DAVID BARBER

Sports Correspondent

With their open date and a highly anticipated district contest against Carthage at home on the horizon, the Van Vandals will need to try to keep their focus on the present when they travel to Center to take on the dangerous Center Roughriders in an important District 8-4A, Division 2, matchup with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14.

When Coach Jared Moffatt’s Vandals arrive in Center, located 19 miles from the Louisiana border, they will bring an overall record of 5-2 but more importantly, a 3-0 record in district play tied with the number one, state-ranked, Carthage Bulldogs for first place in the district race.

The Roughriders are 4-2 overall and 1-1 in district play after having an open date Oct. 7 giving them two weeks to prepare for the Vandals. Center is coming off a tough 40-35 loss on the road at Rusk Sept. 30.

Van had a come-from-behind 28-19 victory at home against the Rusk Eagles (4-2, 1-1) Oct. 7 after trailing 19-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Center, who was 1-9 last season, is significantly improved, especially on the offensive side of the ball, according to Moffatt.

“They are really talented on offense,” pointed out Moffatt. “They are a spread team. They use an H-back and three wide receivers a lot. I would compare them offensively to Chapel Hill. Their quarterback is a junior and is a great player. He made a lot of plays last year when we played them for Homecoming. I am impressed with him. He throws the ball well down the field and he can really run. He presents a lot of problems. Center has a number of receivers who are making plays. One of their receivers caught 14 passes against us last year and he is back for his senior year. They have great speed. Their running back is a good football player as well and he is a physical runner. They will present a tremendous challenge for our defense.

“Defensively, they are an odd-front team,” continued the Vandal head coach. “They will bring more pressure on our quarterback that almost anyone else we have played against this season. They play a lot of man coverage. This is a huge game for both teams in terms of playoffs.”

On the injury front, the Vandals lost the services of their leading receiver, sophomore Caden Rowe, who will be out for the season after suffering a broken leg in the first half against Rusk. Rowe caught two passes for 112 yards against Rusk when he was injured.

Without Rowe, Moffatt discussed the status of the receiving core for the Vandals moving forward. “We have a little bit of flexibility at that position,” pointed out Moffatt. “Easton Hinch has played quite a bit of outside receiver. Austin Johnson has seen action at that position as well. Gabriel Bachert is going to get some more work at receiver. All of these players will need to contribute. All of our players at all positions will need to play a little bit better. We have had kids step up and make plays for us and that has to continue.”

Moffatt is anticipating the return of junior offensive lineman Jose Suarez (broken leg) and junior linebacker Logan Fattig (broken collarbone) to the Vandal lineup after being out for the past several weeks for the game against Carthage at home on Friday, Oct. 28 following their open date.

“The mentality and the toughness of our players, their willingness to play hard with some pain, who are willing to battle, is so impressive to me and our coaching staff,” emphasized Moffatt. “They are just warriors. We are finding ways to win games.”

In other District 8-4A, Division 2, results Oct. 7, Carthage shutout the Canton Eagles (2-5, 0-3), 49-0, in Carthage while the Bullard Panthers surprised the Brownsboro Bears, 35-34, in Bullard.

Current district standings show that Van and Carthage are each 3-0 followed by Rusk, Center, and Bullard, all at 1-1, while Canton and Brownsboro are each at 0-3.

In addition to the Van/Center matchup Oct. 14, Canton will host Bullard for Homecoming while Carthage will visit Rusk. Brownsboro will have an open date.

Following their road trip to Center Oct. 14, the Vandals will enjoy an open date on Oct. 21 before returning to action in their regular season home finale Oct. 28 against Carthage. Van will close out its 2022 regular season schedule at Bullard on Nov. 4.

The Vandal freshmen and junior varsity teams will be hosting Center Thursday, Oct. 13 at Van’s Memorial Stadium with the freshmen game starting at 5 p.m. followed by the J. V. contest at approximately 6:45 p.m.

Van’s junior high football teams will be traveling to Center Thursday, Oct. 13 with the action beginning at 4:30 p.m.

For results of the Van/Center game as well as the Vandals’ schedule during their upcoming open date, check out www.vanzandtnews.com.