VHS coach Drew Sanders talking to Viper players at the Sept. 22 game vs Harker Heights. Photo by Bill Seitzler

Vandegrift players taking the field at the Sept. 22 game vs Harker Heights. Photo by Bill Seitzler

With arguably the toughest test on their 25-6A schedule out of the way, the Vipers (2-3, 0-1) return to Monroe Stadium for a homecoming matchup with Lehman on Friday.

Justin Moore’s mastery of the offense has been on display the last three weeks, and it will be needed again, as the Vipers have struggled in all three losses with the run game. In two wins, Vandegrift amassed 361 yards on the ground. In three losses, the Vipers averaged just 40 rushing yards in each outing.

“Justin is getting better with each game and being able to handle the pressure of being a 6A starting quarterback. It’s a big job and he’s been up to the task,” said Vipers head coach Drew Sanders.

Defensively, Vandegrift has shown it can stand toe to toe with one of the best teams in the state. Lehman won’t be that kind of test for Vandegrift this week, but coach Sanders and the rest of the staff will be certain to focus on avoiding any sort of letdown while facing the 1-4 Lobos.

Lehman’s lone victory came against Austin Akins in Week 3, a game that marked the Lobos’ best offensive performance of the season, as they outscored Akins 42-35.

The Lobos have surrendered 47 points per outing and have scored just 96 total points through five games.

A pair of quarterbacks have completed 83 of 149 pass attempts, with five touchdowns and 11 interceptions. However, the Lobos have averaged 177 yards per game on the ground with a total of seven touchdowns scored in the run game.

This is a matchup that could provide a chance for Vandegrift to continue tweaking its defense before the 25-6A schedule gets tougher, or it could provide a trap for a team coming off a hard-fought game with a disappointing finish against Westlake last week.

“I have no doubt in our ability to rebound from (the loss at Westlake), learn from and continue our climb to becoming an elite defense,” said Sanders.