VINEMONT, Ala. – Vinemont hosted Hanceville to kick off region play on Friday night, and the Eagles came away with a 52-6 win behind a five-touchdown game from running back Gabriel Herrera.
The Bulldogs received the opening kickoff and went three-and-out after a first-down sack by Vinemont’s Brandon Johnson. Herrera later opened the scoring with a 7-yard scamper to put Vinemont up 8-0 with 6:52 remaining in the opening quarter.
Late in the first quarter Herrera scored his second touchdown of the night from 10 yards out to put the Eagles up 16-0. Then, a big run by Javus Leusby set the Bulldogs up first-and-goal, but on the next play, Vinemont’s Alex Pantoja recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchback.
Six plays later, Herrera added his third touchdown of the night from 62 yards out to give Vinemont a 24-0 lead early in the second quarter. After forcing a three-and-out, Preston Hanners broke free but got tripped up, and Travis Speer punched it in from 29 yards out on the next play to put Vinemont up 32-0 mid way through the second quarter. Later in the second, Herrera found the end zone from four yards out for his fourth touchdown of the night to go up 39-0.
At the 8:24 mark of the third quarter Herrera put Vinemont up 46-0 on an 8 yard run with his fifth touchdown of the night. Late in the third quarter Karson Arbet got in on the action with a 25-yard touchdown to put Vinemont up 52-0. Leusby broke free for a 71-yard touchdown to put the Bulldogs on the board with 38 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Vinemont was chewing clock and moving the chains on its ensuing possession, but Hanceville forced a fumble. Several plays later, Travis Speer intercepted the ball to give the Eagles the ball back, and Vinemont ended the game how every coach hopes to, in victory formation.
Vinemont, now 2-1, will travel to take on Oneonta next Friday, while 0-3 Hanceville will host rival Holly Pond.
