Vina capitalizes on Wildcat miscues in 34-7 victory
By Staff
Scot Beard
THARPTOWN – Two early turnovers by Tharptown led to a touchdown for Vina and the Red Devils used the momentum to cruise to a 34-7 win in a key Class 1A, Region 8 game.
Tharptown (0-2, 0-2) fumbled the opening kickoff, allowing the Vina offense to set up shop on the Wildcat 15-yard line. The Red Devils moved to the 12-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs.
Tharptown's possession lasted one play as Brandon Cothrum threw into the Vina defense and Ethan McInnis intercepted the pass and returned it to the Wildcat 9-yard line.
One play later Brent Townsend scored on a 9-yard run to put Vina (1-1, 1-1) ahead.
The Vina defense forced a punt on the ensuing Tharptown drive and the Red Devil offense capitalized quickly when Morgan McCarley hit Adam Pharr for a 53-yard touchdown strike on the first play of the possession.
Tharptown answered on a 2-yard run by Trevor Hallmark in the second quarter.
Townsend picked up his second rushing touchdown of the night three minutes later, but the point-after attempt failed, leaving the Red Devils with a 20-7 lead.
Vina added to its lead when Townsend rushed for another touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play from the Tharptown 1-yard line. He also scored on the two-point conversion to give Vina a 28-7 lead at halftime.
Townsend rounded out the scoring in the third quarter with a 25-yard touchdown run.
The Wildcats drove deep into Vina territory in the final quarter, but a bad snap on fourth-and-goal led to a turnover on downs.
The Red Devils put together a six-minute drive to run out most of the clock, then the Vina defense forced a three-and-out to secure the victory.
Townsend rushed for 53 yards and four touchdowns on nine carries to lead Vina while Pharr pulled in four receptions for 98 yards and a score. Vina had 279 yards of total offense compared to 138 total yards for the Wildcats.
Kelby Hallmark led Tharptown with six receptions for 39 yards.
The Red Devils will play their first home game of the season next week when they play Phillips.
Tharptown hosts Waterloo in a must-win region game.
Both games are Friday.
