Vestavia slips past Homewood after rain delay
Vestavia Hills, AL – Buddy Anderson’s Vestavia Hills Rebels (1-0) proved to be one score better than their Over the Mountain rivals Friday night at Thompson Reynolds Stadium, besting the visiting Homewood Patriots (1-1) 17-10.
On the game’s opening drive Michael Vice put the home team on the board 7-0, scoring from just beyond the midfield stripe. Homewood answered back on their next possession as KeOnte Davis capped an eight play Patriots drive, scoring from just inside the Rebel 10 yard line and nodding the contest at seven apiece.
The Rebels marched in to the Patriot redzone before lightning and a deluge paused the rivalry clash for just short of three hours.
When play resumed Cooper Bishop paid off the long awaited Rebel drive with a five yard score putting the home-standing back in control 14-7.
Homewood pulled within four on the leg of place kicker Lane Gilcrest who nailed a three pointer from 28 yards out. The field goal proved to be as close as the 6A Patriots would get to taking out their 7A foes.
The Patriots threatened late until Larkin Williams pass into the endzone was picked off by Gyasi Hill with 20 seconds remaining, just before the clock ticked over to Saturday morning.
Eli Sawyer connected on 11 of 20 passes for 188 yards and a score. Cooper Bishop lead the Rebels on the ground with 54 yards on eight carries and a TD.
Homewood signal caller Larkin Williams accounted for 152 yards, completing 16 of 29 passes and rushing for 30 yards. Marcus McGhee snagged 8 Williams passes for 57 yards.
The Patriots and Rebels begin region play next week. Homewood hosts the Pelham Panthers (2-0) at Waldrop Stadium. Vestavia travels to Bob Finley Field to take on the Spain Park Jaguars (2-0).
