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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Sean Smyth (15) in a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Toliver Chatwood (37) in a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Toliver Chatwood (37) in a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Coleman Petway (14) in a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Coleman Petway (14) in a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Steven Thackerson (22) in a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Vestavia Hills' Steven Thackerson (22) in a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
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Jimmy J. Mitchell
Vestavia Hills Football
Action from a game between Vestavia Hills and Shades Valley on Friday, October 28, 2016, at Frank Nix Stadium in Irondale, Alabama.
IRONDALE -- Four big plays were all Shades Valley needed.
The Mounties scored on plays of 69, 58, 75 and 87 yards and defeated visiting Vestavia Hills 28-13 on Friday night at Frank Nix Stadium, the final game of 2016 for both teams. Vestavia Hills finishes the season with a 5-5 record. The Mounties finish with the same record.
“They had four big plays,” Rebels head coach Buddy Anderson said. “They just beat us.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Vestavia Hills got on the board first when senior Manraj Singh kicked a 26-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter. Tucker Queen then recovered a fumble for the Rebels, and Singh capped the ensuing drive with a 33-yard field goal.
Shades Valley answered with 5:38 remaining until halftime when junior quarterback Desmond Trotter connected with senior wide receiver Trenton Johnson for a 69-yard touchdown. Vestavia Hills went three-and-out, and Shades Valley senior Reynard Ellis scored three plays later on a 58-yard run, giving Shades Valley a 14-6 halftime edge.
Vestavia Hills sophomore quarterback Sean Smyth took over for junior Coleman Petway, who exited the game with a shoulder injury, and fumbled on the first drive of the second half. Ellis, who doubles as Shades Valley’s middle linebacker, scooped up the ball and ran it 75 yards for a touchdown. The Mounties scored again with 6:43 remaining in the third quarter when Trotter found Johnson again, this time for an 87-yard bomb over the top of the defense. Shades Valley led 28-6 entering the fourth quarter.
Vestavia Hills scored its lone touchdown when Smyth lobbed a 5-yard pass to sophomore Michael Vice with 10:04 to play in the game.
Vestavia Hills TD against Shades Valley
Sophomore quarterback Sean Smyth connects with fellow sophomore Michael Vice for a 5-yard touchdown against Shades Valley on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016.
Petway finished the first half 3-of-3 for 27 yards and nine yards rushing. Smyth, despite the fumble on the first drive of the third quarter, filled in admirably and provided a spark for the Rebels. He completed 5-of-10 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed six times for 73 yards.
“I saw a lot of spunk,” Anderson said. “He made one mistake. That happens.”
Senior running back Toliver Chatwood finished with 36 yards on 14 carries for Vestavia Hills. Junior running back William Schaffeld finished with 26 yards on 11 carries. For Shades Valley, Trotter completed 6-of-9 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 12 times for 60 yards. Johnson caught three passes for 162 yards and two scores. Ellis rushed 10 times for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Anderson praised his seniors after their final game.
“They’ve fought hard,” he said. “Had some good games. I’ll always remember that Mountain Brook game, double overtime win. I’m proud of them, and I love them.”
Vestavia Hills senior offensive tackle Patrick Nuss said this year’s team was one that not many people believed would win five games.
“I’m so proud of how we fought,” Nuss said.
He said he’s been playing with this group since sixth grade.
“I love them all,” he said. “We fight.”
Nuss, who is off to play at Western Kentucky University after high school, believes the future is bright for Vestavia Hills. He said the Rebels have many young players who will contribute in a big way in the future.
“I’m going to come back and see these guys every chance I get,” Nuss said. “This is my family down here.”
Anderson, who just completed his 39th season as the Vestavia Hills head coach, was asked if he’d be returning for a 40th season.
“As long as the good Lord wants me to,” he said.
