Photo by Ted Melton
Vestavia Hills Football
Wide receiver Joseph Travis is one of Vestavia's returning pieces on offense this fall.
Friday's game marks the beginning of Buddy Anderson’s 39th season as the head coach of the Vestavia Hills High School football program.
He pre-empted the question at media days, knowing the topic would be broached for the man who has led the Rebels to a pair of state championships and 320 wins since 1978.
“My answer is what I tell everybody,” he said. “I’m closer to the end than the beginning.”
One thing is assured; that Anderson will lead Vestavia onto the field in the 2016 season opener against Homewood shortly before 7 p.m. at Thompson Reynolds Stadium.
Many teams played their first regular season game last week, but the Rebels elected to play a jamboree game against Briarwood Christian School and 27th-year coach Fred Yancey last Friday.
“I don’t feel like we’re ready to play a game on that third week (of fall practice),” Anderson said. “Some people are. I’d like for our team to get better as the year goes on, and we’re not ready on that third week to play a full football game.”
Anderson has undoubtedly learned a thing or two in his many years of coaching, and hopes his team is adequately prepared to renew a longstanding rivalry against the Patriots. Homewood knocked off Pelham, 21-14, last week in the inaugural Milo's Breakfast Kickoff Classic.
Homewood and Vestavia have matched up on the gridiron every year since 1972, the first year that Homewood fielded a football team. The Rebels hold a 26-18 edge in the series, and are looking to extend the longest winning streak for either side in the rivalry.
Vestavia has knocked off the Patriots each of the last nine meetings, including a 41-7 drubbing in 2015.
Under Anderson, Vestavia has been known for its run-first offensive attack, originating out of the option. Last year’s offense was potent under quarterback Brett Jones and running back Walker Minor. Cole Pettway will get the first chance to replace Jones, and Toliver Chatwood is expected to see an increase in carries this season.
That offensive scheme is becoming less common with each passing year in football, as spread attacks rule the landscape. But no matter what era the Rebels are playing in, the responsibilities of opposing defenses remains the same.
“It makes people play assignment football,” Anderson said. “You can’t just load the box, which is what we see.”
Vestavia has three returning starters on the defensive side of the ball, one of them defensive back Tucker Queen. At media day, he emphasized the importance the development of the team’s “chemistry” in order to duplicate the success of a 9-3 season in 2015.
Overall, the Rebels have a number of talented holes to fill from last year’s squad, but Anderson said his new group of starters will be “pretty good.” Beyond that, building quality depth is key.
“Biggest thing right now, we’re going to have a lot of guys inexperienced,” Anderson said. “We’ve got guys that can play, but they’re inexperienced. The only way to get experience is playing.”
