Vandals Lose Quarterback Tyler Sharpe To Knee Injury

The injury news for the Van Vandals went from bad to worse after Friday night’s 40-28 loss to the Palestine Wildcats.

Vandal head coach Brady Pennington confirmed Monday morning that starting senior quarterback Tyler Sharpe is more than likely out for the season after suffering a torn MCL ligament and a torn ACL ligament in his knee during fourth quarter action at Palestine.

"Tyler is a tremendous leader for us on and off the football field," summarized Pennington. "The knee injury is very unfortunate."

Junior Michael Gates, who served as the junior varsity quarterback last season and has been seeing playing time at wide receiver this season, took over the QB duties in the fourth quarter Friday night after Sharpe was injured.

Tori Parsons, the leading receiver for the Vandals in 2009, is being shifted to QB this week, according to the Vandal head coach.

Pennington declined to name a starter for this Friday night’s contest at Mabank but he added that both Gates and Parsons will see plenty of action this week.

"Michael has had some shoulder issues that he is battling through right now," said Pennington. "Tori is a good athlete. Right now, we are in an experimental mode so far as the quarterback position is concerned."

The Vandal head coach said that there will be adjustments to the offense as a result of Sharpe’s injury but he is confident that his team will respond in a positive manner.

"Tyler is the reason we were using the spread offense," said Pennington. "I know that our team is going to draw closer and will be more committed to achieving our goals for this season."

Sharpe is the third player that the Vandals have lost to a season-ending knee injury.

Sophomore middle linebacker Skyler Cotton went down in the season opener against Grand Saline and offensive lineman Chris Leiser injured his knee the following week against Rusk.

Pennington and his coaching staff met with the players Monday morning to discuss what lies ahead for the remainder of the 2009 campaign.

"I basically asked our players if we were just going to lay down and feel sorry for ourselves or are we going to do whatever it takes to fight for the integrity of our football program," said Pennington. "Knowing my coaches and our players like I do, I know that we are going to continue to come out fighting and continue to give a great effort every time we step out on the football field."

The schedule does not get any easier for the Vandals as they will face two major challenges to close out their non-district schedule.

Van, 2-1 for the season, travels to Mabank for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday against the undefeated Mabank Panthers, 2-0.

Mabank is coming off an unscheduled open date as their contest against the Kemp Yellowjackets Friday night was cancelled due to lightning.

The Panthers opened their season with victories over Kaufman and Athens.

Defensively, the Panthers operate out of a 3-3 stack alignment, according to Pennington.

"Mabank stunts a lot on defense," said Pennington. "They are probably the best defense that we have faced since we played against Prosper in the playoffs last season."

Offensively, the Panthers will operate out of the spread formation.

"They have a strong offensive line and they have big receivers," said the Vandal head coach. "They are very well coached and they will present quite a challenge."

Other Vandals on the injury report for this week include running back Chase Rabe (foot), RB Matt Broadbent (ankle) and wide receiver Cody Daniels (ankle).

All three players are listed as "questionable" for this week’s contest at Mabank.

The Vandals will return home Friday, September 25 for their final non-district contest against the Spring Hill Panthers.