Vandals Roll Over Rusk, 42-8
VAN—A dominating defensive effort and big plays in the passing game led the Van Vandals to second consecutive one-sided victory Friday night as they grounded the Rusk Eagles 42-8 at the new Van Memorial Stadium.
After outscoring their first two opponents 95-20 in their new facility, the Vandals now prepare for their first road trip of 2009.
Coach Brady Pennington’s Vandals, 2-0, will visit Palestine for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against the Palestine Wildcats. (See related story in this issue.)
Against Rusk, the Vandal defense held the Eagles to six first downs and 77 total yards in addition to forcing five fumbles, three recovered by Van.
Vandal senior nose tackle Jacoby Alexander turned in one of the more impressive individual performances against Rusk
Alexander finished the game with 16 tackles including four for losses, six solo tackles, one quarterback sack and one caused fumble.
"Jacoby’s performance against Rusk was simply unbelievable," recalled Pennington.
Junior defensive end Corey Fuller recovered three fumbles, had five tackles and one QB sack.
Offensively, Van QB Tyler Sharpe completed 10 out of 10 passes for 242 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Vandals also had two receivers go over 100 yards in receptions including Michael Terry (four receptions, 127 yards, two TD’s) and Tori Parsons (four receptions, 101 yards, one TD).
"We had a big night throwing the football," said Pennington. "Rusk continually showed seven defenders in the box and we felt like the best to attack that defensive look was to throw the football. At times, we had some problems with pass protection but I thought overall, we did a good job with our passing game."
Kicker Brad Bogue made all six of his extra point attempts.
Van received the opening kickoff and moved from its own 25 to the Rusk 48 in five plays including a defensive pass interference penalty against the Eagles and a 14-yard run by running back Chase Rabe.
The initial drive ended with a turnover on second down and eight when Sharpe’s pass was intercepted by Eagle defensive back Michael Katon at the Rusk 37.
Following an Eagle punt, the Vandals got on the scoreboard as Sharpe connected with Terry on a 77-yard wide receiver screen pass play for a TD on second down and 12. Bogue added the extra point giving the Vandals a 7-0 lead with 8:10 to play in the first quarter.
Rusk moved from its own 26 to the Vandal 35 in four plays including a face mask penalty against Van and a 17-yard run by Eagle RB Marcell Johnson.
Facing fourth down and 12 at the Vandal 37, QB Trey Thrash connected with Johnson on a screen pass but the play gained eight yards giving the Vandals possession at the Van 29.
Two plays later, on second down and four, Sharpe fired a pass downfield to Parsons for a 65-yard TD pass play. Bogue added the extra point to give the Vandals a 14-0 advantage with 3:45 remaining in the first quarter.
The two teams then exchanged punts before the Eagles suffered a turnover setting up the next Vandal score.
With excellent field position at the Vandal 40 on first down, Johnson fumbled with Van defensive tackle Demond Dean recovering the ball at the Vandal 41.
Van then moved 59 yards in five plays to extend its lead.
RB Terry ended the march with a 2-yard TD run on fourth down and goal. Bogue kicked the extra point to give the Vandals a 21-0 lead with 5:53 remaining in the second quarter. Key plays in the scoring drive included running gains of 14 and 11 yards by Sharpe and a 29-yard pass completion from Sharpe to Parsons.
The Eagles moved from their own 28 to the Vandal 44 in six plays including a 15-yard run by RB Michael Derrett and a 19-yard run by Johnson.
Rusk saw its drive end on fourth down and six when Thrash was sacked for a nine-yard loss giving the Vandals good field position at the Eagle 47.
On second down and 13, Sharpe connected with Terry on a 50-yard TD pass play. Bogue added the extra point to give the Vandals a comfortable 28-0 advantage with 1:45 remaining before halftime.
The Eagles suffered another turnover three plays later as a fumble by Thrash was recovered by Vandal defensive end Corey Fuller at the Rusk 33 with 32 seconds to play before halftime.
The Vandals ran one play gaining two yards and allowed the first half clock to expire.
Following a Rusk punt early in the third quarter, the Vandals had the ball in Eagle territory at the 43 but three plays later, Sharpe’s pass was intercepted by Eagle linebacker Demario Richards at the Rusk 25.
On the next play, the Eagles gave the ball right back as a fumble by Derrett was recovered by Fuller of the Vandals at the Eagle 35.
A total of 12 running plays later, Terry ended the time-consuming march with a 4-yard TD run. Bogue added the extra point giving the Vandals a commanding 35-0 lead with 2:31 remaining in the third quarter.
Following another Eagle punt, the Vandals moved 75 yards in 11 plays (nine running) to finish out their scoring.
Sharpe finished off the drive with a 9-yard TD run. Bogue added the extra point to give the Vandals a 42-0 lead with 7:50 to play in the fourth quarter. Key plays in the final scoring drive included runnings gains of 21 and 12 yards by reserve RB John Dike and 14-yard run by reserve RB Amadou Diallo.
Rusk muffed the ensuing kickoff as Fuller recovered the loose ball for the Vandals at the Eagle 25.
On the next play, reserve QB Gates fumbled for the Vandals and Richards picked up the ball for Rusk and raced 65 yards untouched for an Eagle TD. Following a pass interference penalty against the Vandals, the Eagles had a second chance at the two-point conversion and it was successful as Johnson ran into the end zone to cut the Vandal lead to 42-8 with 7:31 remaining.
The two teams exchanged punts before the Vandals ran out the clock.
Pennington also recognized the efforts of the following players against Rusk:
Junior offensive left tackle Tim Moore, senior center Devon Pickard, senior defensive lineman Ryan Wigley and senior defensive back Tye Hughes (six tackles).