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Photos by Erin Nelson.
Vestavia Hills quarterback Mitchell Towns (16) looks to throw a pass in a game against Homewood at Waldrop Stadium on Aug. 27. The Patriots defeated the Rebels 9-7.
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Vestavia Hills wide receiver Max Stewart (82) carries the ball as Homewood defensive back Owen Isenhower (2) and Homewood inside linebacker Henry Watson (40) move in on the tackle.
The Vestavia Hills High School football team will put the finishing touches on its 2020 regular season in the month of October, with the hope that there will be playoff games in November to look forward to as well.
After the season’s first five games, Vestavia Hills took its open date the final Friday in September, setting up the home stretch of five games in five weeks in October to wrap up the regular season.
On Oct. 1, the Rebels host reigning state champion Thompson at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Since Thompson’s rise to power over the last handful of years, the Rebels have been unable to pull off a win over the Warriors but have given them some competitive matchups. Thompson won 21-20 in 2018 and 35-21 in 2019. Vestavia does still hold a 14-11 edge in the all-time series.
The following Friday, Vestavia Hills heads to Hewitt-Trussville for another Class 7A, Region 3 game. This is another series that has been dominated by the Rebels until recent years, as Hewitt has won three of the last four contests between the schools after Vestavia won the first 12.
Last fall, though, Vestavia gave the Huskies everything they wanted, with Hewitt hanging on for a 42-35 win. Vestavia Hills even had the ball on the final possession, with a chance to tie or go for the win had it been able to put the ball in the end zone. Landon Neese scored four touchdowns for the Rebels that evening.
The Rebels host Spain Park on Oct. 15 in a game that could be critical to the playoff race in Region 3. Last fall, Vestavia Hills dominated the Jaguars 32-7 and piled up 308 rushing yards in the process. The Rebels have won the last three times out against Spain Park and hold a 12-6 lead in the series.
On Oct. 22, the Rebels play host to Gadsden City to conclude region play this fall. The two teams met for the first time last season, with Vestavia storming to a 45-7 victory to win the final region game in the career of longtime head coach Buddy Anderson.
Quarterback Braden Glenn had an impressive 239 passing yards on the night, completing 10-of-20 throws. His favorite target was Cole Turner, who snagged four passes for 109 yards. Charlie Hughes caught three passes for 64 yards. Landon Neese led the Rebels’ rushing attack, carrying the ball 10 times for 84 yards.
The Rebels will finish the regular season Oct. 28 at Shades Valley against the team Anderson coached against and defeated in his final game leading Vestavia Hills. The hope is that the Rebels and new head man Sean Calhoun can accomplish something similar to the 2020 Rebels, who finished a challenging season with three straight wins.
