By Staff
Rhonda Hester, Franklin County Times
VINA – The Vina Red Devils couldn't overcome a slow start Friday night to lose 43-22 to region rival Shoals Christian.
Shoals Christian (1-1) scored on its first possesson and successfully went for two to go ahead 8-0, but Vina answered when sophomore quarterback Brent Townsend found Nash Creekmore for a 35-yard touchdown with 8:38 left in the opening quarter, and Townsend's two-point conversion tied the game.
Shoals Christian scored two more touchdowns before halftime, including a 28-yard touchdown with 8:37 left to go ahead 22-8 at halftime.
The Flame broke through for three more scores in the third quarter to go ahead 43-8.
With 2:38 left in the third quarter, Vina responded when Creekmore bobbled the ball and then busted through the Flame kickoff coverage for a 90-yard touchdown and his second kickoff return for a score of the season after returning the opening kickoff last win over Tharptown. Senior tight end Randy Barnes rushed in for the two-point conversion to make it 43-16.
In the fourth quarter, junior Cass White intercepted an Andrew Almon pass as Shoals Christian was facing third-and-5 on the Vina 10-yard line.
Vina scored the game's last touchdown with 7:11 left in the final quarter. With the Red Devils facing third-and-1 on the Shoals Christian 5-yard line, Townsend found White in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown reception. After the PAT failed, the final score stood at 43-22.
Senior Bryan Darracott led the Vina defense with 14.5 tackles, including 13 solo stops and two for a loss, and also finished with a team-high 86 yards rushing.
Townsend finished 5-of-8 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and also made nine tackles.