By Staff
Brian Hamilton For the FCT
SPEAKE - Coming off of an emotional loss to rival Hackleburg last Friday night, the Vina Red Devils traveled to Speake for a crucial Class 1A, Region 8 region matchup against the Bobcats. Entering the game, the Red Devils and Bobcats were tied with Shoals Christian and Hazlewood for fourth place in the all important region standings. Vina left Speake with its playoff hopes in tact after soundly defeating the Bobcats 24-0.
Vina (3-3, 2-2 in Class 1A Region 8), turned in a stingy defensive performance, led by senior linebacker Kerry Lawler with 16 tackles, to earn the shutout. The Red Devil Defense gave up only 116 total yards to the Bobcats, while forcing three turnovers.
Leading only 6-0 at halftime, Vina head coach Bill Smith challenged his team to be more physical in the second half and they responded.
"We came out in the last half and took it to them," Smith said. "I'm proud our guys. We needed a win and we got it."
Vina grabbed an early lead with 6:57 remaining in the first quarter set up by senior Gary Taylor's interception on the Speake 26 yard line. On the following offensive drive, Taylor found an open Ryan Umfress for a 26-yard touchdown pass. The extra point attempt was no good and Vina led 6-0.
Vina took the opening possession of the second half and marched 55 yards on the ground for its second touchdown. The Red Devil offensive line manhandled the Speake defensive front as senior tailback Ryan Umfress capped off the drive with a 19-yard run. The two point conversion was no good and Vina led 12-0 with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter.
Speake's first possession of the second half ended after one play when Vina corner Blake Patterson intercepted a Bobcat pass on the Red Devil 39-yard line. The Red devil offense chewed up nearly seven minutes off the clock on its ensuing drive.
The 61-yard touchdown drive was paced by a balanced run and pass mix. Umfress, Lawler and Corey Scott rushed for over 30 yards on the drive and Taylor completed passes to tight end Tony Jennings for seven yards and Patterson for 15 yards. The drive was capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to Umfress with 11:55 remaing in the game. The two point conversion was no good and the Red devils took an 18-0 lead.
Vina scored its final touchdown of the night with 9:53 remaining in the fourt quarter as Umfress scampered 29 yards for his third touchdown.
Umfress finished the night with 27 carries for 162 yards.
Taylor finished the game completing 6-of-11 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
The Red Devil offense gained 349 total yards for the game.
Vina plays host to Shoals Christian this coming Thursday as the Red Devils continue their playoff pursuit. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.