Vina football squad looking to make a splash in new-look Class 1A, Region 8

By Staff
Scot Beard
VINA – With the high school football season less than two weeks away the Vina Red Devils are working hard to improve on last year's 2-8 record.
Coach Bill Smith has been impressed with the effort of many of his players.
"We're doing alright. The kids are working hard," Smith said. "Brent Townsend got stronger, Matthew Hester moved from center to guard and is doing a good job so far."
Smith said the biggest challenge for his team is depth. The Red Devils are deep on the offensive and defensive lines, but the skill positions are a little thin. The bright side is all the players are dedicated to playing to the best of their abilities.
"There are not a lot of kids here, but the ones that are here are working for spots," Smith said.
That is a good sign for a team that lost four seniors off last year's squad and only has one returning starter – Hester – on the offensive line.
The Red Devils will have an interesting region schedule featuring several Class 1A powerhouses and three programs that are new to region play.
Smith said he figures Speake and Hazlewood will be the top two teams in the region while R.A. Hubbard, Shoals Christian and Phillips will also have good seasons. He isn't worried about the three newcomers – Mt. Hope, Tharptown and Waterloo – catching the Red Devils off guard because the Red Devils have played them before.
"We've played Tharptown the last two years and we have played Mt. Hope," Smith said. "We have not played Waterloo at the varsity level, but our middle school programs have played."
Smith said the key to this team's success is for the players to keep their strong work ethic through out the season.
He said the coaching staff's goal is to get the kids out and play as hard as they can. He wants the players to know it is important to do things right and not play sloppy. If they can do that and play as hard as they can then everything else will fall into place.
"The jamboree (at home Friday against Hackleburg) will help us see what these kids have learned," Smith said. "They have worked hard all summer. For a school like us out in the county, it is a real big plus. The coaches are doing a good job."