DAVID BARBER

davidb@vanzandtnews.com

After a close victory in their 2025 regular season opener, the Vandals welcome another competitive opponent into Van’s Memorial Stadium when the Longview Pine Tree Pirates arrive for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Sept. 5.

Pine Tree is coming off a disappointing home loss to Gilmer after suffering two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter to turn a close contest into a runaway victory at the end for Gilmer.

“Pine Tree graduated a lot of players from last year’s team just like we did, but I think Pine Tree lost more players than we did due to graduation,” recalled Vandal Head Football Coach Jared Moffatt. “They had plenty of question marks entering the season just like we did.”

The Vandals will be seeking revenge for a six-point loss, 36-30, at Pine Tree last season.

“Despite their losses to graduation, Pine Tree is better than what I was hoping they were going to be,” pointed out Moffatt. “Defensively, they were one of the best defensive teams that we faced last season. Looking at the video from their game against Gilmer last week, Pine Tree was down, 19-17, in the fourth quarter with the ball and driving. Pine Tree fumbled, and Gilmer ran it back for a touchdown. Pine Tree muffed the ensuing kickoff and Gilmer recovered before scoring again. Another one of Gilmer’s touchdowns came on a return of a blocked field goal. 

“I was impressed with Pine Tree looking at them on film,” continued Moffatt. “Defensively, they are playing hard. Offensively, they have a good running back and the quarterback was making some throws. They are a different team from last season. They are going to be a tough team to beat.”

Defensively, Moffatt said the Pirates will show an ‘even front’ but will shift to an ‘odd front’ from time to time.

“Their secondary will show us some different looks,” said the Vandal head coach. “They are playing with great effort defensively and flying to the football.”

Offensively, Pine Tree will mix things up showing a shotgun look at times but also show the ability to take the snap under center as well.

“They are running a lot of power plays,” emphasized Moffatt. “Their running back had a long touchdown run against Gilmer. He is a good player. We will have to find a way to contain him. They like to operate out of the shotgun and take shots down the field. They are a solid football team.”

Pine Tree is predicted to finish fourth in District 9-4A, Division 1, behind Kilgore, Chapel Hill, and Lindale, and in front of Henderson, Palestine, and Mabank, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine.

On the injury front, the Vandals will be without the services of senior wide receiver/defensive back Blaise Lineberry due to illness.

The status of senior wide receiver/defensive back Aiden Willis was ‘questionable’ due to a hip injury suffered in the regular season opener against Dallas Carter.

The sub-varsity schedule on Thursday, Sept. 4 will feature the opening games of the season for the Vandal junior high teams as they will host Pine Tree beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Van’s freshmen and junior varsity teams will visit Longview to take on Pine Tree Sept. 4 with the freshmen game beginning at 5 p.m. followed by the junior varsity contest at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Following their home game against Pine Tree, the Vandals will make their first road trip of the 2025 regular season when they visit their arch-rival, the Lindale Eagles, in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Sept. 12.

For results of the Sept. 5 contest against Pine Tree and a preview of Van’s road contest against Lindale Sept. 12, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.