Turnovers doom Vina in 41-14 loss

By Staff
Scot Beard
FLORENCE – The Vina offense found its rhythm in the second half, but it was too late, as Shoals Christian built a 28-0 halftime lead thanks to some untimely turnovers by the Red Devils.
Shoals Christian (1-0, 1-0) had an opportunity to build on its lead, as it had the first possession of the second half, but the Vina defense forced a turnover on downs at its own 26-yard line.
The Red Devils (0-1, 0-1) went three-and-out on the next series and the Flame took advantage by driving 64-yards for another score to push their lead to 35-0.
Vina got the ball back and faced fourth-and-16 at the end of the third quarter. Morgan McCarley executed a fake punt and ran 26 yards for the first down.
Brent Townsend ran 34 yards on the next play to put Vina on the scoreboard. The two-point conversion failed and Vina trailed 35-6.
Shoals Christian drove to the Vina 18-yard line on its next possession, but a field goal attempt hit the upright and bounced back into the field of play.
Vina picked up a first down, but then the drive stalled and the Red Devils turned the ball over on downs at their own 35-yard line.
The Flame took advantage of the opportunity and increased their lead to 41-6.
Adam Pharr hit Townsend for a 35-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing drive and Andrew Hester scored on the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 41-14 with 1:12 remaining in the game.
The Red Devils attempted an onside kick, but the ball went out of bounds. Shoals Christian ran the clock out to end the game.
The Red Devils will travel to Tharptown next week for another region game.