By Rubin E. Grant Coming off his worst performance of the 2020 high school football season, Oak Mountain junior quarterback Evan Smith became nearly unstoppable. Smith, a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, finished with only 67 yards rushing on nine carries and completed only 3 of 11 passes for 40 yards in a 42-7 game at Hoover on Sept. 18. After that, Smith exploded, with his … [Read more...]
Shining Bright: Waugh’s ‘Fabulous’ Season Earns All-OTM Defensive Player of the Year
By Rubin E. GrantBriarwood Christian senior Tyler Waugh tried to deflect the spotlight, but it shined on him nonetheless.That’s what happens when you lead the Birmingham metro area with 165 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for losses, make three interceptions, force four fumbles, recover three fumbles and score two defensive touchdowns. And in short-yardage and goal-line … [Read more...]
OTMJ’s Rubin E. Grant Earns ASHOF 2021 Mel Allen Media Award
The Over The Mountain Journal’s very own Rubin Grant is being given the 2021 Mel Allen Media Award for his lifetime contribution to sports as a journalist. Grant will join previous winners Paul Finebaum, Cecil Hurt, Ron Ingram, Tom Roberts, George Smith and John Pruett who hold the award from the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. The award is named for Mell Allen of Birmingham, … [Read more...]
Great Expectations: Spain Park Boys Basketball Garnering Attention
By Rubin E. Grant Spain Park boys basketball coach Chris Laatsch would prefer that his team fly under the radar right now, but that’s going to be difficult because of the way the Jaguars are playing. The Jags improved to 10-0 Friday with a 47-46 victory against crosstown rival Hoover Bucs on Senior Night at Spain Park. It was the latest impressive victory in the first month … [Read more...]
Title Quest: Lady Bucs Eager to Resume Basketball Season After COVID-19 Outbreak
By Rubin E. Grant The Hoover girls basketball team had one goal coming into this season: reclaim the Class 7A championship. But after four blowout wins to start the season, the Lady Bucs had to hit the pause button because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had several players and coaches test positive, so we went into quarantine,” Hoover coach Krystle Johnson said. “I tested … [Read more...]