By Loyd McIntosh
Photos by Jordan Wald
Vestavia Hills’ dream season came up just short of a state title as the Rebels’ flag football team fell to Central-Phenix City 46-7 in the 6A-7A championship game at Protective Stadium.
Vestavia Hills Head Coach Daniel Davis said the team came in playing some of its best football all year, including playoff wins over Hewitt-Trussville, Homewood, and Spain Park to reach the finals. However, Central, one of the best teams in the nation, was just too much for the Rebels in the end as the Red Devils capped a perfect season, capturing their third straight title.
“We knew it was going to be tough going into that game. I think Central is the best team in the country,” Davis said. “They’re tough to defend, and their quarterback, Maria Harrison, is as good as advertised.
“We came down there with a few new wrinkles on offense and in our first drive, we ran some of those plays and kind of caught them off guard a little bit,” Davis added. “I love the way our girls kept playing and kept fighting, kept battling, and they didn’t hang their heads. We took one on the chin, but they kept fighting until the end.
Vestavia Hills finished the season with an impressive 28-2 record, including 26 straight wins after an early-season loss to 5A champs Moody. The season also marks the end of Rebels’ Julia Rose’s high school career, one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. During her two years as the starter, Rose threw for more than 12,000 yards and 198 touchdowns.
