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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback Bruce Littleton (12) pushes through the Thompson defense in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
The Rebels offense celebrates with quarterback John Paul Head (13) after Head scored for the Rebels in a game against Thompson at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills offensive lineman Jack McMurray (76) blocks Thompson linebacker Jayden Davis (7) in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback Bruce Littleton (12) carries the ball as the Rebels face Thompson in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback John Paul Head (13) breaks away from the Thompson defense as he runs the ball in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback John Paul Head (13) looks to throw the ball as the Rebels face Thompson in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills linebacker Gaines Johnson (11) moves in to block the run by Thompson running back Michael Dujon (5) in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback John Paul Head (13) runs the ball through the Thompson defense as he heads for the end zone to score for the Rebels in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills running back Jack Lockhard (32) is brought down by Thompson linebacker Jayden Davis (7) in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills defensive back Kaden Daniels (6) tackles Thompson quarterback Zachary Sims (8) in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Vestavia Hills kicker Carter Shirley (95) kicks the extra point as the Rebels face Thompson in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills linebacker Houston Owen (18) carries the ball through the Thompson defense in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills tight end Warren Ainsworth (88) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in a game against Thompson at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills defensive lineman Lane Whisenhunt (49) blocks Thompson running back Arrington Green (1) on the run in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills defensive back Will Cox (1) and Vestavia Hills linebacker John Martin Richter (17) move in to tackle Thompson running back Arrington Green (1) in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Vestavia Hills defensive back Grant Downey (4) intercepts a pass in the end zone as the Rebels face Thompson in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills defensive back Grant Downey (4) intercepts a pass in the end zone as the Rebels face Thompson in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans talks with Vestavia Hills defensive back Grant Downey (4) during a timeout as the Rebels face Thompson in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback Luke Turner (9) hands the ball to Vestavia Hills running back William Tonsmeire (1) in a game against Thompson at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills running back Tucker Smitha (46) carries the ball as Thompson safety Kaleb Harris (8) moves in to block in a game at Thompson Reynolds Field at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback John Paul Head (13) runs the ball through the Thompson defense as he heads for the end zone to score for the Rebels in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills running back William Tonsmeire (1) runs the ball in a game against Thompson at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback John Paul Head (13) runs the ball through the Thompson defense as he heads for the end zone to score for the Rebels in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills running back Jack Lockhard (32) runs the ball through the Thompson defense in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback John Paul Head (13) passes the ball in a game against Thompson at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback Bruce Littleton (12) carries the ball as the Rebels face Thompson in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills defensive end Jordan Ross (5) sacks Thompson wide receiver Kolby Hearn (7) in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills defensive end Jordan Ross (5) sacks Thompson wide receiver Kolby Hearn (7) in a game at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Vestavia Hills quarterback Luke Turner (9) catches the snap in a game against Thompson at Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Vestavia Hills High School on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Thompson defeated the Rebels 34-14. Photo by Erin Nelson.
VESTAVIA HILLS — It was a tale of two halves.
After cutting its deficit to 13-7 at halftime, the Vestavia Hills High School football couldn’t get much going in the second half and lost 34-14 to sixth-ranked Thompson in the Class 7A, Region 3 opener Friday.
All three Thompson (1-2, 1-0 in region) drives in the third quarter ended in touchdowns. First, quarterback Zach Sims bolted 6 yards, then connected with Deuce Oliver on consecutive drives for scores of 50 and 33 yards.
“Hats off to them,” said Rebels head coach Robert Evans. “They played a four-quarter game, and we basically played a two-quarter game. I thought our guys stood toe to toe. Hopefully we’ll see those guys again down the road.”
The Rebels (1-2, 0-1) were picked off on their opening drive. Sims threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Korbyn Williams three plays later to go up 7-0. Early in the second quarter, Kaleb Harris picked off John Paul Head and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown. Vestavia Hills responded on the ensuing drive, as Head capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 15-yard scoring run on fourth down.
“I thought we were the tougher team in the first half,” Evans said. “Turnovers are a big deal, but I thought we were the tougher team in the first half, and they were much tougher, much cleaner than us in the second.”
Vestavia Hills turned the ball over four times in the first half, all interceptions. The Rebels still managed to outgain Thompson 176-153 in total first-half yardage. Evans acknowledged that the Rebels aren’t quite where they need to be as a “weight room team.”
“To stand toe to toe for a half and deliver blows and fall forward, that was really encouraging,” he said.
Head was banged up on a play in the first half but returned after missing one drive. He did not play in the second half. Evans said the decision was made “in the best interest of our season.” His status is to be determined moving forward. Head finished 5-of-14 for 40 yards and four interceptions. He rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
“You’re not going to run the ball down these guys’ throats in a conventional way,” Evans said. “When we ran the quarterback and got the mathematical advantage, we had a lot of success.”
Vestavia Hills added a touchdown with 1:16 left to play on a 5-yard pass from Luke Turner to Warren Ainsworth. Turner completed 8-of-11 passes for 85 yards. Bruce Littleton also saw action at quarterback and rushed for 27 yards on eight carries. Tucker Smitha led the Rebels with four receptions for 46 yards. Grant Downey added an interception on defense.
For Thompson, Sims finished 13-of-19 for 281 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He rushed for 64 yards. Oliver caught five passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. A.J. Green paced the Warriors’ backfield with 62 yards on 14 carries.
Region 3 play doesn’t get much easier for Vestavia Hills next week, when the Rebels travel to Hoover (2-1, 1-0).
“We better focus on healing up, because it’ll be another physical game,” Evans said. “They’re massive up front on both sides, and it’s another challenge for us, but we’ll embrace the challenge.”
Evans coached at Hoover for eight seasons.
“Our people will show up, and I guess we would probably outdraw them next week,” he said. “We’ll look to white-out the Met and make it a competitive rivalry again.”
