Tharptown Wildcats fall to Red Devils

Red Devils Tyler Renfrow carries the ball.

By Bart Moss

The Vina Red Devils shut out the Tharptown Wildcats in a preseason game Thursday night at Vina. The game was played by regular football rules except there were no live special teams.

The Red Devils used a dominant ground game to get the win.

“It was a great all-around team effort,” said Vina coach Luke Childers. “It was one of those games where any kid on the team could be player of the week. We had great blocking, great running and, most of all, a shutdown defense. I’m very proud of them and hope this will build up their confidence leading into our season opener next week.”

Vina got on the board first midway through the first quarter when Tanner Miller scored from one yard out to make the score 6-0.

Vina scored again with 0:29 to go in the first quarter when Blake Hester powered into the endzone from three yards out. A two-point conversion run by Miller gave the Red Devils a 14-0 first quarter lead.

Tharptown was able to get to the Vina two yard line in the second quarter on two nice aerial connections from quarterback Heath Hatton to wide receiver Mikey Rosson. The drive ended when Vina’s Hester picked off the pass in the endzone with 1:28 to go in the half.

Vina was able to drive the ball deep into Tharptown territory in the third quarter, but the Wildcats defense stood strong and forced the Red Devils into a turnover on downs.

Vina’s Jacob Willis intercepted a Tharptown pass in the fourth quarter. The interception led to the Red Devils scoring later on a three yard run by Bradley Duncan with 7:31 to go in the game, making the score 22-0.

Willis would score on Vina’s next drive after sprinting 74 yards to paydirt to make the score 30-0.

Vina will open regular season play Friday night at Southeastern. Tharptown will host Phillips.