By Blake Ells This isn’t quite the Vestavia Hills football team you’ve grown to know. After defeating Spain Park for the first time in three years, a 28-21 victory on Sept. 7, the Rebels are poised to make some noise in 7A Region 3. Vestavia beat Tuscaloosa County 28-19 in Region 3 play at home last Friday. Their first two victories have come not just on the ground, but … [Read more...]
Battling Back: Ben Abercrombie Keeping the Faith as he Recovers From Spinal Injury
By Rubin E. Grant As Hoover was preparing for its big football game against Thompson two weeks ago, former Buc Ben Abercrombie was back in the hospital. Abercrombie was planning to go to the game, as he had the Bucs’ opener against Pinson Valley, but he couldn’t because of an infection related to his spinal injury. It’s been a year since Abercrombie sustained a paralyzing … [Read more...]
‘Definitely Different from Being On the Field’: Wilson Settling in as Alabama Radio Broadcaster
By Rubin E. Grant John Parker Wilson has been around football for more than 20 years, but the last thing he expected this fall was to be part of the Alabama radio broadcast team. “It definitely wasn’t on my radar,” Wilson said. But when color commentator Phil Savage left the radio team in July, the Alabama athletic department tabbed Wilson, who was the Crimson Tide’s … [Read more...]
Patriot Path: Eventful Start for Donaldson’s First Season as Homewood’s Cross Country Coach
By Rubin E. Grant Josh Donaldson has had more than his share of ups and downs the past few weeks. On Sept. 2, the Sunday after he returned from the Patriots’ season-opening meet in Memphis, his father, Dr. Steve Donaldson, died following a five-year battle with cancer. The elder Donaldson, 66, was a professor and computer science program director at Samford University, where … [Read more...]
Brotherly Bond: Queens Savoring Experience as Teammates at Samford
By Rubin E. Grant When the Samford Bulldogs opened their 2018 season last week against Shorter University, senior long snapper Tyler Queen from Vestavia Hills was wearing the Charles Williams Memorial Jersey. His younger brother, Tucker Queen, a sophomore defensive back, said he couldn’t think of anyone more deserving to wear the No. 5 jersey, which is awarded to a different … [Read more...]