Vestavia Hills’ Robert Evans shakes hands with Mountain Brook football coach Chris Yeager, who got the best of his former assistant 24-14 last Thursday, spoiling Evans’ head coaching debut. But Yeager believes Evans will get the Rebels’ program on the right track.
Coffee Break
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM NEWSOTMJ THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2022
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“That program over there is a lot different than it was a year ago,” Yeager said. “It’s in good hands now. I’ve never been so happy to have a game in my rearview mirror. Maybe now we can go back to having coffee together.”
WE LOVE FOOTBALL!
FUN AND GAMES!
Over the Mountain high schools have kicked off their seasons, and we want to make sure you’re as pre pared as your favorite team. Inside you’ll find our annual pull-out special section spotlighting every school in our coverage area. Read about talented players to watch on the field, meet the new coaches who are pacing the sidelines, and check out each team’s prospects for the exciting weeks ahead. We also take a look back at Homewood’s first football team in1972 and how that team established the Patriots’ winning tradtion. Above, the 2022 Homewood football team is escorted onto the field at Samford Universtiy last Friday where the Patriots took on John Carroll Catholic to open the season.
For more on the game and how the rest of the OTM area schools did last week see page 24.
FOOTBALL AUGUST 25, 2022 q OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OTMJ.COMHIGHMOUNTAINOVER2022THESCHOOLBRIARWOODPAGE6 Lions Face ChallengingRoad in Quest to KeepPlayoff Streak Alive Senior Quarterback Gives Patriots Hope for aSuccessful Season HOMEWOODPAGE8 New Bucs Coach WaldropNot Feeling the PressureEntering His First Season HOOVERPAGE10 Young Cavaliers Lookingto Move Forward in Mara’s Third Season JOHNPAGECARROLL12 Spartans Focusing onFundamentals as TheyPursue Deep Playoff Run MOUNTAIN BROOK PAGE 14 Crane Believes Eagles Havethe Players to Make AnotherPlayoff Run OAKPAGEMOUNTAIN16 New Spain Park CoachVakakes Hopes Hard WorkLeads to Winning SPAINPAGEPARK18 Evans Preparing Rebels forChallenging Season in HisReturn to His Alma Mater VESTAVIA HILLS PAGE 20 Inside Team Profiles • Key Players to WatchSchedules Team Pictures Homewood’s First Football Team in 1972Established a Winning Tradition PAGE 4 Top Cat: Clemson-Bound Vizzina LooksBack on Briarwood Career PAGE 2 PREVIEW Christopher Vizzina Woods Ray Ahmari Williams Carson McFadden John Colvin Garrett Murphy Zamir Farris John Paul Head INSIDE
SOCIAL
2 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALOPINION/CONTENTS OVER THE MOUNTAIN JO U RNA L August 25, 2022 Vol. 33, No. 2 Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com. Copyright 2022 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved. The Journal is not responsible for return of photos, copy and other unsolicited materials submitted. To have materials returned, please specify when submitting and provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All materials submitted are subject to editorial review and may be edited or declined without notification. Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald Copy Editor: Virginia Martin Features Writer: Donna Cornelius Staff Writer: Anne Ruisi Photographer: Jordan Wald Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant Contributors: Susan Murphy, June Mathews, Emil Wald, Marvin Gentry, Lee Walls, Bryan Bunch Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Gail Kidd ABOUT TOWN 4 NEWS 8 LIFE 10 SOCIAL 14 SCHOOLS 20 SPORTS 24 With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter. Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area. To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too. otmj.com
Go Mighty Shrimp!
Blaze Likes Boiling N’ Bragging
Murphy’s Law My grandchildren and I watched “Zombies 3” this past weekend. I was grateful for the sequel if for no other reason than it meant I would not be hearing the soundtrack from Zombies 2 on repeat whenever we were together in the Ifcar.you’re unfamiliar with the series, let me fill you in a bit: In Zombies 1, zombies leave their isolation and become part of the human community. For Zombies 2, a pack of werewolves joins the crowd. In Zombies 3, there was nowhere to go except to have a giant spaceship land and unleash a bunch of aliens. All of the action is set to music and there are some real ly high-tech dance numbers (those werewolves can really bust a move), so it has been fun being along on the Zombie ride. Of course, it’s all fantasy. The thing that is most unbelievable to me about the series is that all of these disparate groups would elect to jump into society at the high school level. They sheath their claws and rein in their alien superpow ers so they can become cheerleaders and stars of the football team (Go Mighty Shrimp!). Later, of course, crossing the goal line and enthusiastically cheering on the sidelines ends up saving the world many times over. Such is the power of high school football. I did not play football in high school. At the time I was (a) the wrong gender and (b) of slight and breakable build, not to mention that I was (and am) averse to being knocked to the turf for hours on end. I wasn’t a cheer leader either. No back handspring in my repertoire. I could barely eke out a cartwheel. And so, I attended the games as a lowly spectator, a role that had its own share of glorious wins and agonizing defeats. Football games were the pinnacle of social life in high school. There were posters and pep rallies and so much hoopla that at times it seemed like the whole going-to-class thing was an after thought. And I have to tell you, while a lot of preparation went into the plays made between the goal posts, it paled in comparison to the plays that were exe cuted in the stands. All week, you confabbed with your BFF over what to wear, which was of course so similar to what she was wear ing that you might have been twins sep arated at birth. You wanted to arrive early enough to get a decent seat (which had little to do with viewing the game) but not so early that you were the first ones there and would risk having other people pass you by and choose to sit elsewhere. Then there was your entrance. Returning a kickoff for 100 yards was nothing compared to the skill involved in crossing the same 100 yards in front of the stands. You wanted to appear cool, eyes focused ahead as if you actually were cool, and to move with a nonchalance that had to be rehearsed days earlier in your driveway.Thecheerleaders were always front and center and the rest of us who had failed at tryouts would cheer when it was socially expedient, but most of the time we spent talking with our bench mates and watching everyone else as they crossed in front of the stands trying to appear cool.I’m sure there were zombies/werewolves/aliens who struggled like that, too. You’re just not going to hear about them. At least not right now. It will come up years later in Hangtherapy.inthere, Mighty Shrimp. Sue Murphy
Over the Mountain Views
Inside THIS NEST IS JUST RIGHT Fuzzy gray flaminglets are the first flamingos hatched at the Birmingham Zoo PAGE 6 NEVER FORGET OTM cities to hold Patriot Day programs PAGE 8 PUPPY LOVE Merlin’s ‘Magic’ captivates kids at Vestavia Elementary West PAGE 20 ALL-IN Designer Kenya Buchanan trad ed her desk for Fashion Week in New York PAGE 10
UAB cheerleaders and Blaze, the school’s mascot, made new friends at Rotary’s Boiling N’ Bragging pre-season tail gate party at in Mountain Brook to benefit critical care transport at Children’s of Alabama. See more on page 18.
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Returning a kickoff for 100 yards was nothing compared to the skill involved in crossing the same 100 yards in front of the stands.
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 3OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL ABOUT TOWN HELPING EVERY ATHLETE HIT THEIR STRIDE. UAB SPORTS & EXERCISE MEDICINE uabmedicine.org/sports 205-930-8339 ACTIVE LIFESTYLES. DAILY EXERCISE. COMPETITIVE SPORTS. With board-certified professionals and state-of-the-art technology, our focus is on helping everyone who wants to lead active lifestyles. We specialize in treating athletes of all kinds, from pro to amateur athletes or just people who want to stay active and exercise regularly. All can benefit from our experience and expertise. Make an appointment today. STRIDE.
The Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ much-anticipated Fall Plant Sale will be held Sept. 10 at the gar dens.Dozens of varieties of natives, perennials, tropicals, herbs, ferns, camellias, trees and shrubs will be for sale, and shoppers can get advice from seasoned gardeners at the event. Only checks and major credit cards will be Proceedsaccepted.from the sale will sup port the friends’ mission to protect, nurture and share the Gardens with the Inpublic.achange this year, shoppers can preorder bedding plants at the sale and pick them up Oct. 8. The sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Gardens’ Formal Lawn and in the Hill Garden. Priority shopping for members of the friends group will be 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the Friday before, on Sept. 10. Members also will receive their annual plant gift, courtesy of Leaf & Petal. “Fall is a wonderful time to plant, and the Friends’ annual Fall Plant Sale offers our community a terrific opportunity to talk with experts about plants that thrive in Southern gardens and to discover tried-and-true tips and tricks for caring for them,” Tom Underwood, executive director of the friends group, said in a press release from the UnderwoodGardens.said the Gardens, its staff and volunteers educate thou sands of schoolchildren a year about the science of plants and grow thou sands of pounds of fresh vegetables that are distributed to people in need in the community. He said the friends group helps maintain, improve and promote the Gardens.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama Junior Board brings together some of the best Southeastern breweries in one place for a fun night that supports RMHCA’s mission. The voter’s choice award gives one deserving brewery big bragging rights and a traveling trophy until the next Sweet Home Brews. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: Pepper Place Sat., Aug. 27 Save The O’s The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation hosts the annual Save the O’s chip timed 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run. This event is held in memory of Lori Johnson and the 14,000 women who die each year from ovarian cancer. When: Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. Where: Greystone Golf and Country Club
For more information about the sale, visit bbgardens.org/fallplantsale.
Just A Call Away Crisis Center, Inc. presents the eighth annual Just A Call Away. Participants have three options to participate: a live chip-timed 5K, an in-person fun run, or a virtual 5K. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. When: 8 a.m. Where: Patriot Park Tailgate Challenge The Bell Center for Early Intervention will host its annual fundraiser to celebrate the upcoming football season. The event will include tailgate food tastings created by various teams, along with live music, kidfriendly events, team spirit and more. When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: The Bell Center Fairy Tale Ball Ready your shiny suit of armor, dress in your most sparkly ball gown, or throw on a super hero cape as Childcare Resources will host its annual kid-friendly gala, including a silent auction, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and more. When: 5:30 p.m. Where: Hyatt Regency Birmingham, The Wynfrey Hotel 20 Years of Cahaba Heights The Cahaba Heights Merchants, City of Vestavia Hills and the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce have joined together to celebrate 20 Years of Cahaba Heights saying “Yes” to annexation into Vestavia Hills. Music by the M-80s, a variety of vendors and food and beverages available from Heights Village restaurants. When: 6 - 9 p.m. Where: Heights Village in Cahaba Heights Thurs., Sept. 8 Gospel Music Concert Tickets are on sale for a concert by the Grammy award-winning Gaither Vocal Band at www.shades.org/ events. When: 7-9 p.m. Where: Shahes Mountain Baptist Church. cookmuseum.org
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Birmingham Children’s Theatre performs an interactive 45-minute play recommended for children ages up to 5 years. When: Various dates and times. Where: Birmingham Children’s Theatre at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Fri., Aug. 26
Aug. 25
4 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALABOUT TOWN
AutumnBounty Botanical Gardens’ Fall Plant Sale Set for Sept. 10
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Classical Indian Music Concert Grammy Award winner Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Subhen Chatterjee perform in a free concert of classical Indian music. When: 6:30-8 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art Aug. 25-27 Lil Lambs Consignment Consignment sale of children’s clothing, toys, furniture and other items. When: Times vary based on day Where: Trinity United Methodist Church, Homewood Aug. 25 - Sept. 24
Sweet Home Brews
AUG 25 - SEPT 8
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 5OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL ABOUT TOWN
Guests are invited to dress in “wild chic,” expressing their inner party animal in their favorite feathers, stripes, spots or scales. The zoo’s Instagram account, @bhamzoo, offers fashionable ideas. Honorary chairs for the event are the Collat and Goedecke families, wellknown, longtime Birmingham-area philanthropists. The Collat family owns Mayer Electric Supply Company Inc. Event co-chairs are Rosemary Alexander, Stephanie Cooper and Dr. Anthony C. Hood. General admission tickets are $250 each, or $1,000 for a “crash” of five. Animal encounter/VIP tickets with an exclusive animal experience and access to the Watering Hole, which includes a private bar, balcony and indoor access, are $425, with only 50 spots available. Watering Hole/VIP tickets are $350Foreach.more information, or to get tickets, go to www.birminghamzoo.com/ event/wildatheart. Event Chair Team: Stephanie Cooper, Co-Chair; Alex Morton, First Horizon; Nancy Goedecke, Honorary Chair; Dr. Anthony C. Hood, Co-Chair; and Rosemary Alexander, Co-Chair.
Wild at Heart: Rhino Crash Zoo Fundraiser Set for Sept. 8
The Altamont School will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding as The Birmingham University School on Sept. 10, according to a school news release. The evening event will be held at the school, which will include a dinner. The school was founded in 1922 to provide college preparation for the sons of families driving Birmingham’s rapid physical, financial and cultur al growth. In 1975, it joined with the Brooke Hill School for Girls to form The Altamont School. Altamont plans later this fall to dedicate a his torical marker at the former Birmingham University School building on 28th Street. Those who are interested in attending the cele bration or who want more information can go to www.buscentennial.com or contact the organizers at 100years@altamontschool.org.
Altamont Celebrates Centennial on Sept 10
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Students and teachers of Birmingham University School, c. 1925.
6 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALABOUT TOWN
This Nest is Just Right Fuzzy Gray Flaminglets Are the First Flamingos Hatched at the Birmingham Zoo
By Anne Ruisi You could say the Birmingham Barons direct ed the stork to the Birmingham Zoo’s American flamingo exhibit earlier this summer when, for the first time, two baby flamingos were hatched. That’s because soil from the pitch er’s mound at the Barons’ home stadi um at Regions Field persuaded the future parents to build nests and hatch their babies, called flaminglets. “It’s a big deal for us because it’s the first time they’ve hatched. Not everyone’s flamingos will hatch,” Hollie Colahan, the zoo’s deputy director, said. “You have to have everything right for them.” Everything right means happy, healthy birds and the exact type of soil composition that will inspire fla mingos to build nests.
While it takes about a year for a baby flamingo’s soft gray down to molt into the beautiful pink and coral feathers that make a flamingo so dis tinctive, the process is beginning on these little ones. Eversole extends one of Baron’s wings a bit and shows how he’s starting to get his pink, coral and white flight feathers. The underside edge of the wing is black, just as it is in theFlamingosadults. can fly, but the zoo trims the birds’ wings so they don’t take off. If there is a strong wind and they hop the fence, the birds want to return to the enclosure because they are flock animals, Eversole said. “We gently bring them back” if they need some help, she said. During the day Pinecone and Baron roam the flamingo exhibit, which has an island where their nests were built and a large pond. At night the little ones are safely tucked into the flamingo building. “There are still (wild) hawks, rap tor and mink” that roam the area, Eversole said.
Above, Baron – named for the team – eventually came about after the Barons donated the soil, called pitcher’s clay.
The little birds, Pinecone and Baron – named for the team – eventu ally came about after the Barons donated the soil, called pitcher’s clay, when the pitcher’s mound was switched out with new soil, said Jennifer Ogilvie, the zoo’s marketing and public relations manager. Pitcher’s clay is a combination of clay and sand. After the soil was taken in, the birds did the rest, includ ing building the nest and making sure it was nice and wet so they could manipulate it to get it just right. The nests can be up to 2½ feet tall but are worn down a bit since the chicks were hatched about seven weeks ago, said Kristen Eversole, a zoo birdkeeper who works with the flamingos. While they are now on the same special diet as the adult flamingos, at first the parents dribbled crop milk into their mouths to feed them, Eversole said. “The parents are very involved,” Eversole said. “Pinecone’s parents took good care of him, but Baron’s parents rejected him at five days.”
While zoo staff doesn’t know why he was rejected, Baron had to be hand fed by zoo staff and is the more out going of the two. He’s a noisy little bird who chirps loudly and constantly around people because “if he sees a human, he thinks he’s going to get food,” Eversole said. Baron weighs about 4.4 pounds, and Pinecone is about 3.3 pounds, she said.Seen from a distance on a recent sweltering afternoon, the 19 flamin gos at the Birmingham Zoo stand so still in their classic one-legged stance that they almost appear to be yard decorations. The cute little balls of gray fluff making their way on stick-like legs through the tall green grass of the exhibit trigger movement by the adults, who leisurely strut about their enclosure as the little birds rush to the fence to greet visitors.
The Birmingham Zoo is debuting a reimagined version of its marquee fundraising event on Sept. 8 – Wild at Heart: Rhino Crash. No, this isn’t a rhinoceros showdown. Crash is what a group of rhinos is called.The event will feature an evening at the zoo’s plaza with food, an auction, open bar and live music by Yacht Rock Schooner, according to a zoo news release.Theevent, presented by First Horizon Bank, will be from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with entry at 5:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders.
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 7OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL ABOUT TOWN TEMPUR-PEDIC • BEAUTYREST • SEALY • NECTAR • STEARNS & FOSTER • PURPLE Birmingham Owned and Operated Since 1994 bedzzzexpress .com LABOR DAY SALE
By Anne Ruisi In its 81 years, the Homewood Public Library has had just seven directors, with Judith Wright as its newest“It’sleader.anall-encompassing position. There are a lot of things you don’t learn about when you’re in library school,” Wright said, such as dealing with bills, and the painting and car peting that are components of the library’s upcoming renovation. Set in a tranquil setting on Oxmoor Road across the street from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and surrounded by Edgewood’s dis tinctive residential homes, the library is the busiest library in Alabama that serves a community of 25,000 to 50,000 people, Wright said. “We host 100-plus events a month. That includes story time, book clubs, computer classes,” the Montgomery
nativeThosesaid.activities are just a sample of the traditional events libraries offer. Homewood’s fall events calendar is laid out in a 16-page calendar book featuring events in sections for chil dren, teens and adults, technology classes, movie showings and library services for Spanish speakers. Among the activities are special events such as Trick or Treat for chil dren on Halloween, sushi classes and a Teen CinePhone Film Contest in September, and a pet loss support group and Dungeons and Dragons workshops for adults. In a special event Aug. 16, the library was turned into the scene of the crime for a Roaring Twenties mur der mystery game as part of an F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald theme for August. The adults-only evening fea tured guests dressed in 1920s gear sipping mocktails as they solved the “murder.” Wright said she went out and bought a flapper-style dress for the “Wenight.like to think of ourselves as a cultural and a community center. We think about what our community wants and needs,” Wright said.
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Joint OTM Remembrance Vestavia Hills, Homewood and Mountain Brook will hold their annual joint event on Sept. 11, Lt. Michael Keller, public information officer for the Vestavia Hills Police Department, said. The remembrance ceremony and Patriot Day celebration will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Vestavia Hills City Hall. Michael A. Williams of Birmingham will be the keynote speaker.Williams retired from the U.S. Secret Service after a three-decade career that included protection details for former presidents. He was special agent in charge of the Birmingham Field Office with exec utive oversight for Alabama and Mississippi. He is a Birmingham native who grew up in Ensley. The three municipalities alternate holding the annual event on Sept. 11 each year to pay respects to and honor those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks, the department said in a news Commemoratingrelease. the lives lost and sacrifices made on Sept. 11 “remind our officers and firefighters of what sacrifice can look like and to pay respect to fallen first responders,” the news release said.
Homewood library is the busiest library in Alabama that serves a community of 25,000 to 50,000 people.
8 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALNEWS
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By Anne Ruisi Over the Mountain municipalities are preparing to hold commemorative events to mark the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Hoover will observe the anniversa ry Sept. 10 beginning at 9 a.m. with a ceremony and stair climb at the Riverchase Galleria. The ceremony will be held in the Galleria food court. Specific details of the event, such as the guest speaker, still are being set, said Officer Brian Hale, the police department’s public information officer. The speaker usu ally shares their experience of Sept. 11 and talks about how police and firefighters responded on that day, HaleThesaid.stair climb will begin right after the ceremony and will be held at the Galleria Towers. The climb will be the equivalent of 110 stories to commemorate the number of stories in each of the World Trade Center towers in New York City that fell after terrorists crashed passenger jets into the Whilebuildings.theceremony is free, those who want to climb need to buy a tick et and register. Climbers will receive a T-shirt, which will be for sale at the event. Proceeds will benefit the Hoover Public Safety Charity. Tickets are $30. Go to eventbrite.com and search for Hoover Climb to Remember to buy tickets. Or call fire department headquarters at 205-4447655 for more information.
OTM Cities to Hold Patriot Day Programs
Librarian Wasn’t the First Plan When she was young, Wright said, she didn’t know she would be a librarian. As a student she volunteered in the school library, but by the time she went off to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she thought her career path would lead to becom ing a museum curator. But there weren’t a lot of jobs in the field when she graduated with a
See LIBRARY, page 9
Hoover firefighters at last year’s stair climb to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Right, the joint OTM Rembrance held last year in Mountian Brook.
‘Our Doors Are Open to Everyone’ Newest Homewood Library Director Takes on Renovation, Expanding Program List
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Wright said her goals will include continuing to reach out to the commu nity to see what programs and servic es people want, “especially those who haven’t been to the library yet.”
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Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 9OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL NEWS bachelor’s degree in art history from UAB. Her mother suggested she go to library school, so she did and earned her master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of Alabama. She worked part-time at the Homewood library in 2010 and then worked part-time at the Hoover Library, then was back at Homewood to work as a senior clerk in the circu lation department in November 2011. She moved to the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster for a few years and returned to Homewood in late 2014 as the librarian for the Teen Department. It was a position she loved.“It was one of the most rewarding experiences,” Wright said. “I love teenagers. We try to make them life long readers,” Wright said. As teen librarian, she organized an advisory group consisting of youth from the sixth to 12th grades and han dled more than 25 monthly teen events. At the same time, she acted as assistant department head for the Adult Services Department. In October 2019, she was named the library’s assistant director, a posi tion she held until she was named interim library director earlier this year when longtime library Director Deborah J. Fout announced she was retiring May 1. Wright was then named director. As library director, she’s responsi ble for 51 full- and part-time employ ees, including housekeeping staff. She also oversees the library’s operations and budget of $3 million, Wright said. “The city of Homewood is extremely generous. The city and the community are very supportive – they really value libraries,” she said. The Friends of the Library and the Homewood Library Foundation also are very supportive, she said. Volunteers with the friends group run the library’s used bookstore and use funds generated by book sales for projects. The foundation’s annual Block Party also raises funds for the library.Her accomplishments since becoming a librarian are many. She developed the state’s first tele scope lending program – Homewood has nine that can be borrowed – and an online application and hiring sys tem for the Homewood library. She also founded the state’s first Girls Who Code chapter and is involved in several professional associations. This year, she won the Outstanding Youth Services Award from the Alabama Library Association. In 2017, Wright became Alabama’s only certified librarian who is part of NASA’s Lunar and Meteorite Sample Lending program. That means she can borrow lunar and meteorite samples from NASA for display in the library. The samples have to be under lock and key in a safe when they aren’t displayed, and when they are on show, Wright must be with them at all times, along with an armed guard, she said.Some space objects were dis played at the library in 2017, and Wright said she hopes to hold another exhibit in 2023.
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Renovation Starting Soon A major project Wright started to oversee this month is the first stage of a $250,000 renovation, the first since the library was renovated in 1996, Wright said. Scheduled improvements included removing wallpaper and painting.
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Starting on Sept. 19, the adult and teen departments will undergo reno vation, with new carpet and updated paint among the improvements. This phase will last five or six weeks. The library’s goal is to remain open during the renovation, which will be done in small stages, Wright said.As the upcoming fall signals the march to a new year, the library will continue its partnership with NASA in 2023 and will offer passport services.
These include the community’s Latino population, and the library has started working with the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama to learn how to reach out to the Spanishspeaking community, Wright said. “Our doors are open to everyone,” she said. people who may have an interest in culinary field. A number of college and high school young people have benefitted from and valued their work experiences at FOODBAR. If think would have an interest in a front-ofor kitchen position at FOODBAR, give a call at (205)876-8100 to discuss the application process.
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“I’ve built a prom following. I call them my ‘Kenya dolls,’” she said.
At the end of prom season, she invites the women to what she calls a Kenya Doll Prom Program, a gathering with a theme where scholarships donat ed by sponsors are awarded. A portion of this year’s Paint Party-themed pro gram included canvases and paint for each girl to express her artistic abilities. Buchanan also is busy creating cus tom-made garments for clients who need something special to wear for weddings and special events. Right now, she’s working on a gown for a woman who will be receiving her doc torate. A mannequin in her studio wears the black stretch crepe gown as the dress is in progress. Sparkly gold appli ques will be sewn on the neckline for a touch of Whenglamor.adress is finished and deliv ered to a client, it’s not forgotten.
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“There were beautiful clothes and all the famous people. Just to be in the fashion district was unreal,” she said, adding that she was the only Southerner among the designers. She initially thought the atmosphere would be competitive, but she learned it was all about each designer parading their new collections.
Buchanan said she goes to the event to make sure the piece “is perfect for the pictures.”Some of her memorable dresses from her Rojo Collection are shown on her website, www.kenyabuchanan.com.
Above, from left: Kendall Eagan, fashion show chair; Julie Goyer, Linly Heflin president; and Katherine DeBuys-fashion show co-chair. Left, funding committee: Lucie Haynes, Constance Ladd Moore, Kathy Harris, Virginia Phillips, and Julia Wilcox.
FALL FASHION
The Linly Heflin Unit will celebrate its 63rd annual Scholarship Fashion Show on Oct. 12. The annual cocktail gala is the primary fundraiser for the organization and will be held at The Club. This year’s fash ion show again will be coordinated with Gus Mayer and will highlight featured designer Jonathan Simkhai. The show’s chair is Kendall Eagan, and Katherine DeBuys is the cochair.The Linly Heflin Unit is named in honor of Birmingham resident Linly Heflin, who helped establish a Red Cross sur gical unit during World War I so that women at home could support the war effort. After her death in 1919, the Linly Heflin Unit was created as a women’s service organization to continue her work. In 1923, the organization began awarding scholarships to women to attend college. This year, 110 young women will receive scholarships of $10,000 per year up to four years to pursue undergraduate degrees at Alabama universities. For more information, contact www.linlyheflin.org.
The career switch into fashion, something she’d always loved as a way to express herself, was a game-changer for Buchanan. She’d earned a degree in business management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, influenced by her family’s viewpoint to study for a degree in a field where she could always find a job. She thought that could be done with a business degree and that a job would be easy to find.“But that’s not the key to happi ness,” Buchanan said. The first key that unlocked the door to her new career was enrolling at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa to study fashion design. She earned straight A’s and graduated magna cum laude.Then, “My career took off,” she said.She started designing couture cloth ing and participated in a number of fashion shows, including the nowdefunct Birmingham Fashion Week and Magic City Fashion Week. In February 2018, she took part in New York Fashion Week, one of the world’s four biggest fashion events. Designs for spring were featured. “They found me on Instagram,” she said, and invited her to show her designs. Her Instagram handle is @iam kenyab.Herfashion collection was shown at the one of the smaller shows for upand-coming designers.
Designer Kenya Buchanan Traded Her Desk for Fashion Week in New York
Changing Her Life
By Anne Ruisi By 2013, Kenya Buchanan was so miserable working in the corporate world that one day she decided to just quit her job with an indus trial distribution company. “In that cubicle, I was losing my mind,” the fashion designer and owner of Homewood atelier Kenya B said. “I quit cold turkey.” Now, she’s designing a luxurious gown that will be featured in the 2nd annual Haute Pink Fashion Show fun draiser for the Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center on Oct. 12 at The Fennec.“I’m all-in,” Buchanan said, add ing she’s already working on a design that might include detachable ele ments or maybe some beaded fabric on the Lastbodice.year’s Haute Pink show was “such a beautiful event” that featured a huge, elaborate fuchsia pink ball gown she designed and made – nick named “Felicity” by its model, Shannon Preston, Buchanan said. Haute Pink’s models are breast cancer survivors or are going through treatment or after care. Their friends and Forge’s volunteers also partici pate.“On this particular night, they should all feel like queens,” Buchanan said, referring to the Felicity dress, which was made with luxury Italian Mikado fabric. With its sweetheart corseted bod ice, petticoats, layers that create a wide skirt structured to make a big impact, and huge pink puffs of fabric on the model’s arms, the dress was a fantasy come to life. When the model was in the dress and her hair and makeup done, “you should have seen the look on her face,” Buchanan said. “These are the moments I live for.” The woman wearing this dress, like all of Haute Pink’s models, got to keep the gown.
All-In
10 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALLIFE
HeflinLinlyCourtesy
The Rojo Collection is a series of strik ing red gowns featured at Magic City FashionBuchanan’sWeek. artistic efforts aren’t limited to the sketch pad. Each summer for the past four years, she’s taught sewing and fashion design at Space One Eleven in downtown Birmingham. This year her students made a prom gown, with each contributing an ele ment of the dress. They made the bows and flowers decorating the dress from coffeeShefilters.alsoteaches sewing to kids in grades four to six in the after-school program at Highlands Day School in Mountain Brook, where she’s held sum mer fashion camp. While Buchanan has made a strong name for herself in the Birmingham area, she’s now trying to venture into other markets, including New York and Houston, which has a vibrant social scene.“I’d like to get my products in the right people’s hands,” she said.
Prom Niche Buchanan is well-known for her prom dresses, and she said her couture designs have been worn by young women from almost every high school in Jefferson County.
Kenya Buchanan, in her studio above, is designing a luxurious gown that will be featured in the 2nd annual Haute Pink Fashion Show fundraiser for the Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center on Oct. 12 at The Fennec. Linly Heflin Fashion Show Set for October
Katie Fought
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 11OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL LIFE
What styles do you see that will be popular for Game Day? “Our experience (and our advice) for dressing for game day is that not everything has to be so obviously “Game Day” team-themed,” Adams said. “Don’t overthink the precise shade of red or orange too much! Remember to invest in clothes you love no matter what day of the week it is, and sometimes subtle is best!” Jackets and blazers are on trend, so I think we will see many styles represented; skirts with cashmere sweaters would be a good look as well,” Dolatabadi said. “Here in the South, anything cool! Games can be so hot, so a cute dress or pants – and your team’s colors –are always appropriate,” Saab said. At Applause Dancewear, “Game Day doesn’t really play into our busi Dolatabadi said. Cute tennis shoes that go with dresses and casual everyday looks should be on everyone’s fall shopping list, such as in platform and velvet styles, Roberts said. “I like layered necklaces – it’s something everyone can wear,” Saab said. “So layer up two or three neck laces and go! Your accessories can make your outfit!” “Black booties – everyone loves them!” Fought said, adding that includes all ages from toddlers to teens. “They can be worn over their ballet shoes so that the dancers can go from backstage to outside without removing their shoes. And they come in great colors!” How’s business? Have you in people both purchasing and con signing,” she said. At Applause Dancewear, “Business is coming back and looks to be strong once again,” Fought said. “We are excited to see the store filling up daily and customers excited to be shopping again.”
By Anne Ruisi
Visit us on Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook Village. Tues.-Sat. 10-4:00 5620 Cahaba Valley Road ArrivingLots991-6887ofFallDaily Looking Ahead to Fall Fashion 2022 Local Retailers Talk About the Hottest Trends and Must-Have Pieces Bezshan Dolatabadi Elizabeth Adams
What’s the best fashion advice anyone ever gave you?
As students go back to school, more people return to work in offices and the fall football and social sea sons get into gear, what will fashionconscious shoppers be on the lookout for this fall? We caught up with local retailers to see how fashion has evolved and what’s in store. Talk about some of the new trends for this fall you’re excited about. “I’m excited about the trend toward embroidery this fall! Tie dye has faded and embroidery is hot!” said Elizabeth Adams, owner of Ex Voto. “We love a good detail, and hand embellishment is a trend we are here“Wefor.”are loving the textures this fall,” said Betsy Prince owner Bezshan Dolatabadi. “Rich velvet, supple soft corduroy, lush satin and soft cotton are abundant in each of ourForcollections.”Kathleen Roberts, owner of Flip-Flops and What Nots, westerninspired boots and clothing, and plat form styles will be on trend. Gina Saab of Second Hand Rose said floor-skimming hemlines are on fashion’s radar. “I love a great long skirt or dress and a great-looking pair of shoes,” she said. “Denim anything! And a crisp white shirt! Sneakers! I love all the fashion sneakers.” Applause Dancewear owner Katie Wade Fought said lots of prints, bright colors and a mix of beautiful florals against dark backdrops are the new fall trends she’s excited about.
Kathleen Roberts
Gina Saab
Wade
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Saab said the best advice she ever received is to “Dress for myself! Wear what you feel good in! Keep your lipstick on and a pretty piece of jewelry and you always will look good!”“Look your best every time you walk out your door, you never know who you might run into!” Fought said. 271 Rele Street • Lane Parke Mountain Brook • www.shopbprince.com205-871-1965
“I don’t know that I can recall any specific fashion advice anyone gave me, but I will say that I tell ladies all the time to dress for them selves first,” Adams said. “When you are comfortable in what you are wearing, you feel confident, and then you are able to give the best version of yourself to everyone around you. Too many times, I see women need ing to get approval of their outfit from their husband. I really just want to say, ‘He will have a better time with you, if you love what you are wearing.’”“Lessis more,” Dolatabadi said. “The best thing you can (wear) is a smile. But, if talking about fashion/ clothing, it would be, just be your self. Fashion is fun not ‘rules,’” Roberts said. “Find out what you like and be confident in your own style.”
or changes to 824-1246. Please make sure all information is correct, Including address and phone number! Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. Thank you for your prompt attention. 4137 White Oak Drive, Cahaba Heights FLIPFLOPSANDWHATNOTS.COM • MON.-SAT. 10AM - 6PM 205.967.7429LOOKFORUSLIVEONFACEBOOK SUMMERGIVESUMMER the Boot Let Us Take Care of Your Loved Ones IN-HOME CARE • bathing • grooming • housekeeping • meal preparation • incontinence care • medical reminders • transportation • skilled nursing services + FREE • routine RN health and wellness visits • routine supervisory visits • regular balance testing AlwaysBestCare.com/AL/Birminghamjmancuso@abc-seniors.com 6 Office Park Circle, Suite 315 | Birmingham Call Our Client Team Today874-9730!(205) 2022 bbgardens.org Saturday, Sept. 10 | 8 A.M.–2 P.M. AT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS Benefiting the Gardens and featuring our Member Plant Gift MEMBER EARLY-BIRD SHOPPING: Friday, Sept. 9 | 10 A.M.–5:30 P.M. Bring a cart or wagon • Check and credit card only New this year: Preorder fall bedding plants at the sale! A facility of the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the result of a public/private partnership between the City of Birmingham and the nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, a mission-driven membership organization that seeks to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens. free & open to the public Allison O. Skinner Receives Paving
Award Courtesy
12 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALLIFE Over The Mountain Journal,
This
Allison O. Skinner of Vestavia Hills (pictured) is the recipient of the 2021 Nina Miglionico Paving the Way Award, presented by the Women Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Association on Aug. 18. The 2021 ceremony was post poned due to COVID-19. “I’m very, very honored,” Skinner said.The award recognizes lawyers who have actively paved the way for success and advancement of women attorneys. The bar association’s Women Lawyers Section created the award in honor of Nina Miglionico, who exemplified a life devoted to the public“Missgood.Nina,” as she was affection ately known, was one of Alabama’s first women lawyers to engage in the private practice of law, in 1936, and was the first woman elected to the Birmingham City Council. Her short stature belied her tall standing as a role model and mentor to women law yers in Alabama and the United States.Skinner is president of the bar association and is the sixth woman in that role. She’s been a four-time recipient of its Distinguished Service Award. Currently, she is serving her third elected term as Alabama State Bar Board of Bar commissioner for Place 7. She has served or is serving in various capacities on many boards and committees in professional and civic organizations throughout her career.She graduated from the University of Alabama and earned her law degree at the University of Alabama School of Law. Skinner is deputy gen eral counsel of Cadence Bank, where she represents the bank on a wide range of matters and serves as the colead for the bank’s employee resource group for women. After learning she would be receiving the award, Skinner said she and her son headed to Linn Park in downtown Birmingham to take a photo of her at the Nina Miglionico statue.“Ithought it would be nice,” Skinner said. phone 205-823-9646, fax 205-824-1246 is fax approval the Way
August 25th issue. Please
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 13OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL LIFE
Hope Gala honorees: Lee Edwards, Lesly Simon, Cary Wahlheim and Dana Wolter
THE HOPE GALA
Adelaide Vandevelde and Mary Dee Patrick Hope Gala co-chairs: Kristin McPherson, Anna Comer and Sumner Starling
HontzasBethbyPhotos
14 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALSOCIAL
Lee Edwards, Lesly Simon, Cary Wahlheim and Dana Wolter were hon ored Aug. 20 at the 42nd annual Hope Gala. The benefit for the American Cancer Society was held at The Country Club of Birmingham. and was presented by Edwards Chevrolet.Acocktail hour, seated dinner and live and silent auctions, followed by dancing, set the tone for the Galaevening.chairswere Anna Comer, Kristin McPherson and Summer Starling. Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Starling were the member hosts. ❖
Virginia Wahlheim, Cary Wahlheim and Carolyn Wahlheim
Jane Huston Crommelin, Jodi Benck and Logan Sanderson
Four Honored by American Cancer Society
Mary Charles’ Doll House 2820 Petticoat Lane Mtn. Brook 870-5544Village
To: Mary Charles Robbins
To:
From: fax Please make sure all information is correct, including If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the friday before the Thank you for your prompt
Thank you for your prompt
From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Date: May 2010This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the June 3, 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes to 824-1246. Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. Thank you for your prompt attention.
Officers for 2022-2023 are President Lisa Flake; first vice presidents, Kerri Windle and Melinda Curtis; second Vice President Adelaide Vandevelde; treasurer Greer Black; membership, Leah Abele; Secretary Paula Kennedy; publicity, Kathryn Dorlan and Angie Smith; young adult liai son Rosemary Turner; recruitment liaisons, Louise Skelton, Kerri Windle, Laura Rue and Cathy McGowin.
New, OpenAntiqueCollectibleDollsThur.-Sat.10am - 4:30pm
The Mountain Brook Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Delta recently installed new officers and recognized two members for their service to the chapter and to the community. Ashley McMahon received the 2022 Garnett McAdams Deramus Community Service Award. Her service includes volunteering as a court-appointed special advocate, fundraising for Embrace Alabama Kids and serving on the women’s committee for The Wellhouse, a shelter for victims of human trafficking. Susanne McMillan received the 2022 Elizabeth Nesbitt Simpson Kappa Delta Service Award. She served as the chapter’s president for two years and was actively involved in the Kappa Delta house ren ovations at the University of Alabama. She also has helped raise funds for charitable organizations sup ported by the alumnae chapter and provided guid ance to other chapter officers.
Over the Mountain Journal 823-9646 ph, 824-1246 fax Date: Nov 2018 This is your ad proof for the OTMJ for the November 15, 2018issue. Please possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 15OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL SOCIAL
❖ courtesyPhotos DID YOU KNOW THAT 80% OF CLASSROOM LEARNING IS VISUAL? Dr. Sarah Gordon Adult and Pediatric Eye Care • Contact Lens Care Dry Eye and Ocular Disease Treatment • Eyewear and Sunglasses Gordon Eye Care @ The Narrows, P.C. 13521 Old Highway 280, Suite 241, • Birmingham, AL 35242 • Open Monday - Thursday 8am-5pm 205-855-2020 Twenty (20) percent of students have a vision problem that can be identified with a comprehensive eye examination. Ninety (90) percent of those problems can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Parents, don’t let your children struggle with academics. In addition, improved vision has a positive impact on a child’s behavior. Parents and teachers notice increased participation, less anxiousness, and improved focus when a child’s vision is corrected. Schedule your child for a comprehensive examination today! BACK TO SCHOOL Service Awards and Assignments Mountain Brook Kappa Delta Alumnae Honors Its Own 109 Hilltop Business Drive www.GriffithArtGallery.comPelham205.985.7969 Acrylic on canvas by Maya Eventov
New, OpenAntiqueCollectibleDollsThur.-Sat.10am - 4:30pm Mary Charles’ Doll House 2820 Petticoat Lane Mtn. Brook 870-5544Village
From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Date: May 2010This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN June 3, 2010 issue. Please fax approval or changes Please make sure all information including address and phone Please initial and fax back within If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday your ad will run as is. We print the paper
COME SEE US HOMEWOOD!IN 1901 Oxmoor 205-870-5544Rd. Mary Charles' Doll House Dolls, Doll Houses and Minatures
Mary Charles
To: Mary Charles Robbins
Above, front row; Adelaide Vandevelde, Lisa Flake, Melinda Curtis, Paula Kennedy and Angie Smith. Back row: Louise Skelton, Keri Windle, Leah Abele, Kathryn Dorlon, Laura Rue and Rosemary Turner. Susanne McMillan and Ashley McMahon and
Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm
The Hand in Paw fundraising celebra tion Picasso Pets was held at the Harbert Center on Aug. 13. ‘Secret Garden Party’ was this year’s theme as guests were treated to a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, wine pull andTheauction.2022 Picasso Pets paintings were unveiled. The paintings were created by prominent local artists who work with patrons and their pets to create commissioned pieces to be treasured for a lifetime. Proceeds benefit Hand in Paw’s therapy teams, which were at the party to meet guests.
About 50 family members, neighbors and friends were on hand to help Greystone’s Geneva Aycock celebrate her 100th birthday on Aug. 14. The party was held at the Mt. Laurel home of her daughter and sonin-law, Nancy and David Keith, said her other daughter, Joy Carter. Carter and her husband, Larry, of Birmingham, said her mother’s four grand children and hymns,favoriteingpartybirthday.Aycock’sCarolinafromtiveswhoweregreat-grandchildrennineamongtheguests,alsoincludedrelawhotraveledTexasandNorthtocelebratelandmarkOnehighlightofthewasgroupsingoffiveofAycock’s“oldtimey”ledby Kelly and Sandy Stephenson of Double CommunityOakChurch.
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Family
Resident’sGreystone100thBirthday
WaldJordanbyphotosJournal
Leisha Harris and Vance Holder Matthew Dent, Jo Ann Davis and Jen Dent
Amy Whitson, Jenny Hedlund and Jessica Tyler Jordan, Grace, Walker and Abby Carter
Chelsea And Craig Brewton David and Ashley Parker and Amanda Puskar
Jamie Gajos, Todd Engelhardt, Tanja Jones, Karen and Jerry Spector and John Wingard WaldJordanbyphotosJournal 16 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALSOCIAL Birmingham ID & Infusion offers your patients needing antibiotic therapy or long-term biologic infusion therapies a unique outpatient alternative. • We handle entire intake process for you • Always treated by trained infusion nurse • All insurance accepted • Supervision by a physician • Open 7 days a week INFUSIONOUTPATIENTCENTER neurology | gastroenterology | rheumatology INFUSION THERAPIES FOR Birmingham ID & Infusion offers your patients needing antibiotic therapy or long-term biologic infusion therapies a unique outpatient alternative. • We handle entire intake process for you • Always treated by trained infusion nurse • All insurance accepted • Supervision by a physician • Open 7 days a week INFUSIONOUTPATIENTCENTER neurology | gastroenterology | rheumatology | pulmonology | dermatology | nephrology INFUSION THERAPIES FOR Anurag Gandhi, MD William Lapidus, MD Bruce Tucker, MD Lily Colpitts, MD 205-739-2266 BHMINFUSION.COM 4704 CAHABA RIVER ROAD, BIRMINGHAM AL 35243 Near I-459 and Hwy 280 behind the Colonnade DO YOU SUFFER FROM CHRONIC MIGRAINES? Please Consult Your Physician to See if VYEPTI, A New Infusion Medication, Is an Option for You. Birmingham Infusion Center Will Manage Your Treatment Plan in a Safe, Comfortable Setting. Picasso Pets Pet Portraits and Party Raise Money for Hand in Paw Therapy Teams
❖ CelebrationCentennial Marks
Joy Carter, Geneva Aycock and Nancy Norris
Helen Vance, Maurice Green, Edward Elliott, Stan Paschenko, Mary Putnam, Jay Bates, Starr Lane, Larry Leonard and Martha Seay
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 17OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL SOCIAL Rehab Reality...
Finally,Retreat.other things that set Bayshore Retreat apart from most rehabs is that clients can bring their cell phone and lap top and work remotely when necessary and they can have family visits on the weekend. Oxmoor Rd.
Ramsay High School’s colors of royal blue and white decorated the scene as members of the Class of 1962 gathered Aug. 12 at the Birmingham Country Club for their 60th reunion. Thirty-one classmates out of the 108 who graduated that year attend ed the event, which included a dinner and dancing to a mixtape of the era’s music, such as hits by Chubby Checker and Elvis Presley, said Rufus Elliott of Mountain Brook, a member of the reunion’s organizing committee.Joining him in planning the event were Mary Putnam of Homewood; Martha Seay, Jerry Chambers and Starr Lane, all of Hoover; Jay Bates of Mountain Brook; Stan Paschenko of Irondale; and Larry Leonard of Auburn. ❖ Ramsay Class of ’62 Returns for 60th Reunion
Hands down I would have to say clients who have been to other rehabs. Only those have a real comparison of being at Bayshore Retreat with its home environment and no more than six (6) people at a time. Fortunately over the past 11 1/2 years we’ve always had at least one that would enlighten those who didn’t have previous rehab experience.Bayshore Retreat was created from my son, Jeff’s, experiences in having gone to other rehabs and knowing what worked and what didn’t. For instance we provide real counseling, not 12 step meetings. Not that we don’t find value in it because sometimes that will be a part of the Exit Plan, but our feeling is one shouldn’t have to pay for it. Stay home, sleep in your own bed, eat your own food and go to meetings. Duh At Bayshore Retreat clients get about 30 hours of counseling weekly individual counseling, group counseling Sunday through Friday and finally Life Skills counseling which covers eight different life issues such as irrational thinking, relationships, money management, etc. Additionally, our focus is on physical health with exercise, dry sauna therapy, deep tissue massages, and yoga. This, along with freshly prepared meals and vitamins, helps our clients reach their optimum health while at Bayshore and hopefully sets them on a new path to maintain that health once they leave Bayshore
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by Judy Butler Who Are the Best Clients?
Alice Bowsher, Ben Miree, Kathryn Miree and Ginger Stewart Walter Rush, Walter Batson and Skip Hardenburg
WaldJordanbyphotosJournal
Jerry Chambers and Maurice Green Jay and Cindy Bates
Martha Bickford, Edward Elliott and Fay Eubank
871-STEPHomewood(7837) Dancewear ChangedHaven’t‘YouaBit!’
A popular tailgating event that benefits Children’s of Alabama returned to an in-person event for the first time since 2019. Boiling N’ Bragging, presented by Rotary District 6860 was held at Otey’s Tavern in Mountain Brook on Aug. 20. Those at the party were treated to a cookout, low coun try boil, children’s activities, drink specials and cornhole.
❖ ThursdayNightLive Block Party Raises Funds for Jemison Park Expansion
John LukerHollyGodseyDobbs,PaulAprilandAnn
Tyler and Taylor Powell Jackie and Parker Alison Katherine Dodson and Rachel Nesbitt Keely Kennedy and Haley McFall
Janet Forbes, Stewart Welch, Alice Womack and Virginia Smith
N’BoilingBragging
Addie Weaver, Lillian Lalo and Taylor Kaufman
18 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALSOCIAL
Durham and Madeline Ellis
Hosted by participating clubs from Rotary District 6860, the event benefitted critical care transport at Children’s of Alabama. ❖ Chuck Redden and Derek Brown
Tailgate Party Precedes Official Football Kickoff
WaldJordanbyphotosJournal
George Eagan, Barbara Ann Trotman, Lanier Sanders and Richard Randolph
The Mountain Brook Chamber junior board welcomed guests to its signa ture event at English Village on Aug. 18. The block party featured live music from the band Pioneer Chicken Stand, food, drinks, raffle prizes and more.Proceeds benefited Friends of Jemison Park as they plan for the update and expansion of Jemison Park and Trail on Mountain Brook Parkway.
WaldJordanbyphotosJournal
Andrew and Devin Holley
Richard Woods, Dana Snider, Kristen Woods and Ty Snider
Brittany Webb and Haleigh Hall
rockin’ Aug.
writerownbyheadliner,PrescriptionsrockNashville-basedoffeaturedboard,Council’stheAlabama.CouncilLiteracyofCentralSponsoredbyLiteracyjuniorthepartyaneveningmusic,withbandTheastheprecededBirmingham’ssinger-song
evening. ❖ ThomasPellAUCTIONCity,AL24TownhomeSites5+AcreHomesitesEquestrianCommunityThursday,September15888-861-0999InternationalAuctionLLC.comBone,#1706To: Renee From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., 205-824-1246, fax Date: August AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the August 25, 2022 issue. Please contact your sales representative as soon as possible to approve your ad or make changes. You may fax approval or changes to 824-1246. Please make sure all information is correct, including address and phone number! Please initial and fax back within 24 hours. If we have not heard from you by 5 pm of the Friday before the press date, your ad will run as is. We print the paper Monday. Thank you for your prompt attention. 5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 111 southeasternjewelers.net980-9030(1/4mileoff280) Books, Bands & Brews Literacy Council Rocks Avondale in New Fundraiser Jeri Kyle, Bob Kyle, Jane Gray Eiland and Sam Price WaldJordanbyphotosJournal Garrett Becker, Val Williams, Annie Sheffield, Mary Jane Rodriguez, Kendra Carter, Danielle Tipton and Paula Rangel Emily McAnnally, Jamie Adams and McKenzie Burton Amanda McKinney, Bria McKinney, Destiny Cornelison and Mathew Banker Bluff Park WindoW Works Call 205-542-6094 ownedLocaLLyandoperated f Wood window restoration and repair f Sash replacement, rot repair f Replace broken and fogged glass f Wood insulated, putty glazed, and composite vinyl replacement sashes
True
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 19OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL SOCIAL
The Avondale Brewing Company was 12 for the inaugural the
podcast,
Books, Bands & Brews fundraiser for
Hollingsworth.TaylorNicholasFinch and Cunningham,Kirstan the behind the Comedy were emcees for the
duo
The City of Homewood Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual event to celebrate the new school year, including an array of rides, bounce houses, food and live music. Proceeds from attraction wristbands’ sales will benefit the Homewood High School Band. When: 4:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Patriot Park
WaldJordanbyphotosJournal
Puppy Love
NorrisAndsaid.it’s not just the kids who love him. Teachers and staff like to pop into the guidance office where Merlin hangs out when he’s not working. “They come in for a snuggle or a break,” Foster said. The women working in the school office think he hung the moon, Norris added.
The Hoover City Schools Foundation continues to celebrate its 30th anniversary this year by holding a new event, Comedy for Kids, slated for Oct. 4. The event will be at the newly renovated StarDome Comedy Club, at 1818 Data Drive, and will feature a catered meal from Ragtime Cafe and comedy from Henry Cho.
Merlin’s ‘Magic’ Captivates Kids at Vestavia Elementary West
Vestavia Hills Elementary Schools Guidance counselors, Dawn Norris and Emily Foster, from left, went to Service Dogs of Alabama in Hope Hull for training before inviting Merlin into the classroom.
“I think dogs can do powerful things we can’t as teachers,” Coleman said. When students are frustrated or are having a bad day, “Animals can help them (handle emotions) in a very different way.” That Merlin is at school is the result of a long process that began four years ago when one of the school’s guidance counselors, Dawn Norris, attended a conference that had a ses sion on school facility dogs and the benefits they can offer. After a lot of research, she put a proposal together, sought approval from Principal Kim Hauser and Superintendent Todd Freeman, and submitted an application to acquire one from Service Dogs of Alabama in Hope Hull. Facility dogs are trained for inter vention tasks and to work with multi ple people, according to the nonprofit organization’s website, www.service dogsalabama.org. The dogs are award ed to places such as schools, youth facilities and state agencies where stress is prevalent, including police and fire departments and departments man aging crime or human trauma.
Comedy Show Set to Raise Funds for Hoover Schools Foundation Back to School Bash Benefits Homewood Band
20 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALSCHOOLS
The school expected to receive a facility dog in 2023, but one became available earlier because another school that was supposed to have got ten him backed out of the program, Norris said.
Taking turns in small groups, they clustered on the floor around him as Merlin patiently let the children pet him, then flopped onto his back for belly rubs.
By Anne Ruisi Coleman’s Cats, the children in teacher Coleman’sAndreasecond grade classroom at Vestavia Hills Elementary School West, might take their nickname from felines, but their hearts belong to a four-legged black lab named for a legendary wizard at King Arthur’s court. “On a scale of 1 to 100, I’d say he’s a 100,” one of those students, Reese Olvey, 7, said during a recent visit by Merlin, the school’s facility service dog and the only four-legged member of the faculty and staff.
There’s no doubt this Merlin is pure magic, as the youngsters in Coleman’s class eagerly wanted to interact with him when he visited their classroom.
School Principal Kim Hauser is another big fan. “He’s increased morale for the children and all the adults in the building,” Hauser said, praising Norris and Foster for their commit ment to bringing Merlin to Vestavia West. “I’m just thankful we have a counseling team that wants to go the extra mile for the children of our school.”Merlin’s popularity extends into cyberspace, where he has more than 400 followers on Instagram, @mag nificent.merlin.vhew.Whilehehasawater bowl and a soft rug to relax on in the guidance office, Merlin doesn’t eat or take potty breaks when he’s on duty. He’s been trained to do that in the morning before school and when he gets home, FosterHomesaid.when he’s not on the job is usually shared with Norris or Foster. He gets along well with Norris’ own two dogs and her 13-year-old son.
On that first day, to prevent the students from getting too excited and rushing at him, the teachers taught them what’s called the “Merlin wag,” by curling their fingers into the palm of a hand with the thumb up and shaking their hand back and forth, like a dog’s wag. The dog wags back – with his tail. When Merlin left Coleman’s class room after his recent visit, all the children raised their arms and per formed the Merlin wag. Merlin was back for the first day of school on Aug. 11 and he’s fitting in very well, the counselors said. He’s responsive to students, such as when a child was upset at leaving mom in carpool.Itcan be emotionally hard for some children to get out of the car, but Merlin is there at 7:30 every morning as they arrive. “Some of our toughest kids respond to him more than anybody else,” Foster said. “The kids talk to him. Some even pull his ear up and talk to him. He fills a need humans can’t replicate,”
“The four of them have a good time,” sheSometimessaid. he goes home with the principal. This summer, for example, Hauser kept Merlin when Norris and Foster weren’t able to. As for Merlin’s health care and grooming, two businesses in the com munity take care of that, Norris said. The Pet Wellness Center covers all his veterinary needs and flea and tick medication. And Happy Dog Grooming gives him a bath once a month.Great care contributes to Merlin’s sleek coat and calm, contented and friendly manner that really appeals to students.Second grader Irby Connor, 7, described Merlin as “really fun.” “I really like dogs and he’s really cute,” she said. Her classmate Ford Douglass, 8, described Merlin as a “fabulous dog because he would help people,” and Colton May, 7, agreed. “He’s a sweet dog, he’s loving. I like having him around school,” Colton said.
In May, Norris and Emily Foster, a guidance counselor at Vestavia West and at Vestavia Hills Elementary School East, went to Hope Hull for a week of intensive training. After that was finished, Merlin came home with Norris and they reported back to school the next day. That meant Merlin had only nine days to get acquainted with the kids at Vestavia West before classes ended for the summer. Doing the Merlin Wag
“The Hoover City Schools Foundation recently awarded nearly $45,000 in teacher classroom grants. This event will position the founda tion to do even more for the 202223 school year and beyond,” foun dation Executive Director Shelley Shaw said in a press statement. “Teaming up with Hoover-based businesses with longtime communi ty ties will benefit students and teachers at all 17 Hoover city schools,” she added. Cho. a stand-up comedian whose work can be heard on several satel lite and online radio stations, is one of the only Asian acts to appear reg ularly on the Grand Ole Opry and is known for his clean comedy. Tickets for the show can be pur chased at www.hoovercsf.org/ events. They range in price from $75 to $150 per person, and spon sorships are available.
“We invite everyone to turn fun into funds at the Comedy for Kids event this fall,” said foundation board President Paul Dangel. The title sponsor is Hendrick Hoover Automall. General Manager Joel Smith said the company is thrilled to be part of this inaugural event.“Giving back to organizations within the Hoover community like the Hoover City Schools Foundation fits our mission perfectly,” Smith said. “Our children are our future leaders and anything we can do to support their learning efforts is a worthwhile cause.”
Comedy for Kids
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Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 21OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL SCHOOLS SOUTHERN PREPARATORY ACADEMY BOYS GRADES 6-12
Southern Preparatory Academy is a small school on purpose. One of the benefits of attend ing a small school is the opportunity to partici pate in athletics and various extracurricular activ ities. Southern Preparatory Academy is a member of the Alabama Independent Schools Association (AISA) and competes against schools from across Alabama. As a small boarding school, the focus of participating in a sport is not necessarily about skill level, but rather the motivation and drive to improve themselves and the team.
125 Years of Excellence
Every year, our Fighting Rangers varsity foot ball team has been invited to the National High School Association (NHSA) 8-Man Tournament in Panama City Beach, Florida. The NHSA Tour nament is an honor to be invited to each year. In 2019, our boys brought home the Division 2 Championship title, after beating the Freedom Cowboys out of Huntsville 30-18. At Southern Prep, athletics is more about team work and self-discipline, rather than winning sea sons and titles. Bigger lessons are learned. Kids are able to get playing time that they may not get at larger schools - no one sits on the bench! In addition, we have many seniors who sign on to play college ball after graduation. Three Cadets from the class of 2022 will be playing football at Midway University, a private Christian university in Midway, Kentucky, this fall. It's not too late to join the Fighting Rangers for this season! Our athletic programs will not only prepare your son for the game on Friday night, but for the work of life.
A Winning Tradition
Alabama's Military Boarding School for Boys, Grades 6-12 Open Enrollment: Still Accepting Applications for 2022-23 School Year Southern Prep provides the structure your son needs. We offer the same classes as other public or private schools. The difference? Our class sizes are smaller (8-10 Cadets per class) which allows for more individualized attention, so every student is able to learn and fully grasp the concepts before moving on to the next.
southernprepacademy.org 256.307.7348 or 256.790.9202
“They know what hard work is all about,” Starr said. Junior Emily Stricklin returns as the Jags’ quarterback and freshman Jenna Kate Hutchinson will be her backup and play receiver. “She’s a former basketball player and she came and said she wanted to play flag football,’ Starr said of Hutchinson. “We are glad to have her.”
Lions Still No Match for Cougars Briarwood Christian’s 2022 season began the same way its 2021 season ended – with a lopsided loss to ClayChalkville.Thedefending Class 6A champion Cougars’ stifled the Lions’ highly touted senior quarterback Christopher Vizzina en route to a 48-0 shutout. Vizzina, who has committed to Clemson, was held to only 93 passing yards while completing 13 of 22 attempts and was sacked four times. Clay-Chalkville routed Briarwood 56-21 last year in the second round of the state playoffs. Oak Mountain Takes Advantage Oak Mountain was opportunistic on special teams, leading to 16 points as the Eagles downed visiting Northridge 23-14 Friday at Heardmont Park. The Eagles took advantage of a blocked punt to set up one touch down, a high snap on another punt that resulted in a fumble to set up another score and another high snap for a Eaglessafety.senior running back Trey Vassell ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns on runs of 1 and 4 yards. Senior running back Davion Foster scored Oak Mountain’s other touch down on a 27-yard run.
22 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALSPORTS RECAPS
“We did not have many new play ers come out,” she said. “We had some coaching changeovers in other sports and some of the girls decided to just stick with their sports. We’ve got multiple-sports athletes and most of them have an athletic period yearround.“Luckily we have some who just play flag. We have a couple who play lacrosse, but lacrosse isn’t until the spring so they are not missing out.“We graduated only two seniors, so the core of our 14 players is back. We’re still young, but they have had a year of experience.” The Jags will have three seniors this year, including wide receivers Kaitlyn Bellanca and Lillian Gourley, and running back Maddie Davis. Bellanca also plays lacrosse and has committed to play the sport at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. Gourley and Davis played on Spain Park’s Class 7A state championship soccer team in the spring.
By RuBin E. GRant
Second Season
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Homewood’s Calyb Colbert scores a touchdown in the Patriots 38-20 win over John Caroll.
“We had a really successful sea son last year,” Spain Park coach Carmen Starr said. “We were super excited and super happy to finish 7-4, and with the rhythm we had. We lost our first game to Vestavia by a touchdown (19-12) and then beat them 18-0 in our last game. We made a lot of improvement throughout the season.”Despite their success, the Jags didn’t generate as much interest in terms of girls joining the team as Starr would have liked.
Spain Park Looking to Hang a Flag Football Championship Banner This Fall
Homewood Clicks in ‘Battle of Lakeshore’ Prior to Homewood’s seasonopener, Patriots head coach Ben Berguson said their offense was click ing.“Most of the time when you start practice, the defense is ahead of the offense, but it’s the reverse this year,” Berguson said. “The offense has been good, hitting on all cylinders.” That was clearly evident in the Patriots’ first game. Senior quarter back Woods Ray led Homewood on scoring drives on five of the six pos sessions he played in the first half as the Patriots built a 28-6 halftime lead and cruised to a 38-20 against John Carroll Catholic Friday night in the “Battle of Lakeshore” at Samford’s Seibert Stadium. Ray threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Reeves and scored on an 8-yard run. The Patriots’ Jackson Parris had a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown. John Carroll quarterback Carson McFadden passed for 238 yards and three touchdowns.
“We definitely want to do great, but our immediate goal is to win area and if we do that, anything is possi ble,” Starr said. “We definitely want to hang a banner, whether it’s an area championship or a state champion ship, in our gym and get flag football on the map.”
Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. “Oh, wow,” Vakakes said when made aware that he was the only one of the new coaches to win their open er. “This business is crazy. Sometimes it makes you feel good and other times it makes you want to jump off the Spainroof.” Park visits Briarwood Christian this week.
From page 24
57 Teams Lined Up Across the state, 57 teams have declared field teams this fall, but Starr said some have decided against it, such as Chelsea. Other Over the Mountain schools fielding teams are Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, John Carroll Catholic and Oak Mountain.TheAHSAA has divided teams into 16 areas. Spain Park is in an area that includes Vestavia and Oak Mountain, but that might change because of Chelsea’s decision to not field a team. Chelsea had been set to be in an area with Hoover and Helena.The top two teams from each area will advance to qualifying tourna ments. There will be eight qualifying tournaments with four teams in each tournament. The winner of the tourna ment will qualify for the season-end ing state tournament. Spain Park will open the season Sept. 20 at home against Oak Mountain and Helena in a tri-match.
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The Jags will have three seniors this year, including wide receivers Kaitlyn Bellanca and Lillian Gourley, and running back Maddie Davis (left).
W ith the first season of flag football as a sanc tioned Alabama High School Athletic Association sport under their belts, the Spain Park Jaguars are looking to make their mark in the second season thisThefall.AHSAA will host a season ending tournament and will crown a state champion as part of the Super 7 Championships for football in November. Spain Park has its sight set on being there.
“We’re a little down tonight. We were at a little disadvantage from an offen sive standpoint starting the game off.”
page 24
Pittman completed 11 of 18 passes for Auburn for 140 yards. D.V. Williams paced the Tigers on the ground, rushing 17 times for 82 yards and two Hoover’stouchdowns.AhmariWilliams had 17 carries for 131 yards. Smith complet ed 7 of 16 passes for 53 yards, and Winston, the younger brother of for mer Hueytown standout Jameis Winston, completed 5 of 8 passes for 29 yards.Etheredge said his Tigers with stood Hoover’s comeback try in an opening game that featured a playoff atmosphere.“Ourkids got to lay it all on the line,” Etheridge said. “Hoover’s got a great football team. I was telling coach Waldrop, ‘Maybe we’ll see you Game 14.’”
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 23OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL SPORTS SPARTANS
Fourth Quarter Energy Mountain Brook, which now has won six straight over the Rebels, won 33-3 a year ago, but it led only 17-14 in the fourth quarter, and Vestavia Hills had the ball with a first down at its own 15 with a chance to take the lead.“This is what high school football is all about,” Evans said. “It’s 17-14 in the fourth quarter in a packed stadi um. You can’t ask for more than that. “I was thinking we had to get to 30 points to win and I thought we could. Obviously, they had some big fourth down stops. I thought we had some bad calls on both sides and that starts with me. That’s a good football team and they’ve done it year after year so there’s no shame in losing to them. We just have to be better.”
From ing game. Punter Peyton Argent pinned Auburn on its own 1-yard line. After three plays netted no yards, Freddie Dunson blocked Tyler McKinnell’s punt and Devan Carlisle recovered it in the end zone for a Bucs’“Wetouchdown.gotdown there tight and we were supposed to have another upback and he stepped up,” Auburn coach Keith Etheredge said. “That caused a little confusion and we missed the guy. He made a great play. Hoover, they’re gonna make plays.” Hoover knotted the score at 14-14 with 11:52 remaining in the fourth quarter on senior running back Ahmari Williams’ 27-yard run. But later in the quarter, the second of two lost fumbles set Auburn up at the Buc’s 16 and Towns McGough secured the win with a 36-yard field goal with 2:31 left. “I thought our kids played hard,” Waldrop said. “The first half there was about a 4-point stretch there that I think turned the entire game, along with the two turnovers in the fourth quarter. We can’t do that.
“I think we’ve got a chance to be a good football team,” he added.
Freshman Jonah Winston took the opening snaps for Hoover, but he was injured and couldn’t finish the game. Waldrop brought in regular starter Brewer Smith, who had just been released to play on Thursday. “It’s a long season,” Waldrop said.
“We know we just played a really good football team. Hats off to them. They played really hard. We’re going to correct the things we did wrong.”
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Clark Sanderson’s TD reception from quarterback John Colvin from 17 yards gave the Spartans a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.
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Head made two crucial mistakes in the fourth quarter as Mountain Brook’s Tucker Crawford intercepted him twice in the final six minutes, including one in the end zone with 2:03Theremaining.Rebelsrolled the dice twice early in the game, failing on fourthand-three from the Mountain Brook 28 on their opening possession in a scoreless game and on fourth-andthree from the Spartans’ 22 midway through the second quarter down 3-0.
HOOVER From page 24
“We lost to a good football team,” Evans said. “I was on the other side last year and it was like 30-0 at half time (actually 27-0) and this year it was three points going into the fourth quarter. Plus, I think they are a better version of a football team than last year.“I know we’re better. Maybe the results didn’t show it tonight. We have to get significantly better and it starts with the head coach, putting our guys in the right positions, especially in critical situations. I really thought third downs were the difference tonight.”Mountain Brook quarterback John Colvin completed 12 of 18 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, con necting with Clark Sanderson from 17 yards out for a 10-0 lead in the sec ond quarter and a 5-yard toss to Rob Gillespie for the game-clincher. Sanderson finished with five catches for 98 Coleyards.Gamble led the Spartans on the ground with 71 yards on 15 car ries, including a three-yard touch down for a 17-6 lead in the third quarter. Jack King chipped in 60 yards on 16 carries and Will Waldrop 45 yards on nine carries. Mountain Brook will return home to host James Clemens this week, and if it all goes as planned, the Spartans can clinch the 400th win in school history Sept.15 at Jackson-Olin. It doesn’t get any easier for the Rebels with a home game this week against Homewood, then back-toback Class 7A, Region 3 contests against No. 1 Thompson and No. 5 Hoover.“We’re making progress as a pro gram,” Evans said. “But there are no moral victories here.”
Freddie Dunson (2) blocked an Auburn punt and Devan Carlisle recovered it in the end zone for a Bucs’ touchdown.
“I guess there’s a little more pres sure, but that’s what we want to have. Obviously, I know a lot of people here and you want to honor those people that have come before us. You know we didn’t play the way we’re going to play in three or four years, but yeah, I’m proud to be here and fromEvans,here.”who played for the legend ary Buddy Anderson at Vestavia Hills, replaced Scott Calhoun, who resigned after one season to go back to Georgia. The Rebels were 4-6 in Calhoun’s only season. “There’s just a different vibe this year,” Head said. “Like last year, nothing against Coach Calhoun because I love him and he was a great guy, but I think he turned us kind of soft. Coach has us back to work and I likeThethat.”Rebels are hungry for a win ner after going a combined 63-47 the past 10 years, including only three winning seasons in the past eight years.“I just didn’t think we coached well enough in the second half and that starts with me,” Evans said. “I’m disappointed in the result because our community is awesome and our fans are awesome. We have another oppor tunity next week and we’ll look for ward to getting on the board, I’m proud of our guys and excited for the future of our program.” “I think you can see that in a year’s time, we’re going to be a dif ferent program.”
Head threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Keown Richardson to close Mountain Brook’s lead to 10-6 at the half and ran for a 44-yard touchdown to close the gap to 17-14 with 5:26 left in the third quarter. Richardson finished with eight catches for 61 yards.“We’ve had to learn two different offenses these past two years and that’s tough,” Head said. “I thought we played well tonight and played really hard. We needed to make a play here or there and it could have been different. I think we’ve got a chance to turn this around and be awesome. We just have to go back to work tomorrow.“Iknow we’ll have a bad taste in our mouth after this one.”
pointed in the way we played because that ultimately falls on the head coach and that starts with me.
The Rebels caught the Spartans off guard several times with their no-hud dle, NASCAR-fast offense. Offensive coordinator Josh Donaldson came over from Hueytown, where the Class 6A Golden Gophers lost in the 2021 state championship game after aver aging more than 50 points a game.
“Coach (Josh) Franklin (offensive coordinator) does a great job,” Evans said. “He does a great job with our offense and that’s the way we’re going to play moving forward. We just have to be a lot better in situa tional football and we weren’t this time.“But you have to give the other side credit, too. When you don’t play well, the other side has a lot to do with that. It’s a learning curve. Still, I was proud of the guys, and I think we’ll be a tough out in the future.”
After a scoreless opening quarter, Auburn’s defense stuffed Hoover on fourth-and-1 at the Tigers’ 15 in the second quarter. Three plays later, Auburn quarterback Clyde Pittman hit Logan Blomeyer on a 76-yard seam route to the Hoover 18. Soon thereafter, D.V. Williams scored from the 2 for a 7-0 Auburn lead. Williams wasn’t done, adding a 15-yard scoring run just over four minutes later for a 14-0 advantage. But the Bucs didn’t lose heart. “They were fine in the locker room at halftime,” Waldrop said. “They were still supporting each other. We just had to stay calm, do what we do. We had snapped it 39 times in the first half to their 20. We felt good about that.” Hoover rallied thanks to its kick
Wade Waldrop
‘No Moral Victory’
Spartans Spoil Evans’ Homecoming as Vestavia Hills’ Head Coach
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Pictures Homewood’s
Football Team in 1972 Established Winning Tradition PAGE 4 Top Cat: Clemson-Bound Vizzina Looks Back on Briarwood Career PAGE 2 PREVIEWOTM High School Football Preview 24Page Special Section INSIDE
By Solomon CrenShaw Jr.
By Bill lumpkin iii The prodigal son returned home Thursday night, show casing a NASCAR-fast offense and promising to return the Vestavia Hills football pro gram to the success of its prestigious past.The initial game drew mixed reviews in a tough 24-14 loss to Class 6A, No. 2 Mountain Brook, but new coach Robert Evans has the Rebels faithful hoping for a quick turnaround after two straight losing seasons and one playoff berth in the past six years. “With him here, it’s like this is his place,” said Vestavia Hills quarter back John Paul Head, who completed 21 of 32 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 119 yards on 17 carries with a 44-yard touch down. “This is home. There’s just a different feeling around here.” Evans won a state championship with the Rebels in 1998 as the Class 6A finals MVP and won four state titles as a linebacker coach/defensive coordinator at Hoover. He spent the past four years as the defensive coor dinator at Mountain Brook. “There were no nerves at all,” Evans said after the game. “It was a football game and that’s just a natural element for me. I love being at a foot ball game and all the peripheral stuff has no meaning really. I’m disap
anddeserveandyou“SometimesOlin.ataspasthadVakakes,saidwhospentthenineyearsheadcoachJackson-playwellfeelyoutowinyoudon’t.”SpainParkprevailed when senior quarterback Evan Smallwood scored on an 8-yard run with 23 seconds remaining. The touchdown capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive. “That’s what you expect of him,” Vakakes said. “He’s the leader, the glue that keeps us together. He doesn’t panic and the other players follow him. He stepped up that last drive and made plays for us.” Vakakes was the only one of the three new Over the Mountain coaches to win his debut. Vestavia Hills” Robert Evans suffered a 24-14 set back against Mountain Brook on Thursday and Hoover’s Wade Waldrop was on the losing end of a 17-14 decision to Auburn Friday night in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic at
Homewood’s Jackson Parris tries to break free from John Carroll’s Koron Wright in the Patriots 38-20 win over the Cavs Friday night. Park Looking to Hang a Flag ChampionshipFootballBannerThisFallPAGE22 Keep Gives Patriots Hope for Not Feeling the Pressure Young Cavaliers Looking Spartans Focusing on Playoff Run Winning Inside Key Players to Watch Schedules Team First
See
Mountain Brook’s Tucker Crawford intercepted Vestavia Hills quarterback John Paul Head twice in the final six min utes, including one in the end zone with 2:03 remaining, above. Vestavia’s new coach Robert Evans, below.
BACK TO WORK
Auburn’s Late Field Goal Ruins Waldrop’s Debut as Hoover’s New coach
SPORTS Thursday, August 25, 2022 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL See SPARTANS, page 23 WaldJordanbyphotosJournal
HOOVER, page 23 GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal
By ruBin e. Grant Tim Vakakes was in his office Saturday morning watching film of his first game as Spain Park’s new head football coach. “We made plenty of mistakes,” Vakakes said. “Our kids just have got to figure out how to win.” The Jaguars figured out a way in their opener, edging Calera 14-10 at home and giving Vakakes a victory in his “I’vedebut.been in this long enough to appreciate a win,”
FOOTBALL OPENERS RECAP Jaguars Overcome Mistakes to Hand Vakakes a Victory in His Debut Tim Vakakes See RECAPS, page 22
FOOTBALL AUGUST 25, 2022 OVER MOUNTAINTHE Road Quest
Leads
MONTGOMERY – The Wade Waldrop Era of Hoover High School football began with a loss Friday night as the Bucs fell 17-14 to the Auburn Tigers in the AHSAA Kickoff Classic at Cramton Bowl. The season-opening loss was Hoover’s first to an in-state opponent since the Rush Propst Era opened with a 30-29 loss to Jess Lanier in 1999.The game was a clash of Top 5 teams as Auburn had a preseason ranking of No. 3 and Hoover was No. 5. “We’ve got to play a lot better than we did tonight,” Waldrop said after Auburn received the Classic tro phy. “That’s the big thing. But I like the direction. I think we can get where we need to be. We’ve just got to get back to work.”
FOOTBALL AUGUST 25, 2022 q OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL q OTMJ.COM HIGHMOUNTAINOVER2022THESCHOOLBRIARWOODPAGE6 Lions Face Challenging Road in Quest to Keep Playoff Streak Alive Senior Quarterback Gives Patriots Hope for a Successful Season HOMEWOODPAGE8 New Bucs Coach Waldrop Not Feeling the Pressure Entering His First Season HOOVERPAGE10 Young Cavaliers Looking to Move Forward in Mara’s Third Season JOHNPAGECARROLL12 Spartans Focusing on Fundamentals as They Pursue Deep Playoff Run MOUNTAIN BROOK PAGE 14 Crane Believes Eagles Have the Players to Make Another Playoff Run OAKPAGEMOUNTAIN16 New Spain Park Coach Vakakes Hopes Hard Work Leads to Winning SPAINPAGEPARK18 Evans Preparing Rebels for Challenging Season in His Return to His Alma Mater VESTAVIA HILLS PAGE 20 Inside Team Profiles • Key Players to Watch Schedules • Team Pictures Homewood’s First Football Team in 1972 Established a Winning Tradition PAGE 4 Top Cat: Clemson-Bound Vizzina Looks Back on Briarwood Career PAGE 2 PREVIEW Christopher Vizzina Woods Ray Ahmari Williams Carson McFadden John Colvin Garrett Murphy Zamir Farris John Paul Head
“I’ve seen some great leaders and great play ers. Most of the guys this year are guys that are really good but they’ve waited their turn,” Vizzina said. “I’m excited about that. I just remember back to my freshman year. I got to play, but I know my best friends, they sat back and watched the veteran guys play. It’s great to see my best friends now getting to be those vet eran“That’sguys. my favorite thing about this season, that my best friends are the guys I’m going to be throwing the ball to; they are going to be on the defense side making tackles. My best friends are going to be blocking for me. “I’ve been super thankful for all the older guys that have taken me in the past three years, but these are truly my best friends, the guys that I know, I go to school with. The guys that are in my classes and the guys I ultimately started playing football with.” When the season starts, Vizzina will be Briarwood’s first four-year starter at quarter back. Forester said Vizzina basically has been raised to be in the position. “We grew the offense around him,’’ Forester said. “He’s seen about every defense you can see, especially having played Mountain Brook the past couple years, Homewood and ClayChalkville, Oxford. He’s seen a lot of great defenses. He’s seen a lot of different coverages. “I think it’s a really exciting time for us on the cusp of the season,” Forester continued. “You’ve got so much hope about what lies ahead. We’ve had a good group of guys around him that have worked hard all summer and have got a deeper corps of receivers than we normally have. It’s just kind of with great expectations, great hope that we’ll have an outstanding sea son.”
2 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALOTM FOOTBALL TOP CAT
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‘He’s always been mature for his age in the ways that he carried himself.’
Vizzina’s first starting assignment came in a 38-20 home victory against Woodlawn.Veteran head coach Fred Yancey had retired, replaced by longtime assistant Matthew Forester, who inserted Vizzina into the lineup when the starter was injured in a loss to Pleasant Grove.
Clemson-Bound Vizzina Looks Back on Four Year Career at Briarwood
The next week, Forester started his talented freshman against the Colonels. “Anything you do with high school boys, there’s some reservations, just because they’re high school boys,” Forester said. “But he was very mature. The big thing was, hey, let’s protect him. Let’s allow him to make simple, smart decisions. Nothing so overcomplicated. “He’s always been mature for his age in the ways that he carried himself. It felt good that night.”Now a senior, Vizzina admits he does get nervous, but you could never tell by looking at him.“I would never want to show my opponents if I’m tired or nervous,” he said. “I’m never doing that. But I think that I do a lot of things that helped me not become as nervous as other people“Thedo.week leading up to the game, I’m going to prepare better than anybody else, just going into the game with a certain mindset and just doing that every week. If you do something weekly, then it’s going to become a habit. Just the habit of doing those things makes me not as nervous as everybody else when I step on the field.”Vizzina and Oak Mountain grad Evan Smith were the two quarterbacks voted to the 2021 AllOver the Mountain team. The Lions’ quarterback passed for 2,247 yards and 18 touchdowns dur ing his junior season, adding 649 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns on the ground.
Briarwood Christian, Homewood, John Carroll Catholic, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Vestavia by Jordan Wald. Hoover photo by Marvin Gentry
By Solomon CrenShaw Jr
Grooming a Star Forester began plotting a course for his quar terback’s college future following his freshman season, suggesting to Vizzina’s mother that he prepare to complete his high school studies in December of his senior year. “We were talking about potential early grad uation and she was like, ‘Why would you want to do that?’” the coach recalled. “I was like, Alabama and Clemson might offer him a schol arship. Her jaw just hit the floor. She was like, ‘What?’ It turned out to have come to fruition.”
F our years have passed since Christopher Vizzina chronicled his just-completed summer in a standard assignment his Briarwood Christian High School teacher had given to his freshman English class.
MATTHEW CHRISTIANBRIARWOODFORESTERCOACH photos
Journal cover
“That was actually a pretty big summer, going into freshman year,” Vizzina recalled. “I went to a lot of different sports camps but ended up getting my first (football) scholarship (offer) in the summer before my freshman year, from UAB.“I just remember being nervous about high school, because I knew I was going to be (play ing football) with the varsity,” he said. “But just high school in general. I was nervous.” If Vizzina was nervous, he didn’t show it, especially not on the football field, where he would become the starting quarterback in the third game on the schedule. It was a job the Vestavia Hills resident didn’t relinquish on his way to leading the Lions to a semifinal finish in the Class 5A state football playoffs. After backto-back stops in the second round of the playoffs – the latter in Class 6A –Briarwood is poised to make another push for a possible title. They’ll again do it with Vizzina taking snaps from center, still project ing the confidence that made him one of the more heavily recruited quarter backs in the country.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder considered taking his talents to Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Auburn. “I really kind of knew Clemson was gonna be it,” he said. Vizzina picked up football as an eighth grad er. Back then, basketball was his favorite sport as he played all five positions on the court. But his life went on a different trajectory after his ninth-grade year.
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Homewood’s First Football Team Established a Winning Tradition
PATRIOTS, page 22
“I ran him down after practice and asked him, ‘What do you think?’ He said, ‘After you get your first first down, you should call a timeout and have a pep rally,’” Bresler recalled. Bresler was taken aback, but it also motivated him.“That stuck in my gut because I knew we had the players to make us successful,” Bresler said.
4 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALOTM FOOTBALL LOOK BACK
Ever the innovator, Bresler formed intramural teams so the players could get to know each oth er’s personalities and bond. When they began practicing in the spring, the Patriots initially worked out at the junior high school, but the field conditions weren’t ideal, so Samford coach Wayne Grubb allowed them to practice at Samford. “We loaded up the school bus and went over, and some others got there by car,” Bresler said. They were far from a cohesive unit. Gene Lorendo, who had been Auburn’s receivers coach when Bresler played there, attended one of their practices and was none too impressed, making an unflattering remark to Bresler.
brash young coach was the choice. Bresler quickly assembled a staff that included successful veteran coaches, such as Dave Beason, Jackie Clayton and Wayne Sheets. Beason was the offensive line coach, Clayton the offensive coordinator and Sheets the defensive coordinator. Beason, who also was the school’s first head basketball coach, was a key member of the staff because he had grown up in Homewood and knew the kids from the community.
BreslerAlvincourtesyPhotos
Powell, versatile Ricky Powers, who went on to play at Tennessee, and Murray Legg, a quarter back who went on to play defensive back at Alabama, were among the standout players. Without a stadium of its own, Homewood played its home games at Berry High School, which Berry football coach Bob Finley had agreed to let them use. As it turned out, the Patriots opened the 1972 regular season against Shades Valley, losing 20-10. The next week, Homewood earned the
The First Season During the summer, the Patriots shifted their practices to Mountain Brook Elementary to pre pare for their inaugural season.
By RuBin E. GRant Ray Powell’s roots ran deep at Shades Valley High School. His three older brothers went to school there. One played baseball, one played football and one was a drum major in the band. His mother was kind of the “band mother” and worked in the concession stands.Because of his mother’s duties on game nights, Powell found himself at the concession stands, too. Powell would have attended Shades Valley, as well, but when it was announced that Homewood High School would open, Powell was among the students at Homewood Junior High who were held back to attend the new high school. Powell went through spring football drills with Shades Valley during his freshman year but never suited up for the Mounties. Instead, he became a member of Homewood’s first football team in 1972, playing for their new young coach, Alvin Bresler.“Iknew about Alvin since he played at Shades Valley and my brothers went there,” Powell said. “He was a promoter, and he was always thinking about how to make things happen. He told me he was interested in helping me get a scholarship.” So, Powell, then a junior, along with 17 senior football players who also had been rezoned from Shades Valley to Homewood, formed the nucleus of the Patriots’ first team. The team will be honored on its 50th anniver sary Sept. 9 at Waldrop Stadium. About 40 former players are expected to attend. “I am becoming more and more excited about the reunion the closer we get to it,” said Powell, a split end who went on to play at Auburn and now works in real estate. “It will be good to see all of my old teammates who will be there.”
Members of the 1972 Homewood High School football team included, row 1: Tim Lunceford, Richard Reese, Mike Akins, Billy Holmes, Russell Akins, Joe Wurtele, David Dozier, Alan Hardin, Scott Walker, Chris Moore, Charles Mizerany, Kenny Shelton, Bobby Strickland, Roger Malcolm. Row 2: Garry Runyans, Rodney Rickels, Daryl Brown, Wayne Turnipseed, Jimmy Sherk, Mike Renta, Murray Legg, George Dreher, Bill De Van, Rick Kitchen, Kenneth Turner, Chuck Cunningham, Stoney Jackson, manager. Row 3: Joey Dillon, David Longest, Mike Haltiwanger, Paul Dougherty, Peter Brasch, Charles Boyd, Randy Smith, John Sawyer, Jimmy Glass, Dean Snow, Don Campbell, assistant coaches: Dave Beason, Wayne Sheets and Jackie Clayton. Row 4: Randy Galbraith, Danny Brechin, Wade Kirkpatrick, Rod Nelson, Randy Dickinson, David Fletcher, Tommy Coleman, Rick Powers, Bryan McFee, Ray Powell, Dean Black, Wally Freeman, and head coach Alvin Bresler.
Braasch, a running back/guard who was cocaptain and Randy Galbraith, who would earn All-State honors, were two of the team leaders.
Young Coach Of course, Bresler will be there. He was only 23 years old when he was handed the reins of Homewood’s fledgling football program. He had played receiver at Auburn and was a sixth-round NFL draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers in 1971, but he was in training camp only 10 days before leaving. “I knew I was not going to be able to make it a career,” Bresler said. “I had suffered a bad knee injury during my sopho more year at Auburn and it never really fully recov ered.”Bresler returned home and discovered that Anniston needed an assis tant coach. He hadn’t fin ished his degree, but he took the position under leg endary Anniston coach Bill Farrell. He also enrolled in a class at Gadsden State to complete his degree. “I taught eighth grade science and I learned a lot from Coach Farrell,” BreslerFollowingsaid. the 1971 season at Anniston, Bresler heard Homewood was beginning the pro cess of interviewing perspective head coaches, so he figured he would apply. “I was never short on self-confidence or selfmotivation,” Bresler said. Bresler met with Homewood Superintendent Virgil Nunn and Principal Michael Gross, but he didn’t expect to get the job because of his age and lack of coaching experience. Surprisingly, the
The biggest challenge was blending players who were already in the system at Homewood Junior High School with the seniors coming from Shades Valley.
See
Peter Braasch, #32, a running back/guard and Randy Galbraith, #74, who would earn All-State honors, were co-captains on Homewood High School’s first team.
THE FIGHTING PATRIOTS
Putting a Team Together The biggest challenge was blending players who were already in the system at Homewood Junior High School with the seniors coming from ShadesPeterValley.Braasch, one of the co-chairs for the reunion, was one of the seniors who transferred from Shades Valley. He welcomed the change. “Once it was decided we would come over, we weren’t going to get to play our junior year at Shades Valley and they treated us badly,” said Braasch, who later became an assistant football coach for many years at Vestavia Hills before retiring. “All the rest of the guys were happy to leave Shades Valley because of how we were treated.“Plus, Alvin was a great guy. He was a breath of fresh air. He was always super positive. He made it feel like a college-type atmosphere. He made playing fun instead of drudgery.”
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 5OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OTM FOOTBALL Aug. 19 Clay-Chalkville AWAY Aug. 26 Spain Park HOME Sept. 2 Chilton County HOME Sept. 9 Pelham AWAY Sept. 23 Oak Mountain AWAY Sept. 30 Helena HOME Oct. 7 Calera HOME Oct. 14 Benjamin Russell AWAY Oct. 21 Homewood AWAY Oct. 28 Fairhope HOME Date Opponent Location BRIARWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Aug. 19 John Carroll HOME Aug. 26 Vestavia Hills AWAY Sept. 2 Helena AWAY Sept. 9 Calera HOME Sept. 16 Benjamin Russell HOME Sept. 23 Pinson Valley HOME Oct. 6, Thur. Chilton County AWAY Oct. 14 Pelham AWAY Oct. 21 Briarwood Christian HOME Oct. 28 Jasper AWAY Date Opponent Location HOMEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Aug. 19 Auburn HOME Aug. 26 Bartlett HOME Sept. 2 Spain Park HOME Sept. 9 Vestavia Hills HOME Sept. 16 Hewitt Trussville AWAY Sept. 23 Mountain Brook AWAY Sept. 30 Oak Mountain AWAY Oct. 7 Tuscaloosa County HOME Oct. 14 Chelsea HOME Oct. 21 Thompson AWAY HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL Date Opponent Location Aug. 19 Homewood HOME Aug. 26 Marbury AWAY Sept. 2 Fairfield HOME Sept. 9 Hayden HOME Sept. 16 G.W. Carver-Bham AWAY Oct. 1 Pleasant Grove HOME Oct. 6 Ramsay IB Legion Field Oct. 21 Wenonah AWAY Oct. 28 Maplesville AWAY Date Opponent Location JOHN CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Aug. 18, Thur. Vestavia Hills AWAY Aug. 26 James Clemens HOME Sept. 1, Thur. Minor HOME Sept. 9 Woodlawn HOME Sept. 15, Thur. Jackson-Olin AWAY Sept. 23 Hoover HOME Oct. 6, Thur. Parker AWAY Oct. 14 Mortimer Jordan AWAY Oct. 21 Gardendale HOME Oct. 27, Thur. Baker AWAY Date Opponent Location MTN BROOK HIGH SCHOOL Aug. 19 Northridge HOME Aug. 26 Pelham HOME Sept. 2 Hewitt-Trussville AWAY Sept. 9 Chelsea HOME Sept. 16 Tuscaloosa County AWAY Sept. 23 Briarwood Christian HOME Sept. 30 Hoover HOME Oct. 7 Thompson AWAY Oct. 14 Vestavia Hills HOME Oct. 21 Spain Park AWAY OAK MTN. HIGH SCHOOL Date Opponent Location Aug. 19 Calera HOME Aug. 26 Briarwood Christian AWAY Sept. 2 Hoover AWAY Sept. 9 Thompson AWAY Sept. 16 Vestavia Hills HOME Sept. 30 Tuscaloosa County HOME Oct. 7 Chelsea AWAY Oct. 14 Hewitt-Trussville HOME Oct. 21 Oak Mountain HOME Oct. 27 Pelham AWAY Date Opponent Location SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL Aug. 18 Mountain Brook HOME Aug. 26 Homewood HOME Sept. 2 Thompson HOME Sept. 9 Hoover AWAY Sept. 16 Spain Park AWAY Sept. 30 Chelsea HOME Oct. 7 Hewitt-Trussville AWAY Oct. 14 Oak Mountain AWAY Oct. 21 Tuscaloosa County HOME Oct. 28 Helena AWAY Date Opponent Location VESTAVIA HIGH SCHOOL WE DO IT ALL FOR YOU: BLINDS • SHADES • SHUTTERS • DRAPES • HOME AUTOMATION TELL US WHAT YOU LOVE, WE’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN Call North America’s #1 provider of custom window coverings and get the style and personalized service you deserve! 2022 Football Schedule OVER THE MOUNTAIN ©2020 Budget Blinds, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Budget Blinds is a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLC and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated. CALL FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: 205-824-3300 • BudgetBlinds.com
Running Backs Senior Colton Williams figures to get most of the carries along with junior Cooper Higgins. “They complement each other,” Forester said. “Cooper is bigger and is a power back. Colton is smaller and shifty.”Junior Adyn Barbour and sopho
By RuBin E. GRant Matthew Forester was in a joking mood when dis cussing Christian’sBriarwoodfootball sched ule this season. But the Lions’ schedule is no joke. It’s loaded with formidable foes. “I don’t know who made out the schedule,” Forester said jokingly, knowing full well he was responsible. “It’sThecrazy.”Lions opened on the road against defending Class 6A champion Clay-Chalkville and also have three 7A foes lined up in Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Fairhope. Those are just the out-of-region games. In Class 6A, Region 3, Briarwood will face off against Homewood, Calera, Helena, Pelham, Benjamin Russell and Chilton County. But Forester is not cowering – just the “I’mopposite.excited,” he said. “It’s a big challenge, but we’re at Briarwood, so we’re used to big challenges. The goal is to make a run in the playoffs. This schedule helps us do that.”
Members of the 2022 Briarwood Christian School varsity football team are: Andrew Kassouf, Ben McNulty, Caleb Keller, Jack Rath, Will Clark, Robert Beason, Brady Waugh, Brooks Travis, Will Werchanowskyj, Sawyer Russell, Grant Dickinson, Garrett Cooper, Josh Thompson, Max Luster, Harrison Self, Colton Williams, Drew Mathe, Cooper Higgins, Peyton Steed, Beau Barnes, Luke Livingston, John Paul Harbor, Christopher Vizzina, Andrew Gill, Luke Taylor, Jake Scott, Gabe Margene, Grey Reebals, Louis Hoff, Jack Cornish, Evan Robson, Ethan Carr, Patrick Wilson, Cameron Harrington, Luke Dickinson, Asa Harris, Walker Chambless, Vaughn Wilson, Sawyer Click, Wes Burgess, Wells Connell, Luke Reynolds, Cace Reynolds, Adyn Barbour, Tyler Lindsay, Rylan Hamm, Gavin Gurtis, Aidan Punch, Preston King, Griffin Albright, Parrish Prickett, Jon Jobes, Eli Stubbs, Caedmon Ervin, Brogan Summers, Knox Jones, Harrison Clemmer, Tanner Hutson, Lude Solomon, Trey Saunders, Andrew McAdams, Cole Carter, Jason Bess, Luke Schultz, Brandon Frank, Griffin Clark, Barnabas Karanja, John Taylor, Charlie Thompson, Reid Hollis, Jackson Barnes, Sam Morris, Chance Freeman, Garrett Witherington, and Garrett Heinnemann.
“Both of them can run the offense and are talented enough that we’re easing them into other positions,” Forester said.
The Lions have advanced to the state playoffs for 29 consecutive sea sons, winning three state champion ships (1998, 1999, 2003). With five-star quarterback Christopher Vizzina, a senior, leading the way, the Lions figure to have a good chance to extend the streak to an evenHere’s30. a position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Lions: OFFENSE Quarterbacks Vizzina, who has committed to Clemson, is the first four-year starter at quarterback in the history of the program. He passed for 2,247 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 649 yards 16 touchdowns while lead ing Briarwood to a 10-2 record in 2021.His backups will be junior Josh Thompson and sophomore Will Clark.
6 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL ‘CRAZY’ SCHEDULE Lions Face Challenging Road in Quest to Keep Playoff Streak Alive BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN Briarwood coach Mathew Forester with, from left, Preston King, Christopher Vizzina, Grant Dickinson and Griffin Clark. briarwood KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal briarwood AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Matthew Forester 2021 Record: 10-2 Region: Class 6A Region 3: Homewood, Calera, Helena, Pelham, Benjamin Russell and Chilton County. Stadium: Lion Pride Field (5,000) SCHEDULE2022Aug.19@Clay-Chalkville 48-0 (L) Aug. 26 Spain Park Sept. 2 Chilton County* Sept. 9 @Pelham* Sept. 23 @Oak Mountain Sept. 30 Helena* Oct. 7 Calera* Oct. 14 @Benjamin Russell* Oct. 21 @Homewood* Oct. 28 *ConferenceFairhopegame
Offensive Line
Receivers
The Lions have plenty of receivers for Vizzina to throw to. Among them are seniors Robert Beason, Sawyer Russell, and Brady Waugh, junior Jackson Barnes and sophomores Drew Mathe and Ben McNulty. Thompson and Clark also will play some at receiver. Senior Walker Chambless returns at tight end.“He’s a tough blocker and has good hands,” Forester said. “He’s also a good leader.”
DEFENSE Defensive Line
Linebackers Senior Grant Dickson has moved from weak side linebacker to middle linebacker. “He’s a tough, hard-nosed kid,” Forester said.The other inside linebackers are senior Wells Connell and juniors Luke Taylor and Jack Cornish.
Secondary Senior Peyton Steed is moving from corner to safety. Junior Caleb Keller and senior Jake Scott also will play safety with sophomores Luke Reynolds and Rylan Hamm in reserve.
Briarwood,
Junior Grey Reebals, who started at cornerback last year, has moved to outside line backer.Sophomores Cameron Harrington and Asa Harris are battling to be in the rotation.
big challenge, but we’re
Forster said he’s excited about the group he has up front on defense. It includes senior defensive ends Preston King and Sully Wright, junior defensive tackles Luke Dickinson, Andrew Kassouf and Max Luster, junior defen sive end Cace Reynolds and freshman defensive end Garrett Witherington.
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 7OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL more Evan Robson add depth.
The Lions have two returning starters to anchor the line in 6-foot-7, 270-pound senior left tackle Luke Schutz and senior left guard Harrison Clemmer, who also can play center if needed.“Both of them will be really good,” Forester said.The other starters will come from a group of four seniors – center Andrew McAdams, guardtackle Jason Bess, guard John Taylor and guard GriffinJuniorsClark.Lude Solomon, a tackle/center, and Trey Saunders, a guard, will provide depth. “We’ve got a lot of flexibility on the line,” Forester said. “They all move well and have gotten in the weight room and gotten stronger.”
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Seniors Harrison Self and Beau Barnes and juniors Ethan Carr and Brooks Travis are in the mix at cornerback.
we’re
to big challenges.’ MATTHEW FORESTER
Kickers Senior Aidan Punch will handle all kicking duties, with junior Reid Hollis and sophomore Garrett Heinemann waiting in the wings. a at so used
Berguson attributes that to senior Woods Ray, a dual-threat quarterback who threw for close to 2,000 yards last season. He probably would have thrown for more if he hadn’t sustained an ankle injury midway through the season.“He’s got a strong arm and he runs well,” Berguson said. “We ran him a lot last year because he’s such a good runner. We won five of our first six games out of the gate, then he suf fered a high ankle sprain and we lost four in a row. We didn’t get him back until the playoffs.
“The key for us this year is keep ing him healthy.” The Patriots have reached the playoffs in each of Berguson’s previ ous eight years as head coach, but only once have they advanced beyond the second round, and that was in 2018. They finished 6-6 in 2021. “We want to turn the corner,” Berguson said. “We’ve got experience … with six starters back on offense and six back on defense and a few other guys who have played an awful lot.”
Offensive Line Three of the five starters return up front — senior right tackle Graham McLean, senior center Taylor Lemmon and junior left guard Jack Watson. Junior left tackle Jaxon Brooks also played extensively last Woods Ray, King Walker, Rigdon Gibbons, Phin Mullins, Clay Burdeshaw, John Griffin, Malek Smiley, Parker Sansing, Giancarlo Antunez, Myles Prim, Aidan Bodkin, Tripp Gann, Eric Davidson, Whit Armistead, Chaise Williams, Maurice Johnson, Trust Darnell, Bryan Thomas, Cannon Ford, Hardy Butler, Richard Fields, Luke Eldridge, Van Sansing, Reed Edwards, Jakari Miller, Jordan Cottrell, D.C. Young, Ford Hawkins, Taylor Lemmon, Austin Drake, Nick Myers, Sam Stone, Randall Jaquez, Jack Watson, Luke Jenkins, Graham McLean, Luke Bowlby, Marcus Swaika, Walker Williams, Khalil Winchester, Marvin Patrick, Micah Jordan, Nicholas Hughes, Caleb Coffey, Will Ray, Presely Taylor, Jaxon Brooks, JT Doughty, William Webb, Hayes DeCoudres, Tomon Felton, David Walden, Alex Law, Alonzo Lymon, Hayden Eldridge, Will Keown, Maxy Salazar, and Aaron Ford.
Homewood will compete in Class 6A, Region 3 along with Briarwood Christian, Pelham, Helena, Calera, Benjamin Russell and Chilton County. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Patriots:
Running Backs
OFFENSE Quarterbacks The 6-foot-3 Ray has added 30 pounds of muscle to make him more durable at 230 pounds.
“And he still runs well,” Berguson said.Several schools are recruiting Ray, who at one time had an offer from UAB. “UAB went in another direc tion, but somebody will pick him up,” BergusonSophomoresaid. Will Myers will be Ray’s“Webackup.feelgood about Will,” Berguson said. “He’s a great competi tor.”
The Patriots will feature three senior running backs in Mondrell Odell, Jordan Kiwoi and Calyb Colbert.“Mondrell separated himself some last year, but the other two are really good,” Berguson said. “It will allow us to run more twoback stuff this year.” Receivers Berguson likes the Patriots’ receiv ing corps. “The last couple of years, we’ve had one guy who kind of stood out, but now we have three or four guys so teams can’t just doubleteam,” he Seniorssaid.Jackson Parris and Charlie Reeves are returning starters.
8 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALHOMEWOOD GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal homewood AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Ben Berguson 2021 Record: 6-6 Region: Class 6A Region 3: Briarwood Christian, Pelham, Helena, Calera, Benjamin Russell and Chilton County Stadium: Waldrop Stadium (5,000) Patriot coach Ben Berguson with, from left, Woods Ray and Clay Burdeshaw. homewood KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH Aug. 19 John Carroll 38-20 (W) Aug. 26 @Vestavia Hills Sept. 2 @Helena* Sept. 9 Calera* Sept. 16 Benjamin Russell* Sept. 23 Pinson Valley Oct. 6 @Chilton Cty (Thurs.)* Oct. 14 @Pelham* Oct. 21 Briarwood Christian* Oct. 28 SCHEDULE2022*Conference@Jaspergame Members of the 2022 Homewood High School varsity football team are: Calyb Colbert, Owen Isenhower, Camron Forston, Jackson Warren, Jordan Kiwoi, Adam Parker, Hunter Drake, Kaleb Carson, Mondrell Odell, Jermald Patterson, Jackson Parris, Connor Brunner, Alijah Lavender, Finn Pennington, RC Gartman, Carter Dabbs, Bret Vincent, C.J. Tidmore, Evan Ausmer, Luke Berguson, Charlie Reeves, Darren Stitt, Will Myers, Cooper Mullins, Drew Susce, Talton Thomas,
RAY OF LIGHT Senior Quarterback Gives Patriots Hope for a Successful Season GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal See HOMEWOOD, page 22
Hunter Drake, a 6-3 senior, has emerged as a threat. Junior Camron Fortson is an elusive slot receiver, and Tripp Gann will play tight Sophomoresend.Alijah Lavender and King Walker also are in the mix.
By RuBin E. GRant When the Homewood Patriots opened pre season practice on the first day of August, head coach Ben Berguson noticed some thing“Mostdifferent.ofthe time when you start practice, the defense is ahead of the offense, but it’s the reverse this year,” Berguson said. “The offense has been good, hitting on all cylinders.”
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“Pressure is pressure,” Waldrop said. “It’s just part of being a coach.”Nor is Waldrop feeling any pres sure jumping into Class 7A, Region 3, regarded by many as the toughest region in the state. It includes threetime reigning Class 7A champion Thompson and perennial contender Hewitt-Trussville, plus Hoover’s long-time rival Vestavia Hills and cross-town rival Spain Park. “As a coach, who doesn’t want to be and play in the best region around and play against the best competition?” Waldrop said. “It’s a grind; it’s tough: it’s hard.” Waldrop has enjoyed success in his three previous head coaching stops, compiling a 100-75 record in 16 seasons at Chelsea, James Clemens andEvenFlorence.though Hoover will enter the season with an untested quarterback, and dynamic receiver R.J. Hamilton has decided to focus solely on base ball — he’s committed to Vanderbilt — Waldrop believes the Bucs have a good enough nucleus to make a run at the 7A crown. “I like our defense and our kicking game,” he said. “On offense, we have some experience at running back and a couple of receivers with experience. We do not have an experienced quar terback, but the biggest question we have is do we have enough depth to make it through this league.”
Hoover coach Wade Waldrop with, from left, Bradley Shaw, KJ Law, Andrew Parrish and Ethan Hubbard.
hoover KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH JordanbyphotoJournal SCHEDULE2022 hoover AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Wade Waldrop 2021 Record: 12-1 Region: Class 7A Region 3: HewittTrussville, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills and Chelsea Stadium: Buccaneer Stadium (5,000), The Met (10,800) NEW ERA New Bucs Coach Waldrop Not Feeling the Pressure Entering His First Season Aug. 19 Auburn 17-14 (L) Aug. 26 Bartlett Sep. 2 Spain Park* Sep. 9 Vestavia Hills* Sept. 16 @Hewitt Trussville* Sept. 23 @Mountain Brook Sept. 30 @Oak Mountain* Oct. 7 Tuscaloosa County* Oct. 14 Chelsea* Oct. 21 *Conference@Thompson*game
By RuBin E. GRant W ade Waldrop believes pressure comes with the territory of being a head football coach. So, he doesn’t consider himself to be under any undue pressure as he embarks on his first season at Hoover. He replaces Josh Niblett, who left for a job in Georgia after winning six state championships in 14 years at the helm of the Bucs.
10 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALHOOVER
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Bucs: OFFENSE Quarterbacks The Bucs have to replace Bennett Meredith, who’s now at Arizona State. In his one season as Hoover’s starter, he threw for 2,212 passing yards and 23 touchdowns during the 2021Eitherseason.senior Brewer Smith or freshman Jonah Winston will be the GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal
Members of the 2022 Hoover High School varsity football team are: Ahmari Williams, Kaleb Jackson, Freddie Dunson, Keith Christein, Lamarion McCammon, Jay Avery, KJ Law, Jordan Norman, DJ Estes, Jordan Woolen, Bradley Shaw, Jeremy Cook, Chaleb Powell, Devan Carlisle, Jack Lamey, Brewer Smith, Brody Stacey, Braydon Gerstenberg, Quincy Dudely, Harrison Spurling, Garian Denson, Len Wood, Logan Ware, Kamal Amerson, Christopher Wilburn, Jonathan LeBlanc, Payton Morris, Ibn Diop, Cooper Darty, Toshi Yamamoto, Alex Milliagan, Peyton Argent, Isiah Chimara, Malik Bridges, Autori Robinson, Micah Hampton, Brayden Urban, Michael Nixon, Andrew Parrish, Jamar Jones, IB Diop, Kasey Zylstra, Christian Randolph, Preston Morrison, James Morrell, Garrett Page, Justin Kelley, Deangelo Garner, Jamie Travis, AJ Franklin, Cooper Bevis, Tyrick Harris, Billy Looney, Ethan Hubbard, Rashad Smith, Grant Bonner, Yavah Smith, Taylor Jones, Garrett Brasher, Avery Crawford, Brady Sheppard, Christopher Warren, Arian Strait, Jacorey Hayes, Jeremiah Robinson, Donell Williams, Fabian Shuler, Jamar Moultrie, Steven Snodsmith, Chris Lawter, John Whisenhunt, Jordan Jacobs, Treshawn Darden, Antrell Key, John Robert Clark, Kayden Preyer, Moss Fleming, Cam Sumpter, Jack Brandt, Warren Williams, Omari Bryant, Demetrius Yelling, Dylan Bunkley, Cameron Spates, Sam Wood, Shaun Sutton, David Logan, Sam Huffstutler, Stratton Jones, TJ Fields, Parker Hubbard, Samson Coler, Sam Anderton, Sean Edwards, Caleb Reynolds, Landon Costello, Carter Kerf, Storm Fain, Toby Richard, Ricky Ibarra, Ta’Riq Densmore, Demarion Gardner, Carter Thompson, Samuel Updike, Elijah Kelley, Aboubacar Sylla, Nick Musso, Anthony Allen, Jacob Fleming, Tyson Batchelor, Darius Crawley, Jacob Noland, Nicholas Frazier, Pa’Landing Drammeh, Luke Hoesley, Matthew Daibes, Darrell Garner, Branden Rudolph, Dylan Thuo, Noah Shubach and Jonah Winston.
‘As a coach, who doesn’t want to be and play in the best region around and play against the best competition?’
& WORK
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 11OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL HOOVER starter.
Running Backs The Bucs are deep at running back. “We’ve got three or four guys we’re going to play,” Waldrop said.
DEFENSE Defensive Line While the offensive line lacks depth, the defensive line is one of the Bucs’ deepest posi tions. Seniors Chaleb Powell, Andrew Parrish and Jordan Norman return. Powell and Parrish are tackles and Norman is an end. HARD
WADE WALDROP
Receivers
Senior Ahamari Williams, who was All-State as a junior, returns along with senior Jack Lamey, junior Kamal Amerson, senior LaMarion McCammon and sophomore Jacorrey Hayes.
a junior, at guard. Senior Grant Bonner will play center and sophomore Toby Richard will start at right“Thistackle.isone of our thinnest spots,” Waldrop said. “We have a few others we’re trying to bringHealong.”mentioned sophomore T.J. Fields, sopho more Storm Fain and senior Billy Looney.
Catholic coach Will Mara with, from left, CJ Wyatt, Seth
“He’s a field general, he knows our offense and what we’re trying to do. He gives us the ability to expand our offense,” Mara said. Mitchell Nutter, who transferred from Spain Park, will be McFadden’s backup, but his versatility also will allow him to line up at running back and H-back and to return kicks.
“He started some at quarterback for Spain Park last year,” Mara said.
Members of the 2022 John Carroll Catholic KJ Beck, John Michael Wos, Grayton Galloway, Brogan Torchia, CJ Wyatt, Brandon Rashleigh, Seth Seidenfaden, Carson McFadden, Koron Wright, Mitchell Nutter, Max Plaia, Zach Archer, Braden White, Jaden Fennell, Garrett Barnes, James Hallman, Noah Syx, Braydon Lowery, Hayden Greer, Jagger Baguer, Austin Pfarner, Sequoah Hicks, Nolan Clayton, Alex Perrin, John Ford, Frank Bradford, Garvey Hannon, JD Latham, William Helms, Jack Tibbs, Jacob DiChiara, Cole Perryman, Luke Wammack, Jacob McMahon, Jackson Rankin, Alex Plaia, Bobby O’Farrell, Jaylin Shepherd, Isaac Kelley, Michael Grinder, Anthony Mokry, Nicholas Gagliano, Jaxon Perrin, Grey Higgins, Barrett Eldridge, William Fieno, Charlie Boone, Chase Botthof, Niajel Morgan, Bo Burke, Andy Everett, Jack Chandler, Elzey Gibson, Michael Helton, Henry Russell, Gabe Wilbur, Jacob Childress, Heath Jehu, Evan Williams, and Will Duncan.
Junior Carson McFadden returns for his third season as the starter.
Running Backs
John Carroll Seidenfaden,
john carroll catholic KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH Aug. 19 Homewood 38-20 (L) Aug. 26 @Marbur y Sept. 2 Fairfield Sept. 9 Hayden* Sept. 16 @G.W. Carver-Bham* Oct. 1 Pleasant Grove* Oct. 6 Ramsay IB Legion Field* Oct. 21 @Wenonah* Oct. 28 SCHEDULE2022*Conference@Maplesvillegame john carroll AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Will Mara 2021 Record: 5-5 Region: Class 5A, Region 5: Ramsay, Fairfield, Carver-Birmingham, Pleasant Grove, Wenonah, Jasper and Hayden. Stadium: Carroll Field (4,000)
varsity football team are:
“We’ve got four guys back there who we can rotate,” Mara said. “And we could throw Seth Seidenfaden into the mix.”
Versatile senior Jayden Fennell also can step in if needed, but he will mainly play linebacker.
THE NEXT STEP Young Cavaliers Looking to Move Forward in Mara’s Third Season
The departures of Mason and Davis mean the Cavaliers will have a new look in the backfield, but Mara believes he has several capable backs. He mentioned senior John Michael Wos, who also plays in the secondary, sophomore Koron Wright, junior Brandon Rashleigh and Nutter.
Mitchell Nutter, Carson McFadden and Jacob McMahon. GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal
By RuBin E. GRant W ill Mara broke even in each of his two sea sons as John Carroll Catholic’s head foot ballThecoach.Cavaliers finished 5-5 in both 2020 and 2021, ending a stretch of nine consecutive losing seasons.Now, Mara is looking to take the next step and have a winning season in 2022, which would be the Cavaliers’ first winning season since they finished 6-4 in 2010. But to do that, John Carroll will have to fill some big holes with the graduation of three of their most versatile and athletic players — Quad Harrison, Aaron Mason and Christian Harper. Plus, talented run ning back Derrick Davis transferred to Hueytown.“We’regoing to be lacking some athleticism and talent,” Mara said. “We’ve got a young group. We’ve got some great seniors, but we have a bunch of young guys who need to step up, including a couple of fresh men.”“The kids have a great attitude and we’ve had some guys who have stepped up as leaders.”
12 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALJOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC
OFFENSE Quarterbacks
“He’s got great speed and some wig gle. We might have two guys to play the quarterback position.”
The Cavaliers will compete in Class 5A, Region 5 along with Ramsay, Fairfield, CarverBirmingham, Pleasant Grove, Wenonah, Jasper and Hayden. “We’ve got to keep moving for ward,” Mara said. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Cavaliers:
“We’re pretty much, as Jacob goes, so the team goes,” Mara said.
Secondary Lowery and Wright also will play in the sec ondary at cornerback. Wos and sophomore Alex Perrin will be the starting cornerbacks.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. Although fewer than 10% of concussions involve a loss of consciousness, it is important to understand the dangers and not take them lightly. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior.
Linebackers Senior Jacob McMahon returns for his third season as a starter and is a strong team leader.
Kickers Sebastian Guerrero, who was a solid kicker last season, has decided to concentrate on soc cer. But Heath Jehu, a transfer from the Orlando area, gives the Cavs a powerful leg to replace him.“He’s a senior and he’s ranked in the top 40 among kickers in the nation,” Mara said of Jehu. “He’s going to change the way we call plays near the red zone. As a punter, we’ve seen him boom kicks off his foot for about 65 yards with five seconds of hang time.”
The other receivers in the mix are senior K.J. Beck, junior Zach Archer and senior Luke Wammack.Beckhasn’t played since middle school, spending his time playing basketball, but decid ed to play this fall. Archer battled foot and shoulder injuries his freshman and sophomore years and, if he stays healthy, will play H-back and in the slot. Wammack is another newcomer after playing baseball and basketball for the Cavs.Junior C.J. Wyatt, a two-year starter at defen sive end, will play some at tight end, as will senior Gabe Wilbur.
7th Avenue South •
Receivers Seidenfaden, a senior, is a returning starter at wide receiver, although he missed the bulk of last season because of a knee injury.
DEFENSE Defensive Line Wyatt will be a three-year starter at defensive end and is one of the Cavaliers’ main team lead ers.“We could not get him out of the weight room in the offseason,” Mara said. “He put on 20-25 pounds of muscle.” Gagliano also will see some action at defen sive end, as will Gibson. Mokry and senior Henry Russell will play on the interior, but Mara said it will primarily be by committee as the Cavs rotate players in and out.
Offensive Line
The Cavs had two three-year starters gradu ate, but they returned senior left guard Chase Bottoff and junior right tackle Jack Chandler. Sophomore Anthony Mokry will take over at center. “He’s really athletic,” Mara said. Junior Michael Helton, a transfer from Vestavia Hills, will play right guard and junior Grey Higgins will play left guard. Sophomore Elzey Gibson and freshman Nic Gagliano are battling for the left tackle spot.
Freshman Charlie Boone will be a factor, too.
Childrens
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Any athlete with a suspected concussion should immediately be removed from play and activity, evaluated right away by a doctor or healthcare professional, monitored and not left alone and not drive a motor vehicle. To make an appointment, please call 205-934-1041.
“We’re happy to have him back healthy,” Mara said. “It’s conceivable that we’ll use him at running back and in the slot and, depending on the situation, he can take some direct snaps.”
Junior Max Plaia also is a returning starter.
Fennell, Archer, Plaia, Wright and sophomore Braydon Lowery also will rotate in and out. Rashleigh will see some time at outside linebacker.
A concussion is nothing to play with.
1600 Birmingham, AL 35233 AL
Seniors Grayton Galloway and junior Hayden Greer, a standout baseball player, will be the safe ties. This will be Greer’s first year to play.
Members of the 2022 Mountain Brook High School varsity football team are: Adair Wade, Charlie Johnston, Kaleb Osborn, Beckett Smith, John Colvin, Reed Harradine, Braxton Dean, Bo Currie, Jackson Beatty, Henry Bell, Rob Gillespie, Mac Palmer, Hulsey Boehme, Jack King, John Cooper, Garrett Kunze, Will Waldrop, Cole Gamble, Bennett Kilpatrick, Clyde Beavers, Jack Earnhardt, Clark Sanderson, Miller Brooks, Drew Widener, Luke Maddox, Jackson Burwell, JB Cook, Howell Fell, Oliver Clark, Wells Marks, Alexander Horn, Hudson Young, Slate Sokol, Harris Crumpton, Palin Wilkinson, Douglas Johnson, Parker Silsbee, Tucker Crawford, Sam Edmunds, David Knott, Simms Sledge, Jack Donahue, Jack Currie, Charlie Elliott, Trent Wright, Michael Garrison, Benjamin Payne, Richard Crommelin, Vaughn Frost, Hayden DiVenere, Reed Smith, Ham Mandell, Harrison Fell, Hampton King, David Tynes, John Evans, Jack Walthall, Pete Fruin, Pelham Comer, Hudson Miller, Carter Kelley, Jackson Short, Sam Hunt, Joseph Green, JC Adams, Billy Flowers, Billy Radney, Thomas Clay, Harper Zanaty, Ben Burkhart, Milo Barclay, Graham Waldrop, Harris Vinoski, Henry Boehme, Richard Kinsaul, Will Lucas, Walker Webb, Mac Smith, William Courtenay, Sam Mcpherson, Campbell Miller, Charles Smith, Watts Alexander, Kevin Hughes, Reed Nelson, Mark Torbert, Carter Colvin, Rickey Whitworth, Harrison Dukes, Slade Anderson, Jack Sullivan, Will Troiano, William Tomlin, Haston Simmons, Quin Miles, Daniel Ellis, Web Walker, Davis Peterson, Noah Lippeatt, Geoffrey Cook, Max Hamer, James Hard, Miles McGilberry, Alex Leonard, Andrew Marks, Hawkins Martin, Ethan Wint, Parker Redden, Cannon Mussafer, Frank Lee, Parker Avery, John Hendry, Carl Evans, David Wood, James Morano, Carter Drew, Billy Hoyt, Jack McNeil and Hart James.
Mountain Brook will compete in a revamped Class 6A, Region 5 that now includes Minor, Woodlawn, Jackson-Olin, Parker, Mortimer Jordan and Gardendale. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Spartans: OFFENSE Quarterbacks
Senior John Colvin returns for his second season as the starter. Junior John Cooper and sophomore Charlie Johnson will serve as backups. “I like all three of our quarter backs,” Yeager said. “All three are capable. They all bring something a little different. John Colvin is more a pro-style quarterback and John Cooper can run and Charlie is a little bit of both.”
By RuBin E. GRant A lthough Mountain Brook reached the Class 6A semi finals the past two seasons before being eliminated in the state playoffs, Spartans coach Chris Yeager is not focusing on kick ing the door down to reach the Super 7 Championships this fall. “I hadn’t thought a lot about that,” Yeager said. “I just hope this group reaches its potential. We’ve had two good groups the last two years.“A lot of things have to fall right for us to contend for a championship. We have to be passionate about fun damentals every day and become great at those things, and at the end of day we have to execute.”
Yeager believes junior Jack King is primed for a breakout year. “We hope to keep each of them fresh,” Yeager said. “They allow us to run schemes using two backs at a time or three at a time. Cole is big
mountain brook KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal SCHEDULE2022 mountain brook AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Chris Yeager 2021 Record: 12-2 Region: Class 6A Region 5: Minor, Woodlawn, Jackson-Olin, Parker, Mortimer Jordan and Gardendale. Stadium: Spartan Stadium (4,500) Aug. 18 @Vestavia 24-14 (W) Aug. 26 James Clemens Sept. 1 Minor (Thurs.)* Sept. 9 Woodlawn* Sept. 15 @Jackson-Olin (Thurs.)* Sept. 23 Hoover Oct. 6 @Parker (Thurs.)* Oct. 14 @Mortimer Jordan* Oct. 21 Gardendale* Oct. 27 @Baker (Thurs.) *Conference game SEASONED SPARTANS Mountain Brook Focusing on Fundamentals as They Pursue Another Deep Playoff Run See SPARTANS, page 23
Running Backs Junior Cole Gamble returns as a starter, as does senior Will Waldrop.
The Spartans graduated more than 80 seniors the past two years, pro ducing consecutive 12-2 seasons, and will have more than 40 seniors this year as they attempt to extend their streak of consecutive playoff berths to seven.“Ifeel good about our team,” Yeager said. “We have some huge spots to fill on defense, but our quar terback is back, our running back is back and three of five offensive line men are back.”
14 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALMOUNTAIN BROOK GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal
Mountain Brook coach Chris Yeager with, from left, front: Billy Hoyt, Carter Drew and Carl Evans. Back: Davis Peterson and Parker Avery.
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 15OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL MOUNTAIN BROOK raypoynor.com | 205.879.3036 and communities Over the Mountain. Trust in the Best to Change Your Address It’s All About Teamwork Our local teams work hard to represent our community, and we’ve worked hard to support student athletes in Birmingham since 2008. LENDER NMLS# 410611 Birmingham www.southernstatesbank.net205.877.0195
Oak Mountain will compete in rug ged Class 7A, Region 3, which includes three-time reigning Class 7A champion Thompson and powerhouses Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville.
oak mountain KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal Aug. 19 Northridge 23-14 (W) Aug. 26 Pelham Sept. 2 @Hewitt-Trussville* Sept. 9 Chelsea* Sept. 16 @Tuscaloosa County* Sept. 23 Briarwood Christian Sept. 30 Hoover* Oct. 7 @Thompson* Oct. 14 Vestavia Hills* Oct. 21 @Spain Park* *Conference game SCHEDULE2022 oak mountain AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Tyler Crane 2021 Record: 7-5 Region: Class 7A Region 3: HewittTrussville, Hoover, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills and Chelsea Stadium: Heardmont Park (5,000)Oak Mountain Key Players include, front row from left: Bobby Laury, Garrett Murphy, Devan Moss and Trey Vassell. Back: Carter Lehman, Luke Oswalt, Hudson Youngblood and Emmanuel Waller. ‘GOOD NUCLEUS’ Crane Believes Eagles Have the Players to Make Another Playoff Run See EAGLES, page 22
DEFENSE Defensive Line Crane believes his defensive line
16 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALOAK MOUNTAIN GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the 2022 Eagles: OFFENSE Quarterbacks Sophomore Will O’Dell played some last year as a freshman when Smith was sidelined two games with an injury.“Willis a good leader,” Crane said. “We’re not going to ask him to do what Evan did. What we want him to do is manage the game because we’ve got guys who we’ve put in good position to make plays.” Crane hasn’t settled on a backup. “We’re going to have quarterback by committee,” he said. “We’ve got some older guys and some younger guys. We’ll be building depth throughout the year.”
By RuBin E. GRant In his first season as Oak Mountain’s head football coach, in 2021, Tyler Crane had the luxury of having dynamic dual-threat quarterback Evan Smith. Smith had a brilliant senior season, accounting for 2,294 yards total offense and 28 touchdowns while lead ing the Eagles to a 7-5 record. But now Smith is a freshman defensive back at Northwestern, leav ing Crane with a large piece missing from his arsenal for his second season.
Running Backs Seniors Trey Vassell and Davion Foster will receive the bulk of the car ries. Freshman Le’Kamren Meadows also will see action. “We think he has a chance to be special,” Crane said. “I feel pretty good about our running backs.”
Members of the 2022 Oak Mountain High School varsity football team are: Members of the 2022 Oak Mountain High School Varsity Football Team: Davion Foster, Jacob Porco, Tristyn Vardaman, Trey Vassell, D.J Stone, Ian Laughlin, Devan Moss, Emmanuel Waller, Carter Lehman, Jack Ronilo, Ben Heath, Davis Stallworth, Le’Kamren Meadows, Xander Hughes, Garrett Murphy, Drowdy Hackbarth, Will O’Dell, C.J Hill, Chris Weston, Jacob Moore, Hunter Cox, Sawyer Smith, Bobby Laury, Zach Fitzgerald, J.C Schwender, Seth Tucker, Marty Myricks, James Whatley, Mason Mitchell, Jorge Garcia, Cole Kelly, Jacob Helgason, Ethan Watson, Micheal Dooley, Owen Wells, David Jimenez, Hunter Gaskins, Adrian Borja, Kennedy Silas, Parker McDaniel, Robert Yoder IV, Malachi Plummer, Noah Hagedorn, Niko Varvoutis, Colton Moore, Colton Cason, Carter Hill, Davis Coggin, Jack Bell, Connor Self, Emmett Williams, Barron Meadors, Trey Leckemby, Sawyer Hutto, Bradley Haizlip, Luke Parmer, Cordell Williams, Colin Prestridge, Luke Oswalt, Will Burgess, Hudson Youngblood, Walker Shook, Peyton Swann, Brandon Lewis, Ivan Adams, Jackson Blackwell, Joey Carbonie, Kasen Lemons, J.D. Miller, Jaxon Owens, Jordan Pierce-Harris, Max Cude, Ty Campbell, Joey Lewis, Daveon Johnson and Caleb Jaworski.
“There are going to be ups and downs, but I feel when we line up every week, we have a chance to beat them,” Crane said. “I think I’ve got pretty good football players, too. I put mine against anybody.”
Receivers Senior D.J. Stone is a returning starter. Juniors Tristyn Vardaman and Sawyer Smith will receive plenty of playing time. Sophomores Zach Fitzgerald and Jacob Moore also are in theJuniormix.Jackson Blackwell returns at tight“We’reend.excited about the pieces we have,” Crane said. “Some of them got to play as 10th graders and grew up.”
“You can’t replace Evan,” Crane said. “Evan was a dude.” Even so, Crane believes the Eagles have the players to make another run at a playoff berth. “We have a good nucleus of guys,” he said. “We lost a couple of key guys, but I feel like we’ve got guys in place who will do a good job for us.”
Offensive Line Crane described his offensive line as a “strong unit.” Luke Oswalt, a 6-foot-4, 295 senior, returns at left tackle, and Sawyer Hutto, a 6-4, 250-pound senior, returns at right tackle. Senior Hudson Youngblood also returns at center. Sophomore Cordell Williams will start at right guard, and either sophomore Barron Meadors or sophomore Colton Cason will start at leftCraneguard.said they are looking for some other young players to work their way into the rotation.
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 17OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OAK MOUNTAIN OVER THE MOUNTAIN FOOTBALL AND BEDZZZ EXPRESS IS THE PROUD SPONSOR OF THE OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL ALL OTM HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM FAVORITESCROWD OVER THE MOUNTAIN OWNED AND LOCALLY OPERATED SINCE 1994
By RuBin E. GRant W hen Tim Vakakes was hired as Spain Park’s new football coach in December, he wasn’t sure what kind of situation he was entering.TheJaguars had just completed their fourth consecutive losing season, finishing 2021 with a 2-8 record, which led to the resignation of head coach Shawn Raney. “When I got here, I was worried about the culture I was walking into,” Vakakes said, “but the kids here work their tails off. That’s a tribute to Coach Raney and his staff. They just have to learn how to win.” Before coming to Spain Park, Vakakes built a winning culture at Jackson-Olin. He compiled a 49-45 record in nine seasons there after tak ing over a program that had suffered through 13 consecutive losing seasons and won only 29 games during the span before his arrival in 2013.
‘SUCCESS
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH GentryMarvinbyphotoJournal Head Coach: Tim Vakakes 2021 Record: 2-8 Region: Class 7A Region 3: Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Gadsden City, Oak Mountain, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills Stadium: Finley Stadium (5,000) SCHEDULE2022 spain park AT A GLANCE Aug. 19 Calera 14-10 (W) Aug. 26 @Briarwood Christian Sept. 2 @Hoover* Sept. 9 @Thompson* Sept. 16 Vestavia* Sept. 30 Tuscaloosa County* Oct. 7 @Chelsea* Oct. 14 Hewitt-Trussville* Oct. 21 Oak Mountain* Oct. 27 @Pelham (Thurs.) *Conference game Spain Park coach Vakakes, with, from left, Brian Alston, Evan Smallwood, Zamir Farris and Caldwell Bussey.
StudiosCityIronbyPhoto
Members of the 2022 Spain Park High School varsity football team are: Zamir Farris, George Gilbert, Alex Smith, Reggie Jackson, Jack Kendrick, Jonathan Bibbs, Brian Alston, Zavier Long, Stopher Walls, Caleb Ward, Jackson Mitchell, Clay Spencer, KJ Rudolph, Evan Smallwood, Grayson Brock, Mason Bowden, Jamari Mosley, Brock Bradley, Kelby Roberson, Logan Brownlee, Jonas Harrellson, Keionte Robinson, Eli Smallwood, Colin Cutcliff, Jacob Olsen, JR Thompson, CJ Clency, Derrick Shanks, Aubrey Walker, Angel Ortiz, Jaylon Hatcher, Dakarai Shanks, Caldwell Bussey, Chase Wolsoncroft, Arnold Bush, Noah Hendrix, Tyler Walker, Cailon Hudson, Hagen Holley, Jaxon Haygood, Isaac Battles, Ethan Wilson, Vic Luong, Omar Badawi, Jared Smith, Jack Stewart, Jack Sellers, Landon Huey, Nyc Speer, Andrew Thornton, Brayden Matherson, Evan Bishop, Drake Hibbard, Jacob Roe, Chase Walker, Josh Lewis, Riley Harrelson, Charleston Gray, Dakarai Shanks, Tyler Davidson, Aden Walker, Josh Tulloss, Conner Langston, Jovan Taylor, Sam Messer, Alex Mancill, Hudson Cahalan, Kameryn Stevenson, John Higginbotham, John Griffin, Harris Gregory, Mason Cooper, Ashton Sauder, Trevon Hill, Evan Eaker, Holden Sweitzer, Ryan Breazeale, Fisayo Aduroja, Clete Ponder, Geno Ferguson, David Toolabi, Marcus Ellis, Morgan Bowden, Jackson Bell, Jayden Craig, Tacorrius Nichols, Rayshod Burts, Caleb Hewlett, George Escamilla, Elijah Ferguson, Sean Corey, Alex Lloyd, Mitchell Frazer, DJ Haynes, Landon Crane, Corey Barber, Zion Mims, Cam Mcfarlin, Gabe Mooney, Morgan Rich, Alden Dorn, Nikolas Alston, Jacob Williams, Parker Weimar, Lex Mcelvie and Landon Johnson. spain park
18 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALSPAIN PARK
OFFENSE Quarterbacks Senior Evan Smallwood, also a standout baseball player, returns as the “He’sstarter.a really good athlete,” Vakakes said. “He’s crafty, the kids love to play with him, and he’s tough.”Smallwood’s younger brother Eli, a sophomore, will be his primary WILL COME’
Vakakes played in a winning pro gram at Homewood, suiting up for Patriots head coaches Gerald Gann and Bob Newton. In hopes of turning the Jags around, Vakakes has emphasized weightlifting.“I’mabig weight room guy and I’ll never outsource that to another coach,” he said. “When the guys are lifting, I’m in there with them. That’s the heartbeat of a team. The overall team strength is really improving. “Once we get everything aligned, the success will come.” The Jags will compete in Class 7A, Region 3, which also includes cross-town rival Hoover and threetime reigning Class 7A champion Thompson.“I’mnot afraid to get in there and battle with the big boys,” Vakakes said.As for the makeup of his team, Vakakes said it’s a mixture of youth and“We’veexperience.gotsome new guys and some young guys,” he said. “We need to stay breakdownHere’shealthy.”aposition-by-positionofthe2022Jaguars:
New Jags Coach Vakakes Hopes Hard Work Leads to Winning
Vakakes believes the line will be the strength of the defense. The four starters all have received NCAA Division I offers.
Kickers
DEFENSE Defensive Line
Sophomore Josh Tulloss and junior Alex Lloyd will split the punting and place-kicking duties. Lloyd has the stronger leg, but Tulloss is more consistent.
Receivers The Jags suffered a big blow early in pre season practice when senior J.R. Thompson sus tained a season-ending knee injury. Senior George Gilbert returns to lead the receiving corps. Sophomore Reggie Jackson, senior Clay Spencer and junior Jonathan Bibbs also are in the mix.
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Senior defensive end Caldwell Bussey (6-3, 245) has committed to Furman; senior defensive tackle Brian Alston (6-3, 260) has drawn interest from Power 5 conference schools; sophomore defensive tackle Nik Alston (6-3, 250) already has offers from Arkansas State and Tulane; and sophomore defensive end Jared Smith (6-6, 225) already has offers from Georgia, LSU, Miami and Tennessee.Behind them are senior defensive end C.J. Clency, junior defensive end Jacob Olsen, sophomore defensive tackle Landon Johnson and junior defensive tackle Josh Lewis.
Offensive Line Senior center-guard Morgan Bowden and senior left guard Rayshod Burts will anchor the offensive line. Juniors Conner Langston and Hudson Cahalan will man the tackle spots, while sophomores Jayden Craig or Jackson Bell will start at either guard or center. Junior Evan Eaker will provide depth. “We’ve got some other kids who will help some on the line, too,” Vakakes said.
Running Backs
Senior Jonas Harrellson has moved from defensive end to outside linebacker to solidify the group. Seniors Jackson Mitchell and K.J. Rudolph will play inside linebacker. Junior Landon Huey is another inside linebacker, and senior Jack Kendrick, who played safety last season, will join Harrellson on the outside.
Linebackers
Secondary Seniors Alex Smith and Stopher Walls, juniors Kelby Roberson and Jamari Mosley, and sophomores Hagen Holley and Arnold Bush constitute the secondary. “They all seem to be in the right place on the field, but they have got to make plays,” Vakakes said.
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 19OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL SPAIN PARK backup, while talented freshman Brock Bradley is waiting in the wings. Bradley has already received offers from Troy and UAB.
Junior Cam McFarlin, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior, will play tight end.
Elusive senior Zamir Farris returns and will also play some at slot receiver. Junior Zavier Long will get plenty of carries. Junior Derrick Shanks and his younger brother Dakarai, a soph omore, are transfers from Jackson-Olin who will spend time in the backfield and at slot receiver. Freshman Aubrey Walker also will play. “He’s got a chance to be special,” Vakakes said.
By RuBin E. GRant R
“I never intended to come back, but the Lord opened a door and I felt like this was the thing I was supposed to do,” Evans said. Evans has brought in former Spain Park head coach Shawn Raney as the defensive coordinator and Josh Franklin, who helped lead Hueytown to the Class 6A title game last year, as the offensive coordinator. The Rebels face a daunting sched ule. Class 7A, Region 3 also includes Thompson and powerhouses Hoover and“It’sHewitt-Trussville.beenalongtime since Vestavia has played meaningful games late in the season, but if we can stay healthy, I feel we’ve got a chance to be there in November,” Evans said. The Rebels will have plenty of new faces as starters to open the season since they are returning only four start ers on offense and five on defense. Here’s a position-by-position break down of the 2022 Rebels.
Vestavia Hills missed the playoffs the past two seasons and made only one postseason appearance in the past six years, losing in the first round in 2019. Evans was a star defensive back on the Vestavia Hills’ last state champion ship team in 1998 and a former assis tant at Hoover and Mountain Brook. He was named the Rebels’ head coach in January when Sean Calhoun resigned after one season as the successor to leg endary Vestavia Hills’ coach Buddy Anderson.
20 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALVESTAVIA HILLS
“I don’t know who will be there in the end, but I want our guys to be there,” Evans said. “I hate coach-speak and talking about playing them one game at a time. We’re starting with where we want to go.”
Junior John Paul Head entered preseason practice as the front-runner to start after splitting time as a starter
obert Evans is taking a bold approach as he embarks on his first season as head coach at Vestavia Hills, his alma mater “My goal is to play Thompson twice,” Evans said. Thompson is the reigning three-time Class 7A champion and is ranked No. 1 in preseason. If the Rebels play the Warriors twice, the second matchup would be in the state playoffs in November. They meet Sept. 2 in the regular season.
OFFENSE Quarterbacks
Aug. 18 Mtn. Brook 24-14 (L) Aug. 26 Homewood Sept. 2 Thompson* Sept. 9 @Hoover* Sept. 16 @Spain Park* Sept. 30 Chelsea* Oct. 7 @Hewitt-Trussville* Oct. 14 @Oak Mountain* Oct. 21 Tuscaloosa County* Oct. 28 SCHEDULE2022*Conference@Helenagame vestavia hills AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Robert Evans 2021 Record: 4-7 Region: Class 7A Region 3: Hoover, Hewitt-Trussville, Oak Mountain, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Chelsea. Stadium: Thompson Reynolds Stadium at Buddy Anderson Field (5,000) Vestavia Hills coach Robert Evans with, from left, front: Tucker Smitha and Andrew Sykes. Back: Glen Porter and Houston Owen. vestavia hills KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH SchoolHighHillsVestaviaCourtesyPhoto RETURNING REBEL Evans Preparing Rebels for Challenging Season in His Return to His Alma Mater WaldJordanbyphotoJournal See REBELS, page 22
Members of the 2022 Vestavia Hills High School varsity football team are: Warren Ainsworth, Victor Altamirano, Sawyer Arnold, Alex Baldone, Yates Bannon, Clay Barnes, Anthony Beam, Gibson Bean, Luke Beckham, Sully Blake, Whit Bohorfoush, William Bond, Ford Brown, Thomas Brown, Sam Brown, Brady Brown, Grayson Bruno, John Michael Chandash, Drew Collins, Daniel Covington, Will Cox, William Cross, Jayden Daniels, Kaden Daniels, Ethan Denaburg, Michael Dobbs, William Douglas, Grant Downey, Leyton Downey, Allen Dye, Harrison Faust, Grayson Folmar, John Friloux, Parker Fulton, Hudson Hager, Chuck Hammack, Spence Hanna, Samuel Hanson, John Paul Head, Harrison Heath, Monty Hedgmon, Marshall Henderson, Jacob Herr, John Hinton Hogue, Hill Hughen, Charlie Ingram, Dylan Jaquess, Aarya John, Brady Johnson, Gaines Johnson, Benji Keene, Matthew Ledbetter, Bruce Littleton, JD Livingston, Jack Lockhard, Chandler Long, James Lucas, Roman Maners, Carson Mann, Riggs Manown, Brendan Marshall, Jack Mayhall, Whitten McCulley, Morgan McInnis, Tanner McInnis, Jack McMurray, Ben Mendheim, Maddox Merrill, Carter Metcalf, Cooper Mollison, Jimmy Moxley, Jake Murphree, Kohen Nelson, James O’Neil, Houston Owen, Landon Page, Luke Parsons, Douglas Perry, Allan Peterson, William Plaisance, Glen Porter, Daniel Reynolds, Keown Richardson, John Martin Richter, Logan Richter, Braydon Robertson, Eli Rooks, Chase Rose III, Jordan Ross, William Sasser, Gentry Sharpe, Bo Shea, Loftin Shepard, Carter Shirley, Owen Simpson, Jordan Skrabo, Blake Smith, Greer Smith, Wheeler Smith, Wesley Smith, Hollis Smith, Tucker Smitha, Blake Smitha, Cole Stafford, Bo Stockard, Worth Stoddard, Robert Stone, Luke Swanzy, Andrew Sykes, Mitch Taylor, Griffin Thompson, Jack Thompson, Townsend Tinney, William Tonsmeirer, Cross Tonsmeirer, Luke Turner, Talan Turner, Kent Vickers, Vince Visser, Jacob Watson, Thomas Waudby Jr., Chase Webb, William Webster, Lane Whisenhunt, John Clark Williamson and George Wolf.
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Bresler believes what the Patriots’ first team accomplished paved the way for Homewood’s state championship in 1974, in only the third year of the“Weprogram.hadestablished a winning team,” Bresler said. “I think that set the stage for our state championship team two years later.”
Seniorsaid.Carter Lehman and juniors Jacob Porco and Hunter Cox will play inside.Freshman Colton Moore (6-2, 190) also will receive playing time. “He’s got a really bright future,” Crane said.
Secondary Senior Devan Moss returns and will play both cornerback and safety. Senior Bobby Laury also will play cornerback, as will junior Drowdy Hackbarth, who was the backup quarterback last year. Sophomores Robert Yoder and Cole Kelly and senior Jacob Helgason will receive playing time at safety. “We’ve got some young guys who need to work and develop each day,” Crane said. Kickers Murphy handled all the kicking chores last year and figures to do most of it this season. Junior James Whatley, a soccer player playing his first season, also willkick.EAGLES
season. William Webb, a 300-pound senior, will play right Sophomoreguard.Marvin Patrick will be a utility guy, but the Patriots lack depth behind those six.
Secondary Plenty of experience returns in the secondary with senior safeties Will Cox and Michael Dobbs and senior cornerback Grant Downey. Senior Kent Vickers also will play some at safety. Juniors Kohen Nelson, Luke Beckham or Kaden Daniels or senior Vince Vickers will be the other starting cornerback. “I like our depth in the secondary,” Evans said. “I think it’s the strength of our defense.”
CRANE
Senior Tucker Smitha will line up sometimes at running back and also at tight end and slot receiver. “I think he’s going to have a big year if he stays healthy,” Evans said.
Receivers Evans believes junior Keown Richardson is ready to have a breakout year. “I think he has a legitimate chance to be a top prospect,” Evans said. “He’s very talented. He’s going to get a lot of touches in our offense.”
Kickers
Linebackers Senior Garrett Murphy returns at out side“He’slinebacker.oneof the best in Birmingham,” Crane
22 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALOTM FOOTBALL HOMEWOOD From page 8 REBELS From page
Running Backs
From page 16 first victory in program history, beating Holt from Tuscaloosa 16-13, but that was followed by a heartbreaking 13-7 loss at Tarrant. Then, the Patriots played a “home” game against John Carroll, falling 19-14. “We shouldn’t have lost that game,” Bresler recalled. “We deserved to win but didn’t.” Afterward, the Homewood players loaded up the school bus to return to the junior high school. John Carroll passed them along the way on Columbiana Road, riding in a Trailways bus. That only added insult to injury. “They made us look pitiful,” Bresler said. So he went to Mr. Gross, who was on the bus with them, and told him that was going to be the last time they were taking a school bus to a game. “Mr. Gross, who was a 100 percent supporter of the football program, said, ‘Coach, what do you want to do?’ I told him we’re going to ride Greyhound to the rest of our games,” Bresler said. With their new mode of transportation, the Patriots won four of their next five games, beating Midfield, Vestavia Hills, Tuscaloosa County and Emma Sansom from Gadsden and losing only 7-0 at Erwin. They took a 5-4 record into their season finale at Mountain Brook. Bresler treated it like it was the Super Bowl. “It was one of the most important talks I gave to them,” Bresler said. “I told them we had a chance at a winning season or we could have a mediocre season. “We won 6-0 to finish with a 6-4 record, and afterward I told them we were no longer the Patriots but the Fighting Patriots,” Bresler said. “Finishing with a winning record was fantas tic,” Braasch said. “I heard that was the first time a team had a winning record at a first-year school.” Powell said, “It was really important for us to have a winning record. We were all very competi tive and wanted to establish a winning tradition.”
DEFENSE Defensive Line
PATRIOTS From page 4
The three starters on the defensive line return: senior nose guard Maxy Salazar, senior defensive end Aaron Ford and junior defensive end Hayden BergusonEldridge.isexcited about freshman nose guard Randall Jaquez. “He’s just a baby, but he disrupts a lot of plays and is hard to block,” Berguson said. Junior Will Keown will be the primary back up at defensive end. Linebackers This is the one group on the defense that lacks experience. Senior outside Adam Parker is the only returning starter. Senior Rigdon Gibbons moved from the defensive line to mid dle linebacker to give the Patriots another veter an presence.Sophomore Trust Darnell and freshman Luke Eldridge will get time at inside linebacker, while sophomore Talton Thomas, junior Finn Pennington and senior Jordan Cottrell will play some at outside linebacker.
“We thought about using him at linebacker because he’s such a hard hitter, but he’s too valuable at safety,” Berguson said. Junior Jackson Warren, sophomore C.J. Tidmore and freshman John Griffin are also vying for playing time at safety.
Linebackers
Evans called the linebacking corps a “good group,” spearheaded by senior middle lineback er Houston Owen. Senior Chase Rose also will play some in the middle.
Secondary Three defensive backs return, including start ing cornerbacks Parker Sansing and Owen Isenhower, both seniors. Sophomore Malek Smiley and senior Carter Dabbs will provide depth at Seniorcorner.Clay Burdeshaw returns at safety and is the leader of the defense.
The Rebels are thin at running back — “It’s an area of concern,” Evans said — and will rely on youth with brothers William Tonsmeire, a sophomore, and Cross Tonsmeire, a freshman, sharing the load.
DEFENSE Defensive Line “We’ve got two good seniors back in Andrew Sykes and Lane Whisenhunt,” Evans said. Sykes is a defensive end and Whisenhunt a defensiveNewcomertackle.Jordan Ross, a 6-5, 215-pound junior, is slated to start at the other end. “He’s a basketball kid who decided to come out,” Evans said. “He’s very raw, but he is very athletic and has good Seniorsize.”Wheeler Smith will be in the mix at nose guard, with senior Will Brown and sopho more Monty Hedgmon providing depth.
Juniors Gaines Johnson and Gibson Bean and senior Dylan Jaquess will rotate on the out side. John Martin Richter – a 6-3, 220-pound senior – will line up at linebacker or free safety, depending on the situation.
BreslerAlvincourtesyPhoto
The Rebels entered preseason practice with out a clear-cut favorite for the punting and kick ing “We’vechores. got to find a punter and we have three competing to be the place-kicker and han dle kickoff duties,” Evans said. “It’s an area of concern.”JackBrewer, who was the place-kicker last year, has decided to focus on soccer. Sophomore Owen Simpson, juniors Carter Shirley and William Webster and senior Benji Keene are listed on the roster as kickers. 20 has a chance to be decent, although it lacks depth. Senior Davis Coggin returns at nose guard. Emmanuel Waller, a 6-4, 250-pound senior who transferred from Chelsea, will start at one defensive end. Either sophomore Caleb Jaworski or senior Jack Ronilo will be the other start er at defensive end.
Homewood head coach Alvin Bresler, front, assembled a staff that included successful vet eran coaches, from left, Dave Beason, Wayne Sheets and Jackie Clayton.
Brady Johnson, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound senior who transferred in from Southlake Carroll in Texas, will give the quarterbacks a big target. “He’s a good-looking kid,” Evans said. Juniors Jayden Daniels and Cooper Mollison will provide depth. Senior Warren Ainsworth returns at tight end.
TYLER
‘We lost a couple of key guys, but I feel like we’ve got guys in place who will do a good job for us.’
Whit Armistead, who kicked a game-winning field goal against Vestavia Hills last season, will handle the place-kicking duties. “He’s got a good leg and is pretty good on field goals from 35 yards in,” Berguson said. Ray will be the punter. “It adds another dimension when you have your quarterback as your punter,” Berguson said. “If they leave someone uncovered, he will just throw it to them. Plus, he’s a good punter.” in 2021.“He’s a Tim Tebow type because he can run and get the tough yards,” Evans said. “He’s a good leader, someone the other kids will follow.” Junior Luke Turner also will play. He received most of the reps in spring training while Head was playing on the Rebels’ state playoff baseball team. Sophomore Bruce Littleton is waiting in the “Iwings.feel good about our quarterback situation,” Evans said. “We’re going to try to play as fast as possible. We want to snap it more than any team in Alabama.”
Kickers
Offensive Line The Rebels will have a senior-laden offen sive line, anchored by center Hudson Hager and guard Jack Lockhart, who moved over from running back. Senior tackles Glen Porter and Riggs Manown, and sophomore guard J.D. Livingston are the other starters. Senior guard Mitch Taylor also will rotate in, but the Rebels lack depth.
Receivers
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Junior guard Charles Smith, junior tackle Ben Burkhart and junior center Carter Colvin will provide depth. Junior Richard Kinsaul will serve as a utility guy. Junior J.B. Cook will be the long snapper.
Secondary Seniors Mac Palmer and Braxton Dean will man the safety positions, with junior Clyde Beavers, junior Tucker Crawford, sophomore Hampton King and junior Benjamin Payne serv ing as cornerbacks.
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Thursday, August 25, 2022 • 23OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL OTM FOOTBALL and strong; Jack has a burst of quickness; and Will has great vision and great hands. All three of them can catch the ball out of the back field.”
DEFENSE Defensive Line Senior nose tackle Ethan Wint and senior defensive end Parker Avery are returning start ers. Several others will rotate in and out. The group includes senior Sam Hunt, senior Billy Hoyt, senior Geoffrey Cook, senior Carter Drew, senior Will Trojano, senior John Handy, senior Carl Evans and junior James Hard. Linebackers
Offensive Line Three starters return up front – senior center Davis Peterson, senior guard Mac Smith and junior guard William Courtenay. Senior Henry Boehme, senior William Tomlin or junior Watts Alexander will start at the tackle spots.
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Senior Jackson Beatty is a seasoned veteran who has committed to Samford. Junior Clark Sanderson and senior Rob Gillespie also have varsity experience. Junior Hudson Young, senior Sam Edmunds, senior Jack Earnhardt and junior Andrew Marks are also in the mix.
Alabama
Senior Trent Wright returns at middle line backer and senior Vaugh Frost at weak-side line backer. Junior Drew Widener is expected to start at strong-side linebacker. Providing depth are junior Pelham Comer, senior Billy Radney, senior Pete Fruin, junior Joe Green, junior Will Lucas, junior Simms Sledge and senior Sam McPherson.
Kickers Standout senior Reed Harradine, fresh off helping the Spartans win their first soccer state championship in the spring, will handle the kicking“He’schores.pretty special,” Yeager said.
24 • Thursday, August 25, 2022 OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNALOTM FOOTBALL 14 PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS SAME-DAY205-974-0744APPOINTMENTS Grandview Medical Group makes it easier to see a primary care provider –quickly. Just call 205-974-0744. Most calls will result in a same-day appointment with a physician or nurse practitioner at one of our 14 primary care locations. If you or a family member age five or older needs to see a doctor fast, think Grandview Medical Group. Cahaba Heights • Chelsea • Columbiana • Grandview Physicians Plaza • Greystone • Homewood Hoover • Lee Branch • Liberty Park • Pelham • Springville • Trussville • Vestavia Hills Visit GrandviewPrimaryCareProviders.com or call 205-974-0744 to schedule your same-day appointment.
