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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills running back Carter Stagner (12) runs the ball during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills running back Carter Stagner (12) dives over Westside cornerback Terrance Estrich (1) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills running back Major Weaver (1) avoids a tackle by Westside defensive end Mondrekius Norris (28) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills running back Major Weaver (1) celebrates his touchdown with teammate offensive lineman Luke Larisey (74) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Westside wide receiver Jae White (9) avoids a tackle by Vestavia Hills cornerback Carson Creel (37) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans shakes hands with Westside head coach Cedric Mason after a dominating 49 to 7 win on Friday, Aug. 22, 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 Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills quarterback Charlie Taaffe (11) avoids a tackle by Westside nose guard DJ Milner (44) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia ball boys working hard during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans addresses his team after a dominating 49 to 7 win over Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia ball boy masters ball control during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia band entertains the crowd during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills tight end Braxton Hunt (22) blocks Westside tight end Joseph Brady West (18) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Westside running back Damauri Robinson (22) avoids a tackle by Vestavia Hills defensive lineman Liam Boryczka (28) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Westside wide receiver Jae White (9) is brought down by Vestavia Hills cornerback Will Bochnak (9) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills running back Noah Boylan (2) is tackled by Westside middle linebacker Jaxx Wilson (8) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills quarterback Charlie Taaffe (11) is sacked by Westside tight end Joseph Brady West (18) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills tight end Will Ainsworth (88) and Vestavia Hills offensive lineman Pearson Tucker (54) celebrate in the endzone during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills defensive lineman Paxton Ussery (50) tackles Westside wide receiver Jae White (9) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills kicker Sloan Morgan (20) punts the ball during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Westside running back Keylan Powell (5) is tackled by Vestavia Hills defensive lineman Morgan Butler (97) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia Hills safety Walker Hogue (26) attempts to block a punt during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 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 play with a player during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia players warmup before a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills quarterback Charlie Taaffe (11) passes the ball during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia Hills head coach Robert Evans paces the sideline during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Westside defensive back Jacob Lewis (11) breaks up a pass to Vestavia Hills wide receiver Luke Stubbs (14) during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Vestavia cheerleaders celebrate before a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
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Vestavia students cheer on their team during a game between Vestavia and Westside on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. Photo by David Leong.
The Vestavia Hills High School football team opened its 2025 season with a dominant performance.
The Rebels routed visiting Westside, last year’s South Carolina Class AAAA runner-up, 49-7 win — a stark contrast to starting last season 0-3.
“I thought we came out really fast and that was kind of the message,” said Rebels’ head coach Robert Evans. “We were going to take the ball and try to impose our will early, and I thought we did that.”
Quarterback Charlie Taaffe threw for 161 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 96 yards on the ground and two more scores.
His top target was Grayson Harper, who caught three passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
All of Taaffe’s and Harper’s touchdowns came in the first half, helping the Rebels build a 42-7 lead at the break.
This was the first meeting between the programs.
Vestavia Hills hosts fellow Class 7A foe Auburn next Thursday in a non-region matchup.
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