Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

After its first win last week, Verbena High School came up just short on the road at Central High School, Hayneville on Sept. 22 losing 28-20.

“You know, I really thought we had made some strides last week, unfortunately I felt like we were looking for an excuse last night,” Verbena head coach Allen Brothers said. “We could not seem to keep the positive mindset and just key players that need to be leaders almost at times are rejecting that role.”

After Central took an early 8-0 lead, Verbena’s Caleb Short intercepted a pass that set up the Red Devils near midfield where Tomas Cabrera broke off a 53-yard touchdown run to make it 8-6 after the failed two-point conversion. Verbena’s defense got the two points back with a safety on defense to tie the game at eight all.

Hayneville scored twice in the second quarter to hold a 20-8 lead at halftime.

“Young men fought hard under some tough early calls and costly turnover,” Brothers said. “It was a tough environment … a really tough night. Credit to Hayneville they were able to run the ball outside, which seems to be our defensive weakness this year.”

The Red Devils showed fight in the second half as Lance Edwards punched in a short one-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 20-14. However, Central responded quickly with a score of their own and Verbena did not get into scoring position until very late in the fourth quarter. Cabrera posted his second touchdown run with under a minute to play to bring the game to its final tally.

“Overall it is going to be hard to win any game turning the ball over five times,” Brothers said. “I do believe we are making ground and we will continue to grow and I am proud of the young men and their effort. They just have to learn to overcome the negative obstacles that are part of every game.”

Verbena (1-4) will look to correct things on their bye week next week before their next game on Oct. 6 traveling to Notasulga High School.