Vina players get first playoff experience at Hackleburg

By Staff
Scot Beard
VINA – The last time Vina was in the state playoffs, half of this year's squad had not started kindergarten yet.
The Red Devils make their first playoff appearance since 1998 when they travel to Hackleburg Friday as the fourth seed in Class 1A, Region 8.
"The kids have worked hard. I'm excited for them," said Vina coach Bill Smith. "I hoped to have a better season than we did, but there were a lot of turnovers and mistakes."
The Red Devils finished the season with a 4-6 record overall and a 2-3 record in region play. The four victories are the most by a Vina football team since the 1994 season.
This will be the ninth time the Red Devils have made a playoff appearance. They are 1-8 overall and 0-7 on the road.
Vina will have another tough test against the Panthers. Hackleburg is 10-0 and won the Class 1A, Region 7 title.
The Panthers, which have averaged 37.5 points per game, is a senior-heavy team that likes to run the spread.
The Red Devils will have to maintain control of the ball to stay in the game.
"We can't afford to have turnovers," Smith said. "We have to play a near perfect ballgame."
Vina played the Panthers during the fall jamboree, so the Red Devils are aware of what they are facing. Smith said the sixth-ranked Panthers are still doing the same things they did 11 weeks ago and that they pass the ball about 60 percent of the time.
Smith said the offense is good, but he feels the defensive front is the Panthers' strong point.
"We are outsized upfront," Smith said. "They have four or five kids between 200 and 260 pounds."
Smith is happy with how his team has played down the stretch. He said the Red Devils offense has improved in the last four weeks and is moving the ball much better now.
He is also pleased with the Vina defense.
"The defense has played hard all year," Smith said. "We've had a few mental breakdowns, but our quickness has helped us make some big plays."
Smith said he wanted to thank the fans for their support all season and is looking forward to seeing them in the stands Friday night.
He also said the underdog status could be an advantage for Vina that the Red Devils could use to give those fans a good show.
"I'm excited about going to Hackleburg," Smith said. "There is nothing to lose, so we can play our hearts out and hope something good happens."