DAVID BARBER

davidb@vanzandtnews.com

With the return of a number of lettermen including seven starters on offense and five starters on defense, the Van Vandals are ready to meet the challenges of a new season in 2024 which includes participating in a new district campaign.

Vandal Head Football Coach Jared Moffatt returns for his 15th season leading the Vandal program as he will welcome 20 returning lettermen for the opening of pre-season practices Monday, Aug. 5.

“It has been a pretty routine off-season for us from the time we ended our 2023 season to now,” pointed out Moffatt, who has a 117-48 career coaching record with the Vandals. “We hit the off-season hard in January. The kids always work so extremely hard. They have put in a lot of time on and off the field. While Aug. 5 may be considered the official start of the new season, these guys have been getting ready for quite a long time. We are ready to get started and we are looking forward to the new season coming up.”

The Vandals are coming off an 8-4 overall record in 2023 that included a Class 4A, Division 2, Bi-District championship victory over Spring Hill before being eliminated in the Area round of the state playoffs by Aubrey.

Van graduated 19 lettermen from their 2023 squad that included offensive linemen Jose Suarez, a four-year start and District Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year, and Ace Bostick, a three-year starter and an Honorable Mention All-State selection. Both players are now continuing their football careers at Blinn Junior College.

Also missing from last season’s team were free safety/running back Cannon Rainey, defensive lineman/running back Colton Miller, and defensive linemen Tuff Arozemena and Logan Fattig.

Key returning players for the Vandals in 2024 include senior three-year starting quarterback Jaxon Moffatt, son of the Vandal head football coach. (1,897 yards passing and 15 touchdown passes; 659 yards rushing and nine TD’s rushing).

“It is a luxury having a three-year starter at quarterback returning,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “While our offensive schemes are the same, our personnel that we have on the team this year has forced us to think more about how to utilize our personnel this season. There will be a lot of responsibility on Jaxon moving forward. He has played a lot of football games. We will be showing some different looks offensively this season.

Backing up Jaxon Moffatt will be junior Ryder Savage (6-5, 220), who was the junior varsity QB last season. Savage can also play tight end.

“Ryder will be used in a lot of different ways this season,” said Jared Moffatt. “We feel really good about Ryder. Sophomore Rawley Hinch will be our J. V. QB this season and we feel really good about him as well. He also plays varsity basketball and varsity baseball. We have three guys at QB that can win football games for us. I feel really good overall about our QB position.”

Senior Austin Moffatt, twin brother of Jaxon Moffatt, returns at running back/wide receiver for the Vandals after finishing the 2023 season with 910 yards rushing and four touchdowns in addition to catching 21 passes for 326 yards and three TD’s.

“In the past several years, we went into the season not knowing who our RB was going to be,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “I thought Austin played really well last season. He was more effective than we anticipated. I was worried about his size. He runs bigger than he is. He is a really good receiver out of the backfield.”

Also seeing playing time at RB will be senior Chris Fabian and junior Da’Quavian Williams.

“Chris was a really good running back on J. V. last season when we brought him up and he continued to do a good job on the varsity team as well,” said Jared Moffatt. “Chris is a different type of RB than Austin is. Chris is a bigger RB. Da’Quavian Williams started last season on the varsity before going to the J. V. team. He has some ability. We will see where he lands. Linebacker Wyatt Dale could see some time running the football. Our strong safety, Cade Christensen, could also see some playing time at RB.”

Jared Moffatt said that the Vandals will bring back their ‘Bull’ formation in 2024 which is their short yardage, goal-line offensive alignment featuring multiple RB’s.

“We have a couple of ideas about who will line up in that personnel package,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “We will just have to wait and see.”

So far as the receiving position is concerned, senior and three-year starter Caden Rowe (41 receptions, 735 yards, seven TD’s in 2023) returns at outside receiver.

Another three-year starter, senior Easton Hinch (25 receptions, 353 yards, three TD’s in 2023) returns at receiver.

“We feel very confident in those two receivers,” said Jared Moffatt. “Blaise Lineberry, a junior, is a good outside receiver. He can stretch the field with his speed. Junior Connor Ammons and junior Gunnar Stanford will be competing for playing time at receiver as well. At the ‘slot’ position, we are looking at juniors Cason Sieja and Aiden Willis. They both have some real ability.

When he is not playing QB, the 6-5, 220-pound Savage will be looked upon as an offensive weapon at the tight end position, according to the Vandals head coach.

“We haven’t had a true TE in the 14 years that I have been here at Van,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “There was a year I coached a TE on the Denton Ryan J. V. We really don’t know yet what Ryder can do for us at that position. He has worked really hard, and he really wants to play. How do you coach 6-5? We are real intriqued by him.”

On the offensive line, senior Cooper Hullum, a three-year starter returns at left tackle for the Vandals.

Senior center Justus Anderson also returns. “Having your center back is like having your QB back,” said Jared Moffatt. “It just makes you feel better as a head coach. That is a calming feeling.”

Junior Collier Bryant, who can play both guard and center, is being looked upon as the starting right guard.

The starting left guard is projected to be junior Carter Broyles. Junior Landon Robinson is scheduled to be the starting right tackle.

“Collier, Carter, and Landon all played well on the J. V. in the OL last season, and we feel really good about what they can bring to the varsity level,” said Jared Moffatt. “We will have another good offensive line this season.” Senior Noah Sahagun is expected to fill the sixth offensive lineman spot for the Vandals.

Defensively, in the secondary, senior Cade Christensen (120 tackles and five pass breakups in 2023) returns at strong safety. Easton Hinch returns at one starting cornerback position.

“There will be a battle for playing time at the free safety position,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “Sophomore Ian Hopson could end up playing at that spot. He can really run.”

Lineberry is competing for playing time at the other CB position along with Williams.

At linebacker, Dale returns along with senior Landon Smith, who missed his junior year with ‘Tommy John’ surgery. Battling for playing time at ‘Rover’ is sophomore Boston Blalock.

The defensive line is where the Vandals will see the most changes from the 2023 season, according to the Vandal head coach.

Senior Foster Rust, a first-team All-District LB last season, is being moved from LB to defensive end. Senior Maeson Ray is also scheduled to see playing time at DE in addition to junior Adam Beall.

At defensive tackle, junior Armando Lozano and senior Josh Christian return. Sophomore Tiler Williams and junior Evan Pickerell, a move-in from Leander, are projected to see playing time at DT as well.

“Going into this season, the defensive line position is our biggest question mark,” emphasized Jared Moffatt.

Kicking specialists for the Vandals in 2024 includes the return of Rowe as the punter.

Senior Aiden Moore, Willis, and Christian are competing for the field goal, kickoff, and extra point kicking duties.

Bryant, senior Jackson Reed, and Savage are battling for the deep snapping position. Austin Moffatt will be the holder for the kicker.

Kickoff and punt returners will come from a group that includes Austin Moffatt, Fabian, and Easton Hinch.

The Vandals will open their 2024 regular season and non-district with back-to-back road games at Dallas Carter Friday, Aug. 30, and Longview Pine Tree Friday, Sept. 6.

Van’s home opener will be against their long-time rival, Lindale, Friday, Sept. 13 in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff followed by their annual Homecoming game against Sunnyvale Friday, Sept. 20.

The Vandals will close out their non-district slate with a trip to another long-time rival, Brownsboro, Friday, Sept. 27, before enjoying an open date on their schedule Friday, Oct. 4.

“Our non-district schedule is as tough as always,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “All of these teams can beat you. Dallas Carter beat Sulphur Springs last season by 14 points in the second round of the playoffs. Their QB is a phenomenal player. Our games against Pine Tree have always been tough. Their QB returns. They beat Texas High in district play last season in Class 5A. Lindale is always a great rivalry game. That game has turned into one of my favorite games because the crowd is always into that game. It is a playoff-type atmosphere. We are both very familiar with each other. It is always a great game. Coach Cochran and his staff always do a great job at Lindale. Sunnyvale was in the playoffs last season with 8-9 sophomores starting. They will have a new head coach this season with their former head coach retiring. Brownsboro is another rivalry game for us. There is a real small margin for error against these teams.”

Following their bye week, the Vandals enter a new District 7-4A, Division 2, that features Class 4A, Division 2, defending state champion Gilmer, and Texarkana Pleasant Grove, which also made a deep run in last year’s state playoffs.

Other teams in District 7-4A, Division 2, include Pittsburg, Longview Spring Hill, and Paris North Lamar.

“Gilmer is the defending state champion,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “They beat Carthage in the fourth round of the playoffs last season. Gilmer peaked at the right time last season. Their coach does a great job. They have a lot of kids back. They are not without ability. Texarkana Pleasant Grove beat Gilmer handily in district play last season. Texarkana Pleasant Grove always has good players. We are somewhat familiar with Pittsburg. We played some tough games several years ago against them. I was really impressed with Longview Spring Hill from the time we scrimmaged them to the time we faced them in the playoffs last season. I am probably least familiar with Paris North Lamar. They will have a new head coach this season. Their former head coach is now the new offensive coordinator at Pittsburg.

“You don’t want to finish fourth in this district, otherwise, you are more than likely facing Carthage in the first round of the state playoffs this season,” stressed Jared Moffatt. “There is really no margin for error in all 10 of our football games in 2024. We don’t concede defeat to anyone. We will go toe-to-toe with anyone, and we will show up. All of these teams that we are playing are going to be tough to beat.”

The Vandals will open district play at home against Longview Spring Hill Friday, Oct. 11 before traveling to Gilmer Friday, Oct. 18.

Van will host Pittsburg Friday, Oct. 25, and Paris North Lamar Friday, Nov. 1, before closing out their district and regular season schedule at Texarkana Pleasant Grove Friday, Nov. 8.

The Vandal head coach discussed the challenges of playing Gilmer and Texarkana Pleasant Grove on the road this season.

“You know that when you play teams of that caliber, teams that have won state championships with highly athletic players that are well coached, when you put that combination together, those teams are tough to beat,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “In order to beat those guys, we have to be at our best. If we turn the ball the over, we are going to lose. We have to play clean, protect the football, and capitalize on any opportunities that you have. If all of those things can come together on the same night, if we can just hang around, we can go out and beat those guys.”

Members of the 2024 Vandal football coaching staff include the following:

Jaron Rainey, defensive coordinator; Matt Young and Zac Bryant, offensive coordinators; Robby Parish, defensive backs; Adam Shaw, cornerbacks; Brett Doring, wide receivers; Clayton Haltom, defensive ends; Desmond Oliver, defensive tackles; Blayne Rowe, running backs; Red Jones, wide receivers; Cole Harms, H-backs and tight ends; Austin Flemming, freshmen coach, and Jason Dodd, trainer.

Junior high coaches include Justin Stanfield, Cason Chaney, Ryan Hinch, and Josef Ruiz.

Jared Moffatt discussed his coaching staff for the 2024 season. “We have been really fortunate here in Van,” said the Vandal head coach. “Some of our coaches have been in Van a long time and they do a great job. Coach (Jaron) Rainey has been calling the defense here for a long time. Nobody plays any better team defense than we do. We are well coached, very sound, and we play hard and very physical. Coach Rainey and the defensive staff will always put our guys in position to be successful. We have had more turnover on our offensive staff recently. Coach Zac Bryant does a great job coaching the offensive line. We are lucky to have him here. Coach Young is in his third year on the staff. Brett Doring played here and has been on the coaching staff for three years. We have a few new guys on the coaching staff.”

As Jared Moffatt enters his 15th season as the Vandal head football coach, he shared his thoughts on remaining at the same school during that time.

Only Mal Fowler (26 seasons total over two different time periods) has served as Van’s head football coach longer than Jared Moffatt.

“It is hard to put into words what it means to be in a place like Van for 15 years,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “I never necessarily expected to be in Van for 15 years, and not that I didn’t, not that I planned to here and leave fast, but 15 years is a long time to be at one place serving as a head football coach. You look around at the people who have been the head football coach longer than I have at one school in East Texas, there have not been many. John King at Longview, Coach Surratt at Carthage, I think he has been there for 16 years, are two names that I can think of right now. That is the nature of the profession. People come and go for all sorts of different reasons. My four boys have all grown up here.

“My oldest son, Jayton, came home for the weekend recently and we were driving around town and he said, ‘Good Old Van. I love coming home. This is home to me,” recalled Jared Moffatt. “I told him that it meant a lot to me to hear him say that. A lot of the reasons that we have stayed here is because of the boys. The twins came here when they were four years old. This is the only school that they have ever attended. They started kindergarten in Van, and they are going to graduate from Van High School next May. I have been the head football coach here all of those years. That is unique to be in a place that long in this position. Van is home to all four of my kids.

“We did not stay here just because the boys were happy,” pointed out Jared Moffatt. “We stayed here because Van is a great community with a great school system. When Mr. Witte (former Van ISD Superintendent Jodie Witte) hired me, he told me that he stayed in Van through those years because Van is a unique place. There is a close and unique relationship between the school district and the local churches here. That makes Van special. There are great people here. The people are hard-working, blue-collar, and you put all of that together along with the stability of the community, this is a special place.

“In all of my years at Van, I have never seen our school board go crazy and we have never had a crazy school board member, and that is rare,” emphasized Jared Moffatt. “This is such a good stable place. We have our problems certainly, but there are so many good things about being in Van. We are fortunate to be here. I still enjoy coming to work every day, and being around our coaches and our players. I remember my Dad coming to all of our games through the years until he passed. He was able to see all of his grandkids play here.”

With his twins entering their senior season at VHS, Jared Moffatt talked about the opportunity he has had to coach all four of his sons in Van.

“I do know that it will be a tough year,” said Jared Moffatt. “This will be a year of ‘lasts’ for me. I have had my kids come through here and that senior year is their last. The twins just had their ‘last’ first practice of the season here. They will be playing in their last Homecoming game and their last ‘Senior Night’ game. One of my kids has been on the varsity football team playing for me for each of the past seven seasons. Next year, when I walk out on the practice field and I don’t have a kid playing for me, that will feel really different. Yes, this will be an emotional year for me.”