WADLEY – Verbena’s Red Devils lost a defensive battle to the Wadley Bulldogs last night, 3-0.

The 1-1 Red Devils—0-1 in Class 1A, Region 4—made good defensive plays but failed to get their offense moving most of the game. Garret Dennis, Jason Ray, Dustin Short and Marshall McGaskin made several big defensive plays for the Red Devils that kept the Bulldogs scoreless until the 8-minute mark in the final quarter.

Blake Dale kicked a 35-yard field goal for the game’s only score. He missed an earlier field goal attempt in the third quarter. His fourth quarter kick cleared the goal post bar by inches and turned out to be the game winner.

“I am proud of our team,” a disappointed coach Mike Harris said after the game, adding “several players made some big plays.”

Verbena’s defense stopped two long Bulldog drives in the first three quarters and remained in the game the full 48 minutes.