Vandals Outlast Canton, 24-14,

CANTON—Ball control and field position proved to be the difference Friday night as the Van Vandals moved one step closer to a possible District 14-3A championship.

Van remained on top of the district standings as they outlasted their Van Zandt County rival, the Canton Eagles 24-14 at Canton’s Birdwell Stadium.

The Vandals moved to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in district play as they will host the Eustace Bulldogs (5-4, 3-1) Friday at 7:30 p.m. in a contest that will decide the district title in the final game to be played at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

Eustace eased past the winless Wills Point Tigers 41-30 at Eustace Friday night.

Van and Eustace are assured of positions in the upcoming Class 3-A state playoffs regardless of Friday night’s outcome.

Canton (5-4, 2-2) will close out its regular season schedule at Kemp Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the Kemp Yellowjackets in a game that will determine third place and the final playoff position in District 14-3A.

Kemp (4-5, 2-2) won a thrilling 24-21 decision over the Mineola Yellowjackets Friday night in Mineola.

In the Van/Canton encounter, the Eagles received the opening kickoff and on their first play from scrimmage, Eagle quarterback Chance Wallace connected with receiver Roy Denbow on a 25-yard pass completion giving Canton a first down at the Eagle 42 but Canton was later forced to punt.

Following a Vandal punt, the Eagles got on the scoreboard first as they moved 65 yards in three plays.

Running back Alex Williams (six carries, 84 yards) ended the march by racing 56 yards for a touchdown. Jonathan Huddle kicked the extra point to give Canton a 7-0 lead with 8:23 remaining in the first quarter.

Van rallied by moving 67 yards on 10 consecutive carries to tie the game.

QB Tyler Sharpe ended the drive with a 1-yard QB sneak. Blake Pennington added the extra point to tie the contest at 7-7 with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter.

Key plays in the initial Vandal scoring drive included running gains of 14 yards by Sharpe and 18 yards by RB Chase Rabe.

A bad 16-yard punt by the Eagles gave the Vandals excellent field position at the Canton 48.

Six plays later, including a 19-yard run by Rabe, the Vandals were faced with fourth down and three at the Eagle 22.

Pennington was sent in to attempt a 39-yard field goal but the kick was wide left keeping the score deadlocked.

Another bad punt, this time a 20-yard effort, gave the Vandals good field position again at the Eagle 39.

Five plays later, Rabe (26 carries, 175 yards, two TD’s) broke the tie with a 3-yard TD run. Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a 14-7 lead with 7:31 remaining in the second quarter.

A 26-yard pass completion from Sharpe to receiver Damon Hightower opened the drive for the Vandals.

Canton came right back as they moved from its own 27 to the Vandal 28 in eight plays including pass completions from Wallace covering 25 and 16 yards to receiver Trent Termin and a 10 yard run by Williams.

On fourth down and seven at the Vandal 28, Wallace’s attempted pass to receiver Grant Franklin was incomplete.

It turned out to be the first of four different Eagle possessions that ended on a fourth down play.

Following a Vandal punt, the Eagles moved from their own 38 to the Vandal 47 in three plays but on first down, Wallace’s pass was intercepted by Van defensive back James Whatley at the Vandal 31 allowing Van to run out the first half clock.

Van was stopped on its opening possession of the third quarter forcing a punting situation at the Vandal 41.

Vandal punter Sharpe fielded a low snap with his knee touching the ground as he received the ball.

The official ruled that Sharpe was down at the Vandal 28 giving Canton excellent field position.

Van’s defense registered two QB sacks in the next three plays resulting in losses totaling 17 yards forcing an Eagle punt.

Following another Vandal punt, the Eagles took over again on Van’s end of the field at the 47.

On fourth down and seven at the Van 44, Wallace’s pass attempt to Termin fell incomplete.

Van turned the ball over to Canton on the next play as Sharpe’s pass was intercepted by Eagle cornerback Tanner Smith at the Canton 37.

Six plays later, the Eagles faced fourth down and three at the Vandal 45 but fullback Zack Cummings was stopped after a two-yard run to give the Vandals possession.

Eight plays later, including running gains of 18 and 13 yards by Rabe, the Vandals moved as deep as the Eagle 15.

Facing fourth down and five, Pennington was called in to attempt a 31-yard FG.

Pennington drilled the kick to extend Van’s lead to 17-7 with 10:03 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Canton moved from its own 21 to the 35 overcoming two offensive penalties (holding and unsportsmanlike conduct) to set up fourth down and 12. Wallace’s pass attempt, under a heavy pass rush, fell incomplete.

Van needed three running plays by Rabe to put the game out of reach.

Rabe ended the short drive with a 1-yard TD run. Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a 24-7 lead with 7:24 to play in the game.

The Vandal RB registered a 35-yard run in the TD drive.

Canton showed no signs of giving up as the Eagles moved 68 yards in 14 plays to cut the Vandal lead.

Wallace ended the march by connecting with Termin (seven receptions, 77 yards) on a 6-yard TD pass play. Huddle added the extra point as the Eagles closed within 10 points, 24-14, with 3:24 remaining.

A 20-yard pass completion from Wallace to Termin opened the final Eagle scoring march.

The Eagles attempted an onside kick but Tye Hughes of the Vandals recovered the attempt at midfield.

Van then executed seven straight running plays including gains of 12 yards by Sharpe and two 11-yard efforts by reserve RB John Dike to run out the clock with the Vandals having possession at the Eagle 9-yard line.