Palestine Wildcats (2-1)

vs.

Van Vandals (3-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Van Memorial Stadium, Van

Coaches

  • Palestine: Robby Clark
  • Van: Jared Moffatt

Last week

Next week

  • Palestine: vs. Kilgore, Sept. 29
  • Van: at Crandall, Sept. 29

Playmakers

Palestine

  • TE/DL T.J. Dever, Jr., 6-3, 218 (9 catches, 154 yards, 2 TDs)
  • WR/DB Josh Williams, Jr. (33 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 blocked field goal)
  • ATH Tyler Gray, Jr., 5-7, 155
  • DL Tra'vell Bryant, Sr., 5-11, 225
  • LB Roderick Deyon, Sr., 5-9, 180 (30 tackles 2 for loss, INT)
  • OL Deonundre Hatton, Sr., 6-0, 214
  • DL Jakobe Pursley, Sr. (15 tackles, 1 for loss)
  • DL Waylon Nickerson, Sr. (1.5 sacks)

Van

  • QB Garrett Moseley, Sr., 5-11, 190 (774 passing yards, 458 rushing yards, 15 total TDs)
  • OL Kris Dike, Sr., 6-6, 275 (Committed to TCU)
  • LB Jake Kellam, Sr., 6-0, 210 (14 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks)
  • OL Caleb York, Sr., 5-10, 250
  • WR/DB Bray Doring, Jr., 5-11, 155 (7 catches 186 yards, 3 TDs)
  • WR Elijah Rankine, So., 5-10, 150 (9 catches 208 yards, 4 TDs)
  • DL Tristan Gentry, Jr., 5-9, 170 (13 tackles, 1 for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble)
  • DB Zeke Betancourt, Sr., 5-9, 160

Just the facts

  • Van's Garrett Moseley is the only player to be in the top 10 of two offensive categories for East Texas (passing and rushing).
  • Van is 7-1 against Palestine since 2008.
  • The Vandals won last year's contest 38-21.
  • Moseley passed for six touchdowns this past week in a win against Lindale.
  • Palestine is putting up almost 200 yards rushing per game.
Palestine LB Roderick Deyon. (© Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Palestine LB Roderick Deyon. (© Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
loading...

Key matchup: Palestine defense slowing down Moseley. Moseley won't be completely stopped, but Palestine has to do something if it wants to win. The Wildcats defense isn't too shabby. Josh Williams and Roderick Deyon have combined for 63 tackle (6 for loss). If they want to slow down Moseley, they're going to have to get in the backfield more this week.

On the other hand, Moseley is completely capable of making a defense feel inadequate. He torched Lindale for six touchdowns last week. He is one of the best all-around offensive players in the region. If the Wildcats aren't careful, he will make them look silly quickly.

Don't be surprised if: Van runs away with it. The Vandals are good this year, especially on offense. I simply don't see Palestine being able to slow them down at all. Moseley has a great group of receivers to throw to.

On top of that, the Vandals' defense is a stalwart, too. It slipped up against Princeton, but looked crisp last week against Lindale and in Week 1 against Mineola. I don't see Palestine being able to keep up in this one.

More From East Texas Sports Network