VAN VLECK – The Van Vleck Leopards didn’t want to leave the field Friday night after a 19-14 upset over the East Bernard Brahmas.
With the win, the Leopards finish the district at a perfect 5-0, claiming their first District championship in 20 years.
“I am so dang proud of these kids,” said a water-drenched Rodney Dowell after the game.
“These guys played their butts off. We controlled the line of scrimmage and made some big plays on defense.
“This is our style and it worked against a very good East Bernard team tonight.”
The Leopards took the opening kickoff from their own 25-yard line and slowly worked down the field.Running backs Cam Austin, Ka’Darius Woodard, and Brett Noster led the ground game, while quarterback Payton Brown connected with Bryson Blackmon for the only pass of the drive.
After moving down to the Brahma 12-yard line, the offense stalled, turning over the ball on downs.
East Bernard threatened later in the second quarter, as the Brahmas moved into Leopard territory.
The Van Vleck defense held up, forcing a field goal attempt.
Ka’Darius Woodard came flying in from the outside and blocked the attempt.
Sam Brooks jumped on the loose football to end the scoring threat sending both teams to the locker room in a 0-0 halftime tie.
Van Vleck would break the tie on their first possession of the third quarter.
After taking an East Bernard punt from their own 39-yard line, the Leopards kept to their ground game with Noster and Brown leading the charge.
The offense grinded down to the three-yard line, with Noster taking it in from there for the game’s first touchdown.
Peyton Huerta booted the extra point, giving Van Vleck a 7-0 lead with 1:51 left in the third.
The Van Vleck defense got into the scoring act on the next East Bernard possession.Defensive lineman Wesley Moss broke through the line, hitting Brahma quarterback Dallas Novicke as Novicke was trying to pass.
The ball popped up in the air with Leopard standout Garrett Chambless grabbing the interception and rambling 33 yards for the touchdown.
The two-point conversion was no good, but Van Vleck had the crowd on their feet, leading 13-0 early in the fourth quarter.
East Bernard answered right back on the ensuing kickoff, going 57 yards in 6 plays.
Novicke connected with receiver Caleb Magness to cut the Van Vleck lead to 13-7 with 9:18 left in the game.
The Leopards didn’t panic, as the offense went back to work.
A Payton Brown to Ka’Darius Woodard 27-yard pass, and great runs by Woodard and Cam Austin moved Van Vleck inside the Brahma 10-yard line.
Cam Austin finished the drive with a 1-yard dive to increase the Leopard lead.
Peyton Huerta booted the extra point to make the score 19-7 with 2:35 left in the game.
The Brahmas scored on the next drive with a Novicke to Joshua Montalvo four-yard touchdown pass, but it was not enough as Van Vleck went into victory formation to run out the clock and begin the celebration.
The Leopard will begin their postseason with a trip to Caldwell High School to take on the Riesel Indians.
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
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