By Cindy Orrick

FLORENCE — The situation at halftime looked bleak for Vina’s football team Friday as the Red Devils headed into the locker room trailing Shoals Christian 44-0, but the team showed some fight in the second half.

Vina outscored the Flame 30-7 after halftime, but it was too little too late as the Red Devils fell to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in region play with the 51-30 loss.

Nick Schmittou got Vina on the scoreboard when he hit Clay Pierce for a 45-yard touchdown strike in the third quarter. The 2-point conversion failed.

Moments later Schmittou added a 45-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion to close the gap to 51-14.

Cody Renfrow added a 5-yard touchdown run and Schmittou connected with Pierce on the 2-point conversion midway through the final quarter.

Schmittou hit Pierce for another touchdown pass, this time for 62-yards and the Red Devils added another 2-point conversion with 43 seconds remaining in the game.

Schmittou completed 3-of-7 passes for 114 yards while Pierce had 110 receiving yards.

Schmittou led all rushers with 67 yards on four carries while Ethan Pharr added 65 yards on 13 carries and Renfrow picked up 38 yards on six carries.

Pierce led the Red Devils with six tackles while Pharr recorded five and Renfrow recorded three.

Vina will host Hackleburg next week in the Red Devils’ home opener.