Patriots, Rebels renew rivalry
Homewood High School was founded in 1972. While many things change in 44 years, one thing has been constant from the beginning.
The Patriots have played Vestavia Hills on the football field every year since Homewood's inception, and that rivalry will continue on Friday night, as the teams square off at Thompson Reynolds Stadium on the campus of Vestavia Hills High School at 7 p.m.
Last week, Homewood struggled with Pelham in the inaugural Milo's Breakfast Kickoff Classic at Samford, but a blocked punt from Antarius Mitchell provided the fourth-quarter momentum shift the Patriots needed to take the 21-14 win.
That victory had ramifications beyond the opening week of the season.
“We needed this confidence, because we’ve got a big time opponent next week in Vestavia," Homewood head coach Ben Berguson said following the game. "We need a lot of confidence going into that game."
Friday's game marks the beginning of Buddy Anderson’s 39th season as the head coach of the Vestavia Hills football program.
Many teams played their first regular season game last week, but the Rebels elected to play a jamboree game against Briarwood Christian School and 27th-year coach Fred Yancey last Friday.
“I don’t feel like we’re ready to play a game on that third week (of fall practice),” Anderson said. “Some people are. I’d like for our team to get better as the year goes on, and we’re not ready on that third week to play a full football game.”
Anderson has undoubtedly learned a thing or two in his many years of coaching, and hopes his team is adequately prepared to renew a longstanding rivalry against the Patriots.
The Rebels hold a 26-18 edge in the series, and are looking to extend the longest winning streak for either side in the rivalry.
Vestavia has knocked off the Patriots each of the last nine meetings, including a 41-7 drubbing in 2015.
Homewood running back Chestin Jones mentioned the long streak after the Pelham game, and a repeat performance from the opener will go a long way toward downing the Rebels. Jones ran for 111 yards on 26 carries, scoring all three of his touchdowns in the final 16 minutes of game action.
Larkin Williams and Ty Hatcher will likely split the quarterback reps once again for the Patriots. Each completed just one pass against Pelham, but the Patriots expect both to continue to grow more comfortable as the season progresses.
Under Anderson, Vestavia has been known for its run-first offensive attack, originating out of the option. Last year’s offense was potent under quarterback Brett Jones and running back Walker Minor. Cole Pettway will get the first chance to replace Jones, and Toliver Chatwood is expected to see an increase in carries this season.
That offensive scheme is becoming less common with each passing year in football, as spread attacks rule the landscape. But no matter what era the Rebels are playing in, the responsibilities of opposing defenses remains the same.
“It makes people play assignment football,” Anderson said. “You can’t just load the box, which is what we see.”