Aphonso Thomas + Van Run Away from Palestine, 45-14

VAN -- Aphonso Thomas rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns to carry Van to a 45-14 rout of Palestine on Friday at Van Memorial Stadium.

The Nebraska commit scored twice on the ground and the other by reception. His 50-yard touchdown run with 7:52 left in the third quarter kick-started a streak of 24 unanswered points scored by the Vandals (1-0) to close the game.

Freshman Tyler Gray carried Palestine (0-1) offensively, completed 12 of 20 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown, a 30-yarder to Devonte Mims to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter.

Mims finished with four catches for 67 yards.

Irric Deyon helped Palestine cut Van's lead to 21-14 in the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run that capped an 87-yard drive, but that was the last points the Wildcats would put on the board.

Van quarterback Garrett Mosley accounted for 169 total yards with two touchdown passes and a rushing score.