Even without a complete roster, Van-Far wants to play a complete game.
The Class 1 No. 7 Indians made the halftime score the final score on Friday with a 40-0 win over Eastern Missouri …
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Even without a complete roster, Van-Far wants to play a complete game.
The Class 1 No. 7 Indians made the halftime score the final score on Friday with a 40-0 win over Eastern Missouri Conference foe Mark Twain (1-3, 0-2 EMO). Van-Far (3-1, 2-0 EMO) was able to play with a running clock the entire second half, per the mercy rule, to win on Homecoming and secure its third straight Farmers Cup.
Head coach Lucas Gibson said he was proud to three-peat Farmers Cup victories and have such a definitive win after winning by two points and 14 points the last two years.
“I just challenged the boys this week to play a complete game,” Gibson said. “In the second half at Westran, I felt we played a good second half but were slow to start. Against Russellville, we were not good at parts of the game. Against Louisiana, we were good in the first half but not as good in the second half.”
Van-Far hasn’t had its full roster available in any game this season. The biggest losses have been to its backfield with Cayden Douglas and Ronnie Stanich both sitting out Friday’s game.
Regardless, the Indians imposed their will on the ground as Evan Utterback ran for 43 yards and two touchdowns along with catching a 30-yard one from Kasen Christian, Gaven Gaston ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and Christian ran for a touchdown. Ty Evans added 78 yards on the ground.
“Ty Evans has run the ball well as he is a tank to bring down,” Gibson said. “Evan’s a great blocker and runner. Last week, we had (a season-high) 385 yards.”
Utterback was installed into the backfield when injuries affected the Van-Far backfield last year. When the Indians needed an answer this year, they turned to their No. 1 wide receiver, Gaston.
Gaston broke a couple tackles and ran for a 40-yard touchdown for the first touchdown of the game and scored from 25 yards out later after shedding a defender. The senior returned to the backfield two weeks before competing for the Farmers Cup in his first appearance there since junior high.
“We changed in freshman year when I got hurt and I just stuck out at wide receiver,” Gaston said. “Coming into running back, it was a big difference with a different offense. My linemen have my back.”
Gaston said Van-Far’s “next man up” strategy works because the players stay focused in practice and are aware of everybody’s role.
Gibson said Gaston can be a big threat behind the line of scrimmage like he is on the line as a receiver
“He’s a good athlete, super fast and shifty, too,” Gibson said. “He can turn it on. It’s unbelievable. When I see it, it’s crazy to watch.”
Gaston impressed Gibson on the drive that Van-Far took a 40-0 lead seconds before halftime. Christian completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to Utterback. Before that, Van-Far needed 30 yards for the first down, and Gaston gave them 31 yards.
“It felt great because I hate being on those long distances,” Gaston said. “Linemen blocked their butts off. You name it. They’re all dogs that work their butts off in practice, and I know I can rely on them to do whatever I ask them to do.”
Mark Twain struggled to finish a play ahead of the line of scrimmage, let alone beyond the chains for a first down. The Tigers were limited to two first downs and were tackled behind the line often.
Utterback, Bryce Reading, Jackson Fischer and others swarmed the ball carrier immediately. Fischer and Utterback each led with 5.5 tackles, and Easton Sharp had four tackles, a blocked punt and an interception. Van-Far finished with its first shutout of the season and first one posted against Mark Twain.
“We made some more changes on defense,” Gibson said. “Hopefully, we’re getting it figured out as it’s an experiment every week. We moved Easton Sharp to nose tackle, and Jackson and Evan to tackle. Bryce Reading is playing defensive end on the other side of (brother) Pacey (Reading).”
Van-Far plays at conference foe Montgomery County (2-2) at 7 p.m. Friday but enjoyed winning a big rivalry game. Gibson said the coaches and players appreciated the support from the community as it was one of largest crowds and best atmospheres that he remembers.
“We came in to practice this week and knew this was what we wanted,” Gaston said. “Keep the Farmers Cup. All of these rivalries, we just want to win.”
