CLASS 4A DIVISION I
Area Playoff

Van Vandals (10-1)

vs.

Kennedale Wildcats (10-1)

noon Friday
Ford Center, Frisco

Coaches

  • Van: Jared Moffatt
  • Kennedale: Phil Castles

Last week

Next week

  • Winner faces either Midlothian Heritage or Crandall, regional semifinals

Playmakers

Van

  • QB Garrett Moseley, Sr., 5-11, 190 (136-of-224, 2,291 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, 5 INTs; 164 carries, 1,344 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs)
  • OL Kris Dike, Sr., 6-6, 275 (Committed to TCU)
  • LB Jake Kellam, Sr., 6-0, 210 (62 tackles, 9 TFL, 4 sacks)
  • OL Caleb York, Sr., 5-10, 250
  • WR/DB Bray Doring, Jr., 5-11, 155 (35 catches, 604 yards, 6 TDs)
  • WR Gus Brewer, Sr., 6-0 (44 catches, 795 yards, 8 TDs)
  • DL Tristan Gentry, Jr., 5-9, 170 (39 tackles, 4 for loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumble)
  • DB Zeke Betancourt, Sr., 5-9, 160 (17 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 PBUs)
  • DL Jayden Jacobs, So., 6-2, 195 (55 tackles, 12 for loss, 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 recovery, 6 PBUs)

Kennedale

  • QB Evan Jowers, Jr., 6-0, 190 (42-of-64, 783 yards, 10 TDs, 2 INTs; 62 carries, 425 yards, 7 TDs)
  • RB Jaden Knowles, Sr., 5-8, 175 (99 carries, 1,284 yards, 23 TDs)
  • RB De'Shaun Kirven, Jr., 5-7, 166 (111 carries, 1,300 yards, 23 TDs; 10 catches, 156 yards, 2 TDs)
  • DB Ector Rivera, Sr., 5-8 (97 tackles, 12 for loss, 1 sack)
  • DL Avion Jenkins, Sr., 6-0, 190 (60 tackles, 15 for loss, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles)
  • Jalen Myers, Jr., 5-7, 163 (61 tackles, 10 for loss, 3 sacks)
  • DB Devan Mason, Sr., 5-7, 160 (41 tackles, 5 INTs, 2 PBUs, 2 fumble recoveries)
  • DB JD Coffey, Fr., 6-0, 160 (53 tackles, 8 for loss, 1 sack, 4 INTs, 2 PBUs)

Just the facts

  • The cumulative record of Van's 2017 opponents is 47-65 (.420).
  • Van is scoring 44.3 points per game, and Garrett Moseley is leading the team with 44 touchdowns this season.
  • Four Vandals receivers have more than 400 yards this season. Gus Brewer leads the pack with 795 yards and eight touchdowns.
  • Van is allowing 24.8 points per game.
  • The cumulative record of Kennedale's 2017 opponents is 47-70 (.402).
  • Kennedale defeated East Texas teams Terrell (55-6) and Whitehouse (56-13) this season.
  • The Wildcats have an average margin of victory of 43.9 points per game.
  • Kennedale is putting up 379 yards rushing per game behind two 1,000-yard rushers in Jaden Knowles and De'Shaun Kirven.
Garrett Moseley on a QB Keeper
Garrett Moseley has put Van on his back this season. (© ETSN.fm)
loading...

Key matchup: Garrett Moseley against the Kennedale defense. Moseley has been the Vandals' rock this season. He has more than 3,500 yards combined rushing and passing and 44 total touchdowns. Simply put, the Van offense moves at his pace.

The Wildcats have enough offensive firepower to counter. However, slowing Moseley from his typical production would be almost guarantee a blowout. Moseley's 44 touchdowns give him 264 points. That alone is worth 54.2 percent of Vans scoring this season.

Kennedale has defenders up to the challenge. Defensive lineman Avion Jenkins leads the team with 15 tackles for loss and three sacks, while Jalen Myers adds three sacks of his own. If these two can team up to put pressure on Moseley and force him out of his comfort zone, it could be a long night for Van.

Either way, Van is going to need a career performance from Moseley to have a chance in this one.

Don't be surprised if: De'Shaun Kirven and Jaden Knowles each have 100 yards rushing. The two have done so four times this season.

Kennedale runs the ball plenty. The yards the Wildcats gain on the ground make up 83.5 percent of its offense. Kirven and Knowles have combined for 46 touchdowns this season. The game plan is clear heading into this one. Van will not be fooled, but whether it can stop it is another question altogether.

Expect Kirven and Knowles to run all over the field on Saturday.

More From East Texas Sports Network