Vandals Claim District Title, Rout Eustace 41-0

VAN—What a way to end the 62-year history of Van Memorial Stadium.

In what arguably was one of their most impressive team performances of the season, the Van Vandals sent a message early and often that they had no intentions of spoiling their perfect home record for 2008 as they bombed the Eustace Bulldogs 41-0 in the final game to be played at Van’s Memorial Stadium.

Van finished the regular season 9-1 overall and 5-0 in district play to claim the District 14-3A title.

The Vandals will now set their sights on postseason competition as they will take on the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards from District 13-3A in the opening round of the "Big School" division of the Class 3A state playoffs.

The Van/Lucas Lovejoy contest is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at Hanby Stadium in Mesquite. (See related story in this issue.)

Eustace, 5-5 overall and 3-2 in district play, will hope to regroup as they will take on the Nevada Community Braves Friday night in the "Small School" division of the Class 3A state playoffs.

In the Van/Eustace contest, the Vandals dominated the game statistically as well as on the scoreboard.

Van finished with 423 yards of total offense including 318 yards rushing while holding the Bulldogs to five first downs and 97 total yards, all rushing.

"It was an incredible way to end the regular season," recalled Vandal head coach Brady Pennington. "It was a storybook ending. We played all of our kids that suited up and we completely dominated the game. It was a great atmosphere Friday night and it was an emotional night as well."

The Vandals set the tone for the evening with their second offensive possession as they moved 78 yards in five plays to open the scoring.

Quarterback Tyler Sharpe ended the march with a 43-yard touchdown run. Blake Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a 7-0 lead with 4:29 remaining in the first quarter.

Key plays in the scoring march included a 21-yard pass completion from Sharpe to receiver James Whatley and a 13-yard run by Whatley.

Following a short Eustace punt, it took the Vandals one offensive play to extend their lead.

Running back Michael Terry (seven carries, 89 yards, two TD’s) raced 45 yards for a TD and Blake Pennington added the extra point to give Van a sudden 14-0 lead with 1:40 to play in the first quarter.

Following an exchange of punts, the Bulldogs picked up their initial first down on a Vandal face mask penalty giving Eustace possession at the Vandal 42.

Two plays later, the drive came to an end when QB Chris Compton’s pass on second down and eight was intercepted and returned to the Bulldog 49 by Van defensive back Addison Neal.

Following a 15-yard pass completion from Sharpe to receiver Tory Parsons, Whatley ran 34 yards for a TD. Blake Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a 21-0 advantage with 8:48 remaining in t

Fullback Tanis Cotton (four carries, 90 yards) ran 57 yards for a TD and Blake Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a commanding 28-0 lead with 6:48 to play in the second quarter.

Eustace suffered a turnover on its next possession as Compton fumbled on fourth down and five with Vandal middle linebacker Clayton Kendrick recovering the ball at the Bulldog 44.

Three plays later, including a 28 yard run by Cotton, the Vandals had a first down and goal at the Eustace 2-yard line when RB John Dike fumbled and Eustace cornerback Trevan Johnson recovered the ball at the Bulldog 3 allowing Eustace to run out the first half clock.

Van took the third quarter kickoff and moved 63 yards in seven plays to extend its advantage.

Terry ended the drive with a 9-yard TD run to give the Vandals a 34-0 lead with 8:59 remaining in the third quarter. Blake Pennington’s extra point attempt was wide left.

A 21-yard run by Terry and pass completions from Sharpe covering 21 yards to receiver Kendrick and 12 yards to tight end Joey McMinn were key plays in the Vandal TD drive.

The turnover bug bit the Bulldogs again on their first series of the second half.

After five straight running plays allowed the Bulldogs to move from their own 46 to the Vandal 41, Compton lost the ball after being tackled for a six-yard loss with Vandal cornerback Cotton recovering the ball at the Van 47.

Four plays later, reserve RB Wayne Finn ran 33 yards for a TD. Blake Pennington added the extra point to give the Vandals a 41-0 advantage with 3:43 remaining in the third quarter.

A 19-yard pass completion from Sharpe to Cotton set up Finn’s TD run.

Following another poor punt by the Bulldogs, the Vandals took over possession at the Eustace 47 but seven running plays later, the Bulldog defense stopped the Vandals.

Cotton was tackled for no gain on fourth down and two at the Bulldog 27 to end another potential Vandal scoring drive.

Following an exchange of punts, the Bulldogs moved from their own 35 to the Vandal 40 in four plays including a 20-yard run by Johnson.

The drive stalled on fourth down and five at the Vandal 40 when Johnson was stopped after a 4-yard run allowing the Vandals to run out the clock.

"It was one of our best team performances of the season," summarized Brady Pennington. "I really give a lot of credit to our players and coaches. Our reserves played outstanding and we were able to rest some of our kids in the second half."

The Vandal head coach recognized several individuals for their efforts against Eustace including the following:

Defensive linemen Jacoby Alexander, Jace Huddle, Nick Mansfield, Rigo Landaverde and Cameron McMinn; offensive linemen Devon Pickard, Chase Monroe, Huddle, Nick McLean, Cameron McMinn and Hayden Kauble; Terry, Sharpe, Whatley, free safety Tye Hughes and middle linebacker Clayton Kendrick, who recorded 16 tackles.