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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills wide receiver Luke Stubbs (14) is taken down by Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa inside linebacker Miles Madden (24) during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills quarterback Charlie Taaffe (11) outruns Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa inside linebacker Miles Madden (24) during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills defensive lineman Haines Bridges (56) sacks Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa quarterback Jordan Shambley (2) in the back-field during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills defensive lineman Haines Bridges (56) pursues Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa quarterback Jordan Shambley (2) during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia offense looks to the sideline for a play during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills quarterback Charlie Taaffe (11) looks for an opening during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills quarterback Charlie Taaffe (11) runs the ball during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia defense reacts to a fumble recovery during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans discusses a call with an official during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills kicker Sloan Morgan (20) kicks an extra point during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans congratulates his team after a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia team captains Vestavia Hills quarterback Price LaMaster (9), offensive lineman Brody Glenn (55), running back Carson Purdy (15), and linebacker JD Haynes (17) take the field before a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia cheerleaders lead their team onto the field before a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills wide receiver Luke Stubbs (14) scrambles for additional yards during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills tight end Braxton Hunt (22) is tackled by Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa safety Keitory Hayward (25) during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa inside linebacker Zay Hall (1) and safety Joseph Davidson (10) attempt to stop Vestavia Hills running back Carson Purdy (15) from scoring his touchdown during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills wide receiver Luke Stubbs (14) is tackled by Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa's Trenton Curley (8) during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills marching band entertains the crowd during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills marching band entertains the crowd during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills marching band entertains the crowd during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia students cheer on their team during a game between Vestavia and Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Fri, Sept. 12, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
The Vestavia Hills High School football team rebounded nicely after last week's tough loss, starting fast and rolling to a 42-24 win over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Friday night at Thompson Reynolds Stadium.
The Rebels sorely needed to avoid starting 0-2 in Class 7A, Region 3 play, and they did just that with a strong win.
Vestavia Hills (3-1 overall, 1-1 in region) started fast, blazing to a 21-0 lead after a quarter of play. Quarterback Charlie Taaffe started his big night with a pair of touchdowns. He ran for a 26-yard score to get things started and capped off the quarter by hitting Price LaMaster (also a quarterback) for a 57-yard score. Carson Purdy had a 9-yard touchdown run as well.
Hillcrest scored the next 10 points, but Vestavia answered before the half on Taaffe's pass to Braxton Hunt for a 14-yard score, giving the Rebels a 28-10 lead at the break.
The two teams exchanged touchdowns in the second half, as Taaffe scored on runs of 36 yards and 1 yard.
Taaffe finished with five total touchdowns, throwing for two and running for three. He passed for 147 yards and ran for 143 yards.
"He played well. He's a baller. I don't know how many other ways to say it," Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans said of Taaffe. "As he goes, we go."
Purdy finished the night with 67 rushing yards, and Noah Boylan added 48 yards. Luke Stubbs had 72 all-purpose yards.
Vestavia Hills travels to Thompson next week for another key region game.
"There's no easy answer for Thompson. Anybody that says there is is a liar," Evans said. "It's always a fun game when we play them."
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