Bears claw down Vina Red Devils

Tyler Renfrow brought the Vina Red Devils their only points of the game versus the Phillips Bears Friday.

By Bart Moss for the FCT

Two big missed opportunities in the closing minute of the first half proved costly to the Vina Red Devils as they fell to Phillips 24-8.

Trailing 6-0, the Red Devils drove all the way to the Phillips two-yard line but fumbled as they were trying to get into the endzone with 1:40 to go in the first half.

Four plays later, Phillips turned the ball back over to Vina at the 12-yard line. Jacob Lewis recovered the ball for the Red Devils. That drive, however, was stymied by a fourth down interception in the endzone.

“When you are down by only six points and have opportunities to score inside the 15-yard line, you have to take advantage of them,” said Vina Coach Luke Childers.

Phillips would extend their lead to 12-0 with 4:21 to go in the third quarter on a 7-yard run by Adrian Sterling.

Vina pulled to within striking distance on the first play of the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Tyler Renfrow. Renfrow added the two-point conversion with a run to make the score 12-9 Phillips.

Phillips responded immediately with 65-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to make the score 18-8. The Bears added another late score with a six-yard touchdown pass to make the score 24-8.

“We have to play with more energy,” said Childers. “The line has to stay on blocks. We can’t turn the ball over and give up big plays.”

Vina will travel to Cherokee Friday night.