Vina seniors cap careers with rout of Lions

By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
VINA - It was only appropriate on Senior Night at Vina that the school's sparse-but-special senior class play such a large role in the season's last victory.
Vina's four seniors accounted for all but one of the Red Devils' touchdowns in a 42-7 pasting of the winless Hubbertville Lions in front of a good crowd on a chilly night at Red Devil Stadium.
Kerry Lawler scored twice, as did Ryan Umfress, and Gary Taylor scored a touchdown of his own in the win. Lineman Shannon Ozbirn did his part also with key contributions throughout the game.
Despite losing on a controversial call last week to Hazlewood and being shut out of the Class 1A playoffs, Smith said he never suspected that his team wouldn't respond well with a season-ending win.
The win improved the Red Devils to 5-5 on the year, marking the most wins in Smith's tenure at the school. Hubbertville finished the season 0-10.
The Red Devils made it look easy from the beginning, taking the opening kickoff and driving 52 yards in eight plays, with fullback Corey Scott scoring from one yard out.
After forcing a three-and-out, Taylor gathered in a Hubbertville punt at his own 45-yard line and sailed 55 yards for another score. Scott's PAT gave Vina a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
After forcing another three-and-out, Umfress scored on the next play, a 66-yard touchdown run that gave the Red Devils a 21-0 lead after one quarter.
The Red Devils then held the Lions on downs and drove 64 yards in just four plays, with Lawler scoring from 19 yards out. Scott's PAT made the score 28-0.
The Lions then mounted their only scoring drive of the game to pull to within 28-7, but Vina answered with a four-play, 49-yard drive capped off by a 15-yard scoring run by Lawler. The Red Devils had piled up 245 rushing yards at the half.
A 5-yard scoring run by Umfress early in the fourth quarter provided the final margin.
We ran inside most of the night, with just a couple of outside plays, and that's pretty much been our game plan all year."
Smith said the seniors played the entire game, just as they wanted.