By Matt Wilson

For the FCT

Vina dropped to 1-4 on the season overall with a 28-8 loss at Meek Sept. 26 in Arley.

Vina got its first win since 2011 in week two against Waterloo. After an open week and a road loss to Decatur Heritage, the loss against Meek comes before a stretch of tough 1A Region 8 games.

The Meek Tigers sit mid-table in 1A Region 6, but have an early season win over Phillips who are 1-1 in Region 8 and 5-1 overall.

Vina hosts an R.A. Hubbard team on Oct. 3 that posted a result against Waterloo resembling the score line of Vina’s matchup with Waterloo.

For a program like the Red Devils coming off of two winless seasons and rebuilding with a first-year coach, any win along the way helps to regrow the confidence that is needed in turning a program around.

Head coach Luke Childers said before the season that he expects his team to win and feels like it is achievable this season.

“I think we’re going to win—it’s as simple as that,” Childers said. “I think we’re going to win and the team does too.”

The second half of the season will do a lot to determine how far Vina has come from a season ago as they host two of the Region 8 matchups and go on the road for the other two.

“From day one when I came in here I said anything less than a first-round playoff berth is no good,” Childers said.

If the Red Devils can find a way to win two or three of their remaining Region 8 games that could be a real possibility for Childers and his team.