Van Vleck won big last Friday, outscoring Tidehaven 49-27 in a cross-county contest between two District 14-3A-2 teams with identical 2-0 district marks.
Now, Van Vleck and East Bernard share 3-0 records, with Tidehaven close behind at 2-1.
While Van Vleck plays struggling Brazos this Friday, Tidehaven travels to East Bernard.
Van Vleck gets the Brahmas the following week.
Leopard running back Cameron Austin had 14 carries for a game-high 130 yards against the Tigers.
Lep Kadarius Woodard had 14 carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while Brett Noster had 11 carries for 83 yards, also with two touchdowns.
Quarterback Payton Brown was nine of five for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Charlie Hill caught a 23-yard scoring pass from Brown.
Woodard had a 20-yard reception for a touchdown.
Ethan Arrington also had a return touchdown for the Leps.
Bryson Blackmon had two interceptions and Kaleb Brown had one pickoff.
“Yes, this was a huge win for our kids and community,” said Leopard Head Coach Rodney Dowell.
“Anytime a team changes their homecoming to a big game like this and that is in your game it only adds to the already big atmosphere,” Dowell remarked.
“Coach (David) Lucio and his staff do a great job and they are led by some really great seniors who have been doing this a long time for the Tigers.
“Our program is new this year and we are just now starting to understand this system, so it was great to see our kids play so hard and match such an already established program like Tidehaven.
“I just hope we can build on this and our kids understand we have to take care of business every week,” he added.
“Our defense and special teams came through big again this week and they were supported by a gang of backs and receivers who all found a way to make plays when we needed them.
“The one, two, three, punch of Cameron Austin, Brett Noster, and Kadarius Woodard was vital to our run game this week.
“We are excited about our playoff opportunities but we know all of that goes through Brazos.
“So as far as looking forward to (East Bernard) the following week, we just can’t afford to do things like that!” Dowell exclaimed.
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