Rebels rumble past Patriots

It hit like a lightning bolt, and the streak rolled on like thunder.

Vestavia Hills hit on a long pass less than a minute into the game, and then the familiar rumble of the Rebels running game did the rest.

When it was over -- after Mother Nature delivered her own fireworks -- the Rebels had delivered their ninth straight win in the series over their rival Homewood Patriots 41-7 on Friday night at Waldrop Stadium.

Homewood dropped to 1-1.

"We just got whipped on both sides of the ball," Patriots coach Ben Berguson said.

It was 21-0 after a quarter and 28-0 at the half.

The Rebels (1-0) scored on their first three possessions. On the second snap from scrimmage, Brett Jones found Nolan Turner open deep for a 63-yard score. Curry Howard's extra point was good and the Rebels led 7-0 with just 55 seconds elapsed.

"That play kind of took the wind out of our sails," Berguson said.

After a Patriots three-and-out, Vestavia did it the old-school Vestavia way, driving 63 yards in 10 plays, throwing just one pass. Walker Minor did the heavy lifting, hauling the ball seven of those times, including the final one for 3 yards. Howard's PAT made it 14-0 with 4:23 left in the first quarter.

After the kickoff, Patriots quarterback Carson Griffis was picked off by Tucker Queen, who returned the ball to the 4. William Schaffeld took it in from there and it was 21-0 after a quarter.

The teams swapped interceptions in the second quarter. But after a shanked Patriots punt, the Rebels took over at their 46 and drove 54 yards for another TD. Six running plays later, Minor banged in from the 2. The Howard kick made it 28-0 with 46 seconds left, and it went that way to intermission.

With the final note of the host Homewood band still hanging in the air, a fierce thunderstorm with lightning all but completed the damper on the home crowd. A mandated lightning delay lasted until 9:40 p.m.and sent many of the fans home.

The Patriots faithful saw a brief glimmer of light when Antarios Mitchell picked up a Rebel fumble and rambled in for a score with 10:20 left in the third quarter.

But the Rebels went back to the ground for another drive that culminated in a 2-yard Minor TD.

Vestavia iced it after a bad snap on a Pat punt set the Rebels up for another 7-yard TD run by Schaffeld with 5:16 left.

The Patriot reserves mounted a drive but couldn't score again. Several starters, including Griffis and running back Derrick Underwood saw little to no action after halftime.

Sophomore quarterback Ty Hatcher and running back Nick McCoy showed signs of promise and Andrew Cleveland made a couple of catches on deep passes.

"I don't know exactly what our injury status is right now. I hope Carson's OK, and I know Derrick was a little banged up. Just being more safe than sorry.

"Our main thing is we got to regroup now and get ready for region play, get ready for Pelham," Berguson said.

The Panthers (0-1) visit Homewood Friday at 7 as Class 6A, Region 5 play begins for the Patriots.