DAVID BARBER

davidb@vanzandtnews.com

While the calendar shows that the start of the Class 4A, Division 2, state football playoffs gets underway during the second weekend in November, it will be a playoff-type atmosphere for the Van Vandals and the Bullard Panthers in Bullard Friday, Nov. 4 in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals are currently 5-4 overall and 3-2 in District 8-4A, Division 2, heading into Bullard while the Panthers enter the regular season and district finale with records of 3-6 overall and 2-3 in district play.

The other two regular season and district finales Nov. 4 feature the Rusk Eagles (6-3, 3-2) visiting the Canton Eagles (3-6, 1-4) while the Center Roughriders (6-3, 3-2) travel to Brownsboro to take on the Brownsboro Bears (2-7, 0-5).

The Carthage Bulldogs (10-0, 6-0), currently ranked number one in the state in Class 4A, Division 2, have a bye week before entering the Class 4A, Division 2, state football playoffs next week.

The Vandals are currently in a three-way tie with Rusk and Center for second place at 3-2 in the district.

If Rusk and Center both win Nov. 4, the winner of the Van/Bullard matchup will earn the fourth and final playoff seed in the district based on head-to-head point differential matchups involving Rusk and Center while the loser of the game will see their 2022 season come to an end.

Carthage, Rusk, and Center have already secured their positions for post-season play. Only playoff seeding would be affected if either Rusk and/or Center lose their regular season and district finales Nov. 4.

If Van, Rusk, and Center all win Nov. 4, the three teams will end in a tie for second place with the Vandals claiming the number four playoff seed resulting in a Class 4A, Division 2, bi-district matchup against the District 7-4A, Division 2, champions, the Gilmer Buckeyes, currently ranked number two in the state in Class 4A, Division 2, behind the undefeated Carthage Bulldogs. The bi-district matchup with Gilmer is tentatively set for Tyler Friday, Nov. 11.

In addition to Gilmer, the other playoff teams coming from District 7-4A, Division 2, are expected to be Texarkana Pleasant Grove, Liberty-Eylau, and Pittsburg.

Carthage claimed the District 8-4A, Division 2, championship Oct. 28 with a 41-15 victory over the Vandals at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

“We just need to take care of our business at Bullard Nov. 4,” emphasized Moffatt. “If we don’t beat Bullard, we don’t deserve to go to the playoffs.”

The Vandal head coach has been impressed with the improvement of the Panthers throughout the 2022 season.

“What impresses me about Bullard is how hard their kids play on every down,” said Moffatt. “Their record is 3-6. They beat Canton, Brownsboro, and Mineola. Bullard has gotten better as the season has gone on. They were ahead of Rusk early in that game before losing by 12 points.

“Bullard is dangerous offensively,” continued Moffatt. “The QB is a good player. He can extend some plays with his scrambling ability, and he throws the ball well. They have two good receivers who have made big plays for them. Their running back is running hard. They have scored some points on a number of opponents, especially lately. They have given up some points as well. Their defense is physical, and they run hard to the football. Bullard is very well coached. We must play well to have a chance to win.”

The Panthers are a ‘spread team’ offensively running exclusively out of the ‘shotgun’ formation, according to Moffatt.

“We must play well in the secondary and we must put pressure on their quarterback,” summarized Moffatt.

Defensively, the Panthers were showing an ‘even-front’ at the beginning of the season but as the season has gone on, they have shown more multiple looks including an ‘odd-front.’

On the injury front, the Vandals welcomed back the services of junior defensive lineman Logan Fattig to the lineup against Carthage after he suffered a broken collarbone on Homecoming night against Lindale Sept. 9.

“We think there is a great chance that we will get our offensive tackle, Jose Suarez, back in the lineup against Bullard,” said Moffatt. Suarez has been out with a broken leg suffered in the Chapel Hill game Sept. 2.

The final sub-varsity games of the season will be played Thursday, Nov. 3, when the Vandal freshmen and junior varsity squads host Bullard at Van’s Memorial Stadium with the freshmen game kicking off at 5 p.m. followed by the J. V. contest around 6:45 p.m.

Van’s junior high football teams will close out their 2022 seasons Nov. 3 when they travel to Bullard with the action starting at 4:30 p.m.

For results of the Van/Bullard game and a potential bi-district playoff game next week for the Vandals, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.