Losing streak to Rebels continues for Patriots
Make it 10 in a row for Vestavia Hills.
Vestavia Hills did not attempt a pass in the second half because it wasn’t necessary, pounding its way to a 20-3 season-opening win over Homewood at Thompson Reynolds Stadium.
It is the 10th year in a row that the Rebels (1-0) came out victorious over the Patriots (1-1). The last time Homewood beat Vestavia Hills was Oct. 27, 2006, a 28-10 victory.
“We always like coming out here and beating them because we’re all friends so it’s always nice,” said Vestavia Hills senior running back Toliver Chatwood. “It’s a friendly competition. We always want to come out and start the year with a nice win, especially against a rival.”
Chatwood capped an 11-play opening drive with a two-yard dive into the end zone to give Vestavia Hills a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. Junior running back William Schaffeld bolted 10 yards for the game’s only other touchdown with 11:14 remaining in the second quarter.
Homewood cut into the deficit with 7:23 remaining until halftime when junior Ibrahima Sylla booted a 37-yard field goal. Vestavia Hills responded on the ensuing drive, and senior Manraj Singh split the uprights with his own 37-yard field goal as time expired, providing the Rebels with a 17-3 halftime lead. Singh made good on another 37-yarder early in the fourth quarter for the game’s final points.
The game could have been a lot closer. Homewood reached the Vestavia Hills 5-yard line on its first drive of the second quarter, but had to settle for a field goal after a bad snap, an ineligible receiver penalty on a would-be touchdown pass and a negative rushing play. In the fourth quarter, Homewood marched 62 yards to the Vestavia Hills 14-yard line before sophomore quarterback Larkin Williams lost a fumble.
“We’re going through some growing pains right now offensively, especially on our O-line,” said Homewood head coach Ben Berguson. “We’ve got a lot to work on.”
Vestavia Hills amassed 221 rushing yards in the game and did not attempt a pass in the second half.
“It’s good,” Berguson said of the Vestavia Hills run game. “They’re so well-coached and they do things right. And that’s where they beat you -- up front.”
For Homewood, senior running back Chestin Jones rushed seven times for just 26 yards. Junior running back Nick McCoy rushed five times for 63 yards. Williams finished 9-of-13 passing for 62 yards.
Vestavia Hills came up with two turnovers, an interception by Tucker Queen and a fumble recovery by Travis Saunders.
“They did wonders for us,” Chatwood said of the defense. “It could have been a lot closer than it was. I can’t say enough about our defense.”
Berguson said the 10 consecutive losses to the Rebels has “gotten to be where it’s all mental with us now.”
“If we could ever get over that hump we’d be OK,” Berguson said.
Berguson noted that the Patriots have won nine consecutive games the past four years after losing to Vestavia Hills. Homewood hosts Parker on Friday, Sept. 2.
“We’ll be back,” he said.