PREVIEW: Van Eyes 3-0 as Matchup with Lindale Looms

Van Vandals (2-0)

vs.

Lindale Eagles (1-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Eagle Stadium, Lindale

Coaches

• Van: Jared Moffatt
• Lindale: Chris Cochran

Last week

• Van: def. Princeton 48-34 
• Lindale: def. Forney 30-17 

Next week

• Van: vs. Palestine, Sept. 22
• Lindale: vs. Terrell, Sept. 22

Playmakers

Van

• QB Garrett Moseley, Sr., 5-11, 190
• OL Kris Dike, Sr., 6-6, 275 (Committed to TCU)
• LB Jake Kellam, Sr., 6-0, 210
• OL Caleb York, Sr., 5-10, 250
• WR/DB Bray Doring, Jr., 5-11, 155
• DL Tristan Gentry, Jr., 5-9, 170
• DB Zeke Betancourt, Sr., 5-9, 160

Lindale

• RB Jordan Robinson, Sr., 5-10, 185
• WR Colton Brown, Jr., 6-0, 185
• DL Ty McDaniel, Sr., 5-9, 220
• QB Dillon Heinaman, Jr., 6-0, 225
• DB Kolin McCartney, Sr., 5-9, 180
• DB Chase Crumpton, Jr., 6-0, 167

Just the facts

• Since 2004, Lindale owns an 8-3 record against Van.
• However, the Vandals won the most recent matchup in dominating fashion. They took down the Eagles 56-14 last season.
• Van QB Garrett Moseley was the Offensive Player of the Week in Week 2. He had 506 yards (337 passing, 169 rushing) and four total touchdowns against Princeton.
• Van came back from 27 down in its game in Week 2 after Moseley engineered six consecutive scoring drives.
• Lindale also had a comeback victory in Week 2, scoring 16 straight points to close the game and secure the victory.
• The Eagles forced three turnovers in their victory.
• Jordan Robinson rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns for Lindale this past Friday.

Key matchup: Garrett Moseley against the Lindale defense. Moseley was terrific last week, not only putting up big numbers but also leading a massive comeback effort. An offensive line that includes TCU commit Kris Dike and senior Caleb York allowed Moseley plenty of time to make his decisions. Slowing him down will prove difficult, but this Lindale defense appears ready for the challenge.

The Eagles forced three turnovers in their win against Forney this past week. Although two of those were fumbles, but Chase Crumpton also had an interception in the second half. Lindale held Forney quarterback Devon Rideaux to 135 yards. The competition is stiffer this week, but the Eagles have already proved they are capable.

Whichever team wins this battle, could be the victor.

Don't be surprised if: Van wins handily again. Even though they are the smaller team, the    Vandals have an array of talent. They lost star receivers Isaiah Allred and Connor Houston as well as Safety Cooper Bledsoe, the ETSN.fm Defensive Player of the Year, but still retain 11 starters from last season.

Through two games this season, the offense has showed no signs of slowing down. Van put up 55 and 48 points, respectively, in its first two games. That's an average of 51.5 points. There doesn't seem to be anything stopping the Vandals, and that won;t change this week.

Defensively, they were a bit suspect last week, surrendering 34 points. However, it should be noted they held Princeton to seven in the second half. In Week 1 against Mineola, the Vandals gave up only 15 points.

Lindale came out with a win against 5A Forney last Friday, but lost to 4A Kaufman the week before. The game won't be as lopsided as last season, as Van lost too many key playmakers. However, the Vandals should win without any issues.