Patriots ready to respond after rivalry loss
Homewood has experience responding from a loss to Vestavia Hills.
Head coach Ben Berguson would surely like to be in a different position after the Patriots fell to their rivals for 10th consecutive season last week, but history has been kind to Homewood in recent years.
Winning streaks of nine games in 2012, eight in 2013, nine in 2014 and four in 2015 have immediately followed for Homewood after losing to Vestavia Hills in the first or second game of the season.
That doesn’t mean the Patriots are happy about losing 20-3, though. 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.
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 losing a fumble.
“We’re going through some growing pains right now offensively, especially on our O-line,” said Homewood head coach Ben Berguson following the game. “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 26 yards. Junior running back Nick McCoy rushed five times for 63 yards. Larkin Williams finished 9-of-13 passing for 62 yards.
Friday's game against Parker begins the ever-important Class 6A, Region 5 schedule. While the first two games of the season are noteworthy – the 21-14 win over Pelham and the loss to Vestavia Hills – the region games are what determine a team’s playoff standing.
Parker opened its season last week with a 7-0 shutout win over 7A opponent Huffman. The Thundering Herd capitalized on a muffed punt near midfield and scored. Huffman had a chance to tie late but was unable to do so.
Homewood and Parker have never met on the field, but the Thundering Herd is coming off a 7-5 campaign, with head coach Andre Robinson in his second stint coaching the team.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Waldrop Stadium.