The Van Vleck Leopards kept the ball on the ground in dismantling the Weimar Wildcats 44-7 in a non-district game Weimar (1-4) hosted Friday night, Sept. 23.
Van Vleck (2-3), under first-year Head Coach Rodney Howell, totaled 297 rushing yards to the Wildcats’ 64.
“We were on a short field all night,” Howell remarked, noting Kadarius Woodard returned a punt 75 yards to the one-yard line.
“We recovered a fumble within the 20 and intercepted a pass within the 20 on the first possession.”
The punt return, fumble and interception all came on Van Vleck’s first three possessions, Howell said.
Leopard quarterback Payton Brown was 1 of 5 for 36 yards, while Weimar had seven yards passing.
Nine Leopards carried the ball against Weimar, Howell said.
Quarterback Cam Austin had a game-high 139 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns.
Leopard Brett Noster contributed 52 yards for the winning effort, while Hector Mares had 31 yards and a touchdown.
Kadarius Woodard also a seven-yard touchdown.
“Nine people carrying the ball says a lot about our heroes, our offensive lineman.
“That’s a lot of people touching the ball.”
Van Vleck begins district play against Danbury Oct. 8.
“Danbury got more offense and giving up less yardage than anybody,” Howell pointed.
Danbury is second behind District 12-3A-2 front runner East Bernard.
Howell likes what he sees in Van Vleck’s early play.
He’s pleased with the running game, adding “we’re efficient in the passing game as we want to be.”
Van Vleck will take what the defense “is willing to give us.”
“We’ve been playing good defense.
“Mixing it up. probably led by three guys up front, Garrett Chamblis, Kadarius Woodward at linebacker and Kim Austin is edge player - offside linebacker - who gets a jump in pass coverage and Ethan Arrington, Howell said.
