Patriots scrap for postseason berth

The Homewood High School football team sure did not take the easy route this fall.

The Patriots put themselves in a must-win situation on Oct. 14 against Shades Valley due to a 2-2 start to Class 6A, Region 5 play. The offense had struggled most of the season. For the most part, the defense had been consistent.

But it was special teams that lifted Homewood to a critical win over Shades Valley, 27-21. The Patriots blocked consecutive punts in the first half, returning each of them for touchdowns. They also came up with another big play in the third quarter, as Shades Valley muffed a punt that Homewood fell on at the 30-yard line to set up a short field for the offense.

Homewood neared a playoff berth with the victory, but at the time of press, the Patriots still needed a win to secure its fifth straight postseason trip. In the postseason, the Patriots are no stranger to success.

According to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society, Homewood has an impressive and extensive playoff resume. Over 24 previous appearances, the Patriots have won 60 games. They have won a playoff game in each of the last three seasons.

Last fall, the Patriots knocked off Lee-Huntsville in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, 49-14. They ran up against the eventual state finalists, Clay-Chalkville, in the second round, and nearly derailed the Cougars road to the Super 7. In that contest, Homewood scored a touchdown with 3:12 to play and decided to try for the go-ahead two-point conversion. It ultimately failed, and the Patriots fell, 40-39.

Homewood qualified for the playoffs in each of Ben Berguson’s first two seasons as head coach, and four consecutive seasons overall through last year. The Patriots had a tougher road to the postseason than the previous two years, which both ended with 9-3 records. But they are battle-tested and could make a run if the right matchups present themselves.

The state playoffs are set to begin Friday, Nov. 4.