Dan Starnes
The Patriots take the field against Vestavia Hills.
No one knows how a team will react after a loss to an archrival. There are essentially two ways you can go: You fight back or you fold.
Coaches will tell you there is nothing worse than losing two games because you lost one. In other words, not getting that first loss out of your system and letting it affect preparation during the week and your psyche once the game kicks off.
Homewood coach Ben Berguson doesn’t believe that’s going to happen to his Patriots.
“It was a humbling loss,” the Patriots coach said of the 41-7 manhandling by the Vestavia Hills Rebels, which was the Rebels’ ninth-straight win in the 44-game series. “But we’ve got a lot to play for.”
The Patriots have won 21 straight region games, and as they open Class 6A, Region 5 play at home against Pelham on Friday, they have that and the quest to win their region for a fourth straight time.
“I don’t think I’ll have to say too much this week. They’ll be fired up,” Berguson said.
Berguson pointed out that the Pats started last season 0-2 and then won nine straight to advance to the second round of the 6A playoffs. At 1-1, with the opening win over Decatur, they’re ahead of the game in that respect.
They may not face a more physical team in the regular season than the Rebels, but Homewood clearly was whipped on both sides of the ball, Berguson said.
That can’t be a trend for Homewood to do what it wants to do this season.
The Patriots left the game a little banged up. Starting quarterback Carson Griffis sprained the wrist on his throwing hand and was relieved by sophomore Ty Hatcher in the second half. Running back Derrick Underwood, who accounted for 280 yards of total offense in the opener, managed 58 yards on 13 carries, all but two coming in the first half before he left with an injured wrist.
Trainers said Underwood could have returned, but down 28-7 at the time, Berguson said it was “better to be safe than sorry.”
X-rays on Griffis were negative, and he stayed in the game as punter. Odds are he will play Friday. Even if he can’t throw the ball as well as normal, his running ability will be needed against the Panthers.
New Panthers coach Tom Causey, who had a successful career at Demopolis, will be looking for his first win at his new school. Pelham (0-1) dropped its opener against rival Thompson 43-13. The Panthers had trouble stopping the 7A Warriors’ running game, so expect Homewood to open some holes for Underwood and Griffis.
Offensively, former Patriot Griffin Rivers, who transferred to Pelham before school started, is starting at quarterback. Rivers, who was a mainstay in the Patriots’ secondary, was 7-of-22 passing for 63 yards against Thompson. Berguson is impressed with a couple of receivers he said can make big plays, Jalen Smith and Elisha Hudson.
Homewood won last year’s meeting of these schools in comeback fashion 37-30 behind a career rushing night for Griffis.
Kickoff on Bob Newton Field at Waldrop Stadium is 7 p.m. and the game closes a season-opening three-game home stand. The Patriots hit the road next week to face region foe Briarwood Christian before returning home to face John Carroll Catholic for homecoming on Sept. 18.
