Vina avoids shutout with late scores

By Staff
Scot Beard
VINA – The past few weeks the Vina offense was able to avoid numerous turnovers, but reverted to its old ways, throwing three interceptions and losing one fumble during the Red Devils' 53-16 loss to Speake.
Two of the first five offensive plays for Vina were interceptions and one of those was returned for a touchdown.
The Red Devils struggled against the faster Speake defenders and managed only 21 yards of total offense and two first downs through the first three quarters as Speake jumped out to a 53-0 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Red Devil offense finally broke loose in the fourth, gaining 150 yards on four plays.
Brent Townsend got Vina on the scoreboard with 9:39 remaining in the fourth when he scrambled for a 73-yard touchdown run. Channing Haithcock scored on the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 53-8.
Vina tried an onsides kick, but Speake recovered. After the Bobcats mounted a short drive, the Red Devil defense stiffened and forced a turnover on downs.
On the first play of the drive, Townsend hit Cass White with a 37-yard pass to move Vina into Speake territory for only the third time.
Townsend's next pass was incomplete.
He then ran for 27 yards, giving the Red Devils their first red zone possession of the game.
Townsend found Morgan McCarley in the end zone on the next play for a 13-yard touchdown pass. Haithcock scored on the two-point play.