By Rubin E. Grant
“Spiderman, Spiderman, friendly neighborhood, Spiderman
Wealth and fame, he ignores, action is his reward
Look out, here comes the Spiderman”
Logan Brewer is not a superhero like Spiderman, but apparently he has the so-called “spidey sense.”
At least that’s what Mountain Brook football coach Chris Yeager says about his senior two-way player whose No. 4 jersey seems to show up everywhere on the field.
“He’s got a sixth sense, a spider sense,” Yeager said. “He sees things that other players don’t see. He’s always a step ahead. He’s got good speed, but in the region we play in they all have good speed. But he’s so savvy and smart, it gives him an edge.”
The “spider sense” refers to spiders’ early-warning system called eyes that enable them to detect danger coming their way.
Brewer, a defensive back/wide receiver/kick returner, certainly knows beforehand when the football is coming his way.
In the Spartans’ 36-6 season-opening victory against Northridge, Brewer returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown and also caught a 20-yard scoring pass from quarterback Strother Gibbs.
The next week, Brewer had another pick-6, returning an interception 37 yards for a touchdown to lift the Spartans to a 24-6 victory against Center Point.
A week later, Brewer returned a kickoff 54 yards to set up the go-ahead touchdown in Mountain Brook’s 31-21 victory against Tuscaloosa County.
“He’s an outstanding playmaker,” Yeager said. “He has great anticipation and he loves to compete, and he loves to play.”
Brewer will look to make some more big plays when Mountain Brook (4-0 and 2-0 in Class 7A, Region 3) visits Vestavia Hills (3-0, 2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday in a showdown for the top spot in the region standings.
The Rebels have been nearly unstoppable on offense, averaging 46.3 points per game.
“They’re obviously a very good football team,” Brewer said. “We’re going to have to be prepared and our defense is going to have to play well. This is an important game for our season.”
Making His Mark
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Brewer has surprised himself with the impact he’s made early in the season. He has recorded more than 20 tackles, including several in the Spartans’ 49-35 victory at Spain Park last week.
“I had no idea I would have the impact I’ve had in the first few games, but I am excited about it,” Brewer said. “It’s a big role playing both ways.”
Brewer was slated to start at cornerback during the 2018 season, but basketball standout Alex Washington decided to join the football team for his senior season and became the starter.
Instead of sulking, Brewer contributed as a reserve and helped Washington with the nuances of playing cornerback.
“He came ready to play,” Yeager said. “He blocked a punt against Austin (in the playoffs) and made some other plays for us.”
In the spring, Yeager and his coaching staff decided they needed Brewer on the field virtually all the time.
“We knew he would be a key to our success this year,” Yeager said. “We decided in the offseason that he would play both ways.
“We’ve had two or three guys who played both ways in the 20 years I’ve been here. David Blount was an impact player on both sides of the ball, but we haven’t had one since then.”
Blount graduated in 2003 and later played running back at Samford. While at Mountain Brook, Blount made approximately 500 tackles and rushed for nearly 1,200 yards.
Brewer was caught off guard when the coaches informed him he would play both ways.
“They told me after the spring game,” Brewer said. “I was surprised. It’s a big role. I was not expecting them to put that much responsibility on me, but at the same time, it means a lot that they have that kind of trust in me.”
Brewer grew up playing defense, but he doesn’t know whether he prefers defense or offense.
“On defense, I love making tackles,” he said. “On offense, I love catching passes. I can’t choose one over the other.
“I think of myself as trying to do whatever I can to make our team as successful as possible.”
Playing both ways leaves Brewer drained, but not for long.
“Saturday when I wake up I’m sore,” he said. “I don’t wake up late. When I get up, then I get the adrenalin going and I watch some film and get ready for the next game.”
Chasing Football Title
Brewer is a two-sport athlete. He also plays lacrosse and helped the Spartans win the Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association state championship in the spring, scoring two goals in the final against Vestavia Hills.
“It was an awesome experience, winning a state championship,” he said.
The two sports are mutually beneficial. “Both are so different and so much fun,” Brewer said. “Lacrosse helps me with agility and football helps me stay physical.”
This fall, Brewer would like to add a state football title to go along with the lacrosse crown.
“My main goal this fall is to win a state championship,” Brewer said. “We definitely play in a tough region. We have to play well in big games and make big plays.
“Our coaches work countless hours getting us ready each week. They want us to go out and play with heart and guts and not quit and leave everything on the field.”
