Posted 12:00 pm Friday, August 28, 2009
Van Opens Stadium With Big Victory
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By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
VAN -- The Van players were placing friendly wagers this week on who would score the first touchdown at the new Van Memorial Stadium.
With just over three minutes elapsed in Thursday's game, Chase Rabe did the honors, rumbling in from two yards out.
"It's an honor," Rabe said of providing the first points at the new stadium. "The line made their blocks perfect and you could've driven a mack truck through the hole."
Rabe was the first of many Vandals (1-0) to visit the end zone in a 53-12 win over Grand Saline.
All told, six different players scored touchdowns in the game, led by quarterback Tyler Sharpe, who passed for 210 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score.
Rabe rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns and Tori Parsons scored on a 15-yard reception and a 41-yard punt return.
Grand Saline (0-1) received a 22-yard touchdown run from Michael Martin and a 12-yard scoring pass from Taylor Phelps to Thomas Miller on the final play of the game.
The Indians used a strong kickoff return to open the game and quickly moved into Vandal territory on a 14-yard run by Phelps.
However, on the next play the snap went over Phelps' head and was receovered by Van's Skylar Cotton at the Grand Saline 29. It was one of three turnovers the Indians had in the game while being outagained 408-175.
Rabe scored five plays later and Van never looked back, buildinga 21-0 lead after the first quarter and 34-0 advantage after halftime.
