Red Devils crush Silent Warriors
Senior Tyler Renfrow runs the ball for Vina in the Red Devils’ 42-6 Homecoming win.
By Josh Prewitt for the FCT
After a four-game slide the Red Devils (2-4, 0-3) bounced back, notching a big win on homecoming night at Franklin-Hester Stadium Friday.
“I thought the boys played a great all-around game,” Vina Coach Luke Childers said. “I hope this gives us some momentum and some confidence going into a big area game next week against Shoals Christian.”
Vina is sitting at 0-3 in 1A Region 8 play, but hopes still are alive for one of the four playoff spots. The Red Devils’ last three games are Shoals Christian, Hackleburg and Tharptown. Two of the three games are at Home.
2- Vina’s seniors watch as the Red Devils top the Alabama School for the Deaf.
If the Red Devils can pick up some big region wins down the stretch, they could at least lock up the fourth playoff spot for the second year in a row.
“We have to beat Shoals Christian to have a chance for the playoffs,” Childers said.
Senior Tyler Renfrow, who does it all for Vina, finished with nine carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns. He also added eight tackles and a sack on the night.
“Playing in my last homecoming game was kind of surreal,” Renfrow said. “We played a real complete game Friday night. Everything was going our way the whole game. Both sides of the line were unstoppable, and the offensive line was sticking to their blocks good and opening holes for me, Jacob Lewis and the other backs. The defensive line was getting good penetration in the back field all night as well. Going into the rest of the season, if we play like I know we can play, great things can happen.”
Senior Joshua Cochran, who caught a 15-yard touchdown in his last homecoming game, said he was happy but knows this year isn’t over and a lot more exciting things can happen.
“It feels great, but then again it’s my last one. We played a great ballgame, and we hope to keep our momentum going into this week’s region game against Shoals Christian,” Cochran said.
The atmosphere around Vina has been growing off last year’s playoff berth, and they hope to get back into the playoffs this year if they can make a run.
“Getting a win is always great, but this one was special,” senior Andrew Upton said. “I’ve been starting varsity for five years, and it was our first homecoming win since then. I love the group of guys I play with. Most of the guys in my class have been starting since eighth and ninth grade, so we’ve grown close on the field.
“Football is defiantly going to be what I miss the most about high school when it’s all over.”
Senior James Barnes had two receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown.
“I wouldn’t trade playing with the guys for this long for anything,” Barnes said. “We’re going to continue to work hard. We’ve just got to keep pounding and pushing ourselves to newer limits.”
Senior Chris Brewer added, “Winning a homecoming game for us was great. I’m glad that we won, not only for our record but for the homecoming court, school, and town,” Brewer said. It’s sad knowing that our season is almost over because I’m a senior and I know that I’ll never be able to play football in high school anymore, so all of us seniors are trying to make the best out of what we have left.”
Vina Plays Shoals Christian (2-4, 2-2) in a big 1A Region 8 game this Friday.
