ARLEY – The Meek Tigers took on the Vina Red Devils in an out-of-region game Friday night in Arley, seeking to improve to .500 on the season, which they did, with a final score of 46-12.
Things got off to a shaky start for the Tigers when Vina drove down the field culminating in a 42-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tyler Renfrow. On the ensuing drive Meek marched right down the field scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run by fullback John Mark Abercrombie. The Tigers didn’t look back from there, scoring 38 unanswered points as their triple-option rushing attack proved to be too much for the Red Devils to handle along with some opportunistic turnovers forced by the Tiger defense.
The biggest play of the night came on a blocked punt by Meek linebacker Luke Tidwell which was then recovered in the end zone by Meek’s do-everything fullback/linebacker Abercrombie.
The game was put out of reach late in the second quarter on a 56-yard run by Meek running back Collin Brock. Vina just couldn’t seem to get anything going on offense after an impressive opening drive while their defense tired out quickly from a lack of depth.
“It was the most complete game we’ve played this year; we haven’t played well in the first half this year, but our guys came out ready to play tonight with the exception of their opening drive,” Meek head coach Lance Archer said after the game.
In the second half with the game safely put away Meek had a chance to play some of their younger guys who performed well with sophomore running backs Destin Morris and Luke Tidwell combining for 88 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. Senior defensive back Dillion Baker contributed with one interception while freshman Bryan Phillips and sophomore Gabe Jones had a fumble recovery each. Sophomore Collin Brock led the Tigers’ formidable rushing attack with 113 yards on five carries with one touchdown.
Archer was proud of the way his offensive line and stable of running backs performed. “We pride ourselves on playing smash-mouth football. Everyone knows we’re going to run the ball and it’s just stop us if you can. All of our backs did a really good job tonight running it and protecting the ball and our offensive line did a good job opening up holes for them to run through.”
The victory tonight brought Meek to 3-3 on the year while Vina drops to 0-4. The Tigers will face off against region opponent R.A. Hubbard next week in Arley at 7 p.m. while Vina will travel to Tuscaloosa to play the Alabama School for the Deaf.
Meek vs. Vina Stats
Vina
Total offense: 175 yards
Rushing yards: 150
Passing yards: 20
QB Tyler Renfrow: 1-3, 20 yards, 1 int., 9 carries, 40 yards, 1 touchdown
FB Andrew Upton: 17 carries, 65 yards
RB Austin Harper: 12 carries, 35 yards, 1 touchdown
Meek
Total offense: 346 yards
Rushing yards: 346
Passing yards: 0
FB John Mark Abercrombie: 4 carries, 24 yards, 1 touchdown
RB Gabe Jones: 7 carries, 71 yards
RB Collin Brock: 5 carries, 113 yards, 1 touchdown
RB Destin Morris: 5 carries, 55 yards, 1 touchdown
RB Thomas Heath: 8 carries, 41 yards, 1 touchdown
RB Luke Tidwell: 6 carries, 33 yards, 1 touchdown
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