Red Devils fall short against Cherokee

VINA — The Vina football team surrendered a 12-0 lead to Cherokee at halftime, but had a chance to win on the final play of the game.

Trailing 12-7 with two seconds to play, Vina quarterback Nick Schmittou spotted Adam Pharr at the goal line and fired a pass for the game winning score, but the pass fell incomplete and Cherokee walked off the field with the win.

Red Devil coach James Pharr said he was pleased with how his team played and how the players did not give up after halftime.

Cherokee (1-0, 0-0) opened the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown pass with 10:31 remaining in the second quarter. The 2-point conversion failed, leaving the Indians with a 6-0 lead.

Cherokee extended the lead with a 22-yard touchdown pass three minutes later. Austin Nichols tackled the Cherokee quarterback on the 2-point conversion to keep the score at 12-0.

The Red Devils (0-1, 0-0) got on the scoreboard with 4:22 remaining in the third quarter when Schmittou recovered a fumble and returned it seven yards for a touchdown. Adam Pharr added the point after to cut the deficit to six points.

Vina hosts Shoals Christian next week to open the region schedule.