. Austin Moffatt is a slot receiver and a running back. We are working him out at both positions to see where he will fit in for us.

H-back: senior Colton Grier and junior Jackson Reed.

Left tackle: junior Cooper Hullum and senior Bruce Shaw.

Left guard: seniors Trae Derrick and Joe Ruiz.

Center: junior Justus Anderson and senior Ace Bostick.

Right guard: Bostick and junior Armando Lozano.

Right tackle: senior Jose Suarez and Shaw.

“Jose Suarez is back for his fourth season overall and his third season at right tackle,” said Jared Moffatt. “Jose missed seven games last season with a broken leg. He has had a great off-season. Ace Bostick is a three-year starter for us. He injured his elbow during the off-season so he will not be scrimmaging. Cooper Hullum played left tackle last season filling in for Jose Suarez. I feel real good about the guys we have in our offensive line. We have experienced, talented players.”

Running back: senior Colton Miller and junior Wyatt Dale. “This again will be running back by committee this season,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “DaQavius Williams is a sophomore who could see action there as well. He has a ton of ability, and he has great vision. Austin Moffatt is getting carries as well. All of those guys will be getting lots of carries during the scrimmages.”

Despite the changes on the offensive coaching staff, the Vandal head coach does not see a lot of philosophical differences with the offense moving forward.

“I have called the plays here before so when Coach Reynolds left, I decided that I would do that again,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “I will be coordinating the offense. Coach Reynolds called the plays here over the past three seasons. He and I thought a lot alike so far as calling plays and attacking defenses. There may be some differences, but our offensive philosophy will basically be the same. We will continue taking advantage of the personnel that we have, running and passing.”

Defensively, the Vandals have no changes on their coaching staff led by defensive coordinator Jaron Rainey.

“The mentality of our players always gives us a chance to win,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “Our coaches do a great job of teaching team defense.”

Left defensive end: seniors Logan Fattig and Shaw.

Left defensive tackle: senior Reggie Johnson and Lozano.

Right defensive tackle: junior Josh Christian and Reed.

Right defensive end: Miller and junior Easton Larey.

“We have Logan Fattig and Colton Miller back at defensive end,” said Jared Moffatt. “We expect those guys to play really well for us. Reggie Johnson is back. We will see who takes charge at the other defensive tackle position.”

‘Sam’ linebacker: Dale and Admire. “Wyatt Dale missed all of his sophomore season with a broken wrist and hand and he is back as a junior,” said Jared Moffatt. “We are excited to have him back.”

‘Mic’ linebacker: junior Foster Rust and senior Jake Campuzano. “Foster Rust played defensive tackle on our junior varsity team last season,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “He can run and make plays.”

‘Rover’: seniors Tuff Arozamena, Anthony Skitt, and Garrett Phillips. “Landon Smith played every down at ‘Rover’ as a sophomore last season, but he suffered a freak injury in the spring and tore a ligament in his elbow. He had to have Tommy John surgery and he will miss his junior season in 2023. Tuff Arozamena is moving from defensive end last season to ‘Rover.’ Anthony Skitt is a move-in from S&S Consolidated.

Left cornerback: Hinch and Rowe.

Free safety: Rainey and Horton.

‘Bandit’: juniors Cade Christensen and Hawkins.

Right cornerback: Bachert and Williams.

“This defensive group has more questions entering the season,” pointed out the Vandal head coach. “I feel real good about our defensive ends. I think we are going to get really good play out of Wyatt Dale. We have experienced players in our secondary. I think our defense will be well coached and I know we will play hard. I think we have a chance to be really good on defense.”

On special teams, Rowe is scheduled to be the punter for the Vandals. Junior Tristan Miller will handle the kicking duties. Phillips will serve as the deep snapper on extra points and field goals. Horton will take care of deep snapping on punts.

So far as the return specialists are concerned, Jared Moffatt is still searching for certain players to fill those roles. “We have a number of candidates,” summarized the Vandal head coach.

In preparations for their District 8-4A, Division 2, schedule, the Vandals have a challenging non-district schedule starting with the regular season opener Friday, Aug. 25 in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against the Class 5A Pine Tree Pirates at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

A couple of difficult road trips follow for the Vandals as they will travel to Chapel Hill for a meeting with the Chapel Hill Bulldogs Friday, Sept. 1 before visiting Lindale in a huge rivalry game against the Lindale Eagles Friday, Sept. 8.

The Vandals conclude their non-district schedule as they will host the Paris Wildcats for Homecoming Friday, Sept. 15.

“Our non-district schedule is always tough,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “Pine Tree is entering their second season with their head coach. They finished last season strong. They are an athletic team. They have some really talented players, including one of the best defensive tackles, not only in the state, but in the nation, when you look at who is recruiting him.

“We played well and beat Chapel Hill here last season and they went on to advance to the state semifinals,” continued Jared Moffatt. “Their quarterback and their running back are as good as they come. They have a number of kids who have been offered college scholarships. I am sure they will be motivated to play us after what happened in our game last year.

“Coach Cochran at Lindale has done a great job there,” said Jared Moffatt. “They have a great program. Anytime they lose players, they just plug in more good players. They are in the same district with Kilgore and Chapel Hill.

“We did not play well at Paris last year,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “Paris always has talent and speed. We were 2-2 against those teams last year. None of those games are easy.”

The Vandals finished third in District 8-4A, Division 2, last season behind state champion Carthage and Center in the district race.

Van will begin district competition against another old rival, the Brownsboro Bears, on the road in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Sept. 22 before returning home to face their Van Zandt County rival, the Canton Eagles, Friday, Sept. 29.

Jared Moffatt’s team will travel to Rusk to take on the Rusk Eagles Friday, Oct. 6, before hosting Center Friday, Oct. 13.

Following their open date Friday, Oct. 20, the Vandals visit the defending Class 4A, Division 2, state champions, the Carthage Bulldogs, Friday, Oct. 27, before closing out their 2023 district and regular season schedule against the Bullard Panthers, Friday, Nov. 3, at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

“Carthage has won nine state championships in the past 15 years,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “It is amazing what they have been able to accomplish. I have a ton of respect for their program. That is an unprecedented run. They will be tough for anybody to beat.

“Center was the second-place team last season,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “Their QB and RB return. They are not without talent again this season.

“Rusk, Canton, Brownsboro and Bullard will be better,” said Jared Moffatt. “Bullard’s QB returns. I thought he played well last season. Brownsboro has a couple of Division I college prospects. They have to replace their QB but there is a lot of talent on that team overall. Canton’s QB was a sophomore last season and he played really well toward the end of the season. Coach Ragle is in his second year at Canton. Rusk lost some good players from last season including their QB, but I am hearing that they have good players coming in, especially a move-in QB. This is going to be a tough district again this season.”

The Vandal head coach also discussed the strength of the district from top to bottom this season compared to 2022.

“I see the strength of the district overall being similar to last season,” said Jared Moffatt. “Everybody in our district has questions entering the season and how those questions are answered will go a long way in determining who makes the state playoffs out of our district. There are unknowns that have to be factored in as well. We have to show up and play well every Friday night. The margin for error is pretty thin.”

Members of the Vandal coaching staff for the 2023 season working under Jared Moffatt will be as follows:

Jaron Rainey, defensive coordinator and linebackers; Robby Parish, safeties; Adam Shaw, cornerbacks; Desmond Oliver, defensive line; and Clay Haltom, outside linebackers; Zac Bryant, offensive line; Brett Doring, running backs; Matt Young and Ethan Robinson, wide receivers; and Ryan Hinch, H-backs.

“Our entire defensive coaching staff is back this season, and they all do a great job,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “Our players on defense will be well coached and will do their job. That is why we will play good team defense.

“Offensively, we lost two coaches who were a huge part of our staff and our program,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “With the guys that we still have on our offensive staff, we are set up to have the best situation possible moving forward. We are very fortunate.

“We have a great coaching staff overall,” summarized the Vandal head coach. “I tell our kids all the time that they are being coached by one of the best coaching staffs in the state of Texas. This community is fortunate to have these individuals here in Van. They are good coaches, but more importantly, they are good people as well.”