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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Verbena High School kept its record unblemished against Ellwood Christian Academy on Sept. 20 with its first shutout of the season in a 48-0 win. The Red Devils’ offense was able to use the game to expand their playbook and open up the passing game, a trait they have been trying to improve on all season. Quarterbacks Hayden Wilson and Jaxson Kelley combined to go 22-for-27 passing for 234 yards and five touchdowns. Wilson accounted for 192 of those yards and three touchdowns, while Kelley was a perfect 5-for-5 for two scores.

The Red Devils blitzed Ellwood Christian right out of the gate building a 24-0 lead after the first quarter and leading 40-0 at the halftime break. Four different Verbena receivers caught a touchdown pass, and Isaac Stoudemire led the way with four catches for 51 yards and a score. Jackson Brothers caught two touchdown passes, and Jacob Morris and Tristin Wilhite each pulled in one.

Morris was the leading tackler for Verbena stacking 10 stops and a sack to go with them. Nehemiah Baker grabbed an interception and returned it for a touchdown, and Stoudemire had a sack.

Verbena (4-0) hosts Gaylesville High School on Sept. 27 for their 2024 homecoming game with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.