Panthers overcome Red Devils

By Matt Wilson

For the FCT

The Vina Red Devils dropped a non-region matchup to the visiting Woodville Panthers 41-26 on Sept. 12 moving Vina’s season record to 1-2.

After one quarter, the Red Devils had kept it close, ending the opening frame down 14-6, but the second quarter proved to be the unraveling of any momentum Vina may have had.

Woodville’s freshman quarterback, Nick Baker, ended his night with a solid 7 of 12 completions in the passing game including three touchdowns all to fellow freshman Angel Montesdeoca. The freshman duo accounted for all of the Panthers’ scoring as Montesdeoca also rushed for three touchdowns on the night.

Vina head coach Luke Childers said his team just made too many mistakes against a good team.

“Mistakes and penalties, flags—they killed us,” Childers said.

“They had too much speed for us and we couldn’t ever catch up.”

Down 33-12 at halftime, the Red Devils could have easily tucked their tails, but Childers said his team doesn’t do that.

“Our team played hard and never quit,” Childers said.

“They were a good team and had a lot of speed at the running back position, but our kids played hard.”

The Red Devils outscored Woodville 14-8 in the second half, but the damage had already been done and the gap was too wide for Vina to make up.

Childers said an injury to Eli Hiser will prevent him from suiting up Thursday at Decatur Heritage.

“Unfortunately Eli (Hiser) sprained his MCL in his right knee and we’ll be without him on Thursday night,” Childers said.

The Red Devils travel to Decatur for a 1A Region 8 matchup with the Eagles of Decatur Heritage Christian Academy on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.

“We prepare the same way for region opponents or not,” Childers said. “We have been working hard this season and we will continue to keep doing that.”