A new chapter for Vina football
As the Vina High School football team prepares for kickoff, the Red Devils are embracing a deliberate, forward-looking vision. Entering his fourth season leading his alma mater, head coach Cody Renfrow—a 2013 Vina graduate—is guiding the program through a transformative period.
One of the most notable shifts for the Red Devils this season is a planned transition to a non-region schedule for the next two years. While the competitive spirit naturally desires region play, Renfrow views stepping outside of a traditional region as a vital, measured step for the program’s long-term sustainability.
“This will allow us to play a more competitive schedule relative to where we are at as a program,” Renfrow said. “The ultimate plan is to develop and grow a young core of players, with the goal of returning to region competition down the road.”
Navigating this transition has presented logistical challenges, he said, particularly when it comes to filling out a complete regular-season slate.
Vina currently holds a seven-game schedule, with ongoing efforts to secure an eighth matchup before the season gets fully underway.
As one of the smaller Class 1A schools in the state, Renfrow said his primary objective this fall is building a deep program “buy-in,” extending from the players on the field to the support of the local community.
“If there’s one thing I hope to accomplish this season, is to develop into a program with more ‘buy-in’,” Renfrow said. “Creating a sense of togetherness and brotherhood will go a long way for our program’s future success.”
That deep-rooted bond is what brings Renfrow the most joy on the sidelines. He highlights how genuinely his players care for one another both on and off the field, while also praising their overall coachability and daily commitment to individual and team improvement.
Youth and opportunity go hand in hand, and Vina will lean heavily on a promising core of hard-working underclassmen who put in extensive summer preparation. Renfrow singled out junior Branson Vick (RB/DB), sophomore Nate Farr (QB/DB) and freshmen Kendon Rhodes and Brentley Butler.
While winning games remains a central competitive goal, success for Vina reaches far beyond the final scoreboard.
“Of course winning a few games would look like a successful season for us, and the goal will always be to win,” Renfrow concluded. “However, more than that, I want to see our young men grow as young men on and off the field.”
