By Loyd McIntosh
After a slow start in 2024, Vestavia Hills rebounded – to use a basketball term – in a major way. The Rebels dropped their first three games – including a flukey, last-second loss to region rivals Hewitt-Trussville in the second game of the season – then went on a tear.
The good guys finished the season winning six of their eight games, including a convincing 42-21 victory over Mary G. Montgomery in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) playoffs.
Vestavia Hills’ final record would read an even 6-6, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
The Rebels went 4-3 in what is undoubtedly the most cutthroat region in the state – 7A Region 3. They also faced some great out-of-area teams with a combined record of 28-2, including Auburn, Carver-Montgomery, and 6A powerhouse Clay-Chalkville, a team Vestavia Hills beat by two touchdowns in late-season action.
The Rebels are also one of only five teams to advance to the ASHAA quarterfinals for the third consecutive year. Vestavia Hills Head Coach Robert Evans said the difficulty of the 2024 schedule paid dividends as the season progressed.
“We played the toughest schedule in Alabama last year, and I was quite proud of our team,” says Evans. “We played our best ball at the end of the year, and that speaks to the maturation of our younger players who were forced to grow up against the best the state has to offer.”
The 2025 season is shaping up to be just as brutal. In addition to region foes like Thompson (2024 state champions), Hewitt-Trussville, and Hoover, Vestavia Hills will face 2024 7A runner-up Auburn again this season.
Also on the schedule is 2024 5A state champs, Montgomery Catholic, as well as one of the top teams in South Carolina, the Westside Rams, 2023 5A state champions – the highest level in South Carolina. Westside will travel to Vestavia Hills to open the season on Friday, August 22.
Evans says the challenge will be navigating the schedule, which has no easy games in 2025. He adds that if the team can avoid injuries and develop positive chemistry, then a good year and another trip to the playoffs are in sight.
“As a team, we have to really manage the season. We will probably have to adjust the schedule on the next cycle, but there are no off weeks anywhere to be found this year,” Evans says. “Hopefully we can stay healthier this year, gel as a team, and win the critical games to get into the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.”
Offense
Offensively, Evans notes that the Rebels have some key positions returning with experience in 2025, including senior Caleb Boylan. A three-year starter, the 5-foot-10-inch, 235-pound center is the anchor of the offensive line, a player Evans says “has been in the fire quite a bit” during his high school run. Other seniors returning on the offensive line are Pearson Tucker and Brody Glenn, who will provide veteran leadership up front.
At quarterback, Evans says the Rebels have two athletes – Charlie Taaffe and Price LeMaster – who can, and will, play under center in 2025, although he is quick to say they don’t have a two-quarterback offense.
Taaffe, a junior, has played with the varsity since his freshman year and may see playing at other positions during the season. “He is a natural-born leader who just makes plays,” says Evans. LeMaster, also a rising junior, is more of a traditional drop-back passer, but has the athleticism to make plays in other ways as well. Evans says the offense, under the auspices of Offensive Coordinator Josh Franklin, may feature Taaffe and LeMaster on the field at the same time throughout the season.
“Both Charlie and Price are athletic players with leadership qualities and the intangibles it takes to be successful as a quarterback,” Evans says. “Price is in the mold of a traditional pocket quarterback, and Charlie can go a little bit more off script, which is usually a good thing.”
At running back, junior Noah Boylan looks to make a major contribution to the offense after a solid sophomore year. In 2024, Boyolan appeared in nine games, amassing 208 rushing yards and one touchdown, and 97 receiving yards and two scores. “Noah got a lot of work last year as a sophomore and is poised for a breakout season,” says Evans.
Also lining up in the backfield is senior Carson Purdy, who contributed 144 yards on the ground and 25 yards receiving in 2024. Evans says Boylan and Purdey will be the workhorses out of the backfield this season. “Noah and Carson Purdy are both good high school backs. They run hard, understand our offense, and can catch the ball out of the backfield,” Evans says.
Evans says the coaching staff has also been pleased with senior Major Weaver and junior Carter Stagner this summer.
Evans says the Rebels have a corps of talented receivers and tight ends that will be key to the offense this fall. Among the receivers are junior and returning starter Luke Stubbs, who “had a great second half of the year last year and should have a productive year,” Evans says. In 2024, Stubbs had 27 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns.
Additionally, junior Zach Laws is an athletic, shifty receiver who can make defenders miss as well as anyone on the team, and senior Hayes Hudson has had a great offseason and will be a solid threat for the Rebels as well.
The group of tight ends is led by Will Ainsworth, who Evans says is “one of the best leaders we have on our team.” Evans also has high expectations for junior Grayson Harper and sophomore Braxton Hunt. “Both Grayson and Braxton have the versatility that helps our offense go,” Evans says.
Defense
On the other side of the ball, Evans says the defensive line is shaping up to be a strong point for 2025. “Defensively, we will be better than we have been up front,” says Evans. “You win and lose ball games in the trenches, and we have to be better there to win against the upper echelon in the region.”
The D-line will be anchored by senior Josh Arenall, a two-year starter who recently set a school record for the deadlift. Additionally, senior Rush Harper and juniors Haines Bridges and Paxton Ussery are strong, talented linemen and a force to be reckoned with.
“Josh, Haines, and Paxton are all solid players who can play in this region and be winning players,” Evans says. “Rush Harper is a Wildcard because he can play a multitude of positions.”
At linebacker, Evans has confidence in juniors Nick Williams and Daniel Richardson, who gained valuable playing time as sophomore due to injuries and have performed well in the offseason. “We will be better as a team because they had to play last year as sophomores,” says Evans.
Additionally, linebacker Grayer Manown, cornerbacks Parker Simpson and Layton Osborn, strong safety Walker Hogue, and cornerback Will Bochnak will start on defense in 2025 after contributing mostly on special teams last year.
Regardless of the outcome in 2025, Evans says he is proud of the young men on the Rebel roster and how they comport themselves on and off the field.
“We have great kids who want to compete at the highest level and represent their families and community well,” Evans says.
