'This is a very big step for us'

VAN BUREN – For the players and coaching staff at Van Buren, the team's 21-14 win over Arlington last Friday was special. Second-year Black Knights coach Ethan Percer said before the season that the program's goal for 2024 was to make the postseason. Van Buren hasn't made the playoffs since 2021, and hasn't compiled a winning season since 2020. The victory over the Red Devils – a game in which the Black Knights rallied from a 14-0 first half deficit – improved Van Buren's mark this season to 2-2. VB had three wins all of 2023. The victory also marked Van Buren's first win over Arlington – traditionally one of the BVC's top programs – since 2015. "This is a very big step for us… (winning) against a good team at Arlington," said Van Buren quarterback Grady Mason. "I think we've got a good shot at a home playoff game this year." Mason, a senior, is certainly doing his part. In the win over the Red Devils, Mason threw a pair of touchdowns to Alex Homan, ran for the tie-breaking score, and finished with 120 rushing yards. "He ran the ball really hard between the tackles," Percer said of his signal caller's performance. "He just is an athlete. He wants to make plays" So far this season, Mason has thrown for 510 yards, and rushed for 178. Percer said the Van Buren players are invested. "They're busting their butts. They want to play football, they want to win games," he said. "They want to make the playoffs." If the season ended today, the Black Knights would qualify for the postseason. They sit 11th in Division VI's Region 22. The top 16 teams in each region make the playoffs. But Percer doesn't want to look ahead. Van Buren hosts 2-2 Riverdale this week, then will travel to powerhouse McComb in Week 6. For VB, beating Arlington, which came into Van Buren 3-0 and ranked sixth in the Division VII poll, was important. "Right now, for the program, I really think this will extend our season," Mason. "I think it will really propel us forward." But there's more work for the Black Knights to do. "Definitely a win we can build on," Percer said. "We've still got a bunch of tough games down the road; we've just got to take care of business one week at a time. We can't overlook anybody."