Vestavia Hills 49, Westside (Anderson, SC) 7
Vestavia Hills is off to a hot start to the 2025 season with a convincing 49-7 win over Westside High School (Anderson, S.C.) The Rebels wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as quarterback Charlie Taffe connected with Grayson Harper, his first of two touchdown receptions, on a 57-yard touchdown pass after just over one minute of play. Taffe scored on a 15-yard run barely two minutes later, and one minute later threw for his second touchdown of the night on a 34-yard pass to Will Ainsworth. Westside managed to score its only touchdown late in the first quarter, but it was all Vestavia the rest of the way. The Rebels added three more touchdowns in the second quarter, scoring on a 36-yard pass to Harper and on rushing touchdowns by Taffe from 11 yards out and a one-yard plunge by Carson Purdy, to lead Westside 42-7 at halftime. Major Weaver scored the Rebels final touchdown of the night on an 8-yard run with just over 4 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Taffe went 7-of-14 passing, for 161 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 96 yards and two scores. Purdy rushed for 60 yards and one touchdown, and Weaver chipped in with 42 yards and a touchdown. Harper had a stellar night, leading all receivers with 106 yards and two touchdowns. Vestavia Hills (1-0) hosts Auburn on Friday, August 29, at 7 p.m.
Mountain Brook 44, Demopolis 7
Mountain Brook opened the season with a dominant 44-7 win over Demopolis Friday night at Spartan Stadium. Quarterback Cayden Hofbauer and wide receiver Sam Smith created fireworks early, connecting on three touchdown passes of 31, 51, and 2 yards in the first half en route to a 37-point rout over the visiting Tigers. Hofbauer finished the night completing 7 of his 14 passing attempts for 128 yards and four touchdowns, including a 21-yard pass to Gabe Smith late in the third quarter. Sam Smith led all receivers with four catches for 97 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, running back Stuart Andrews had a superb night, rushing for 108 yards on 12 carries, scoring twice, including a 37-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Sophomore running back Ryder McMakin contributed to the ground game with 69 yards on nine carries for the Spartans.
The Mountain Brook offense racked up 350 total yards, 128 passing and 222 rushing. Defensively, Mountain Brook held Demopolis to 215 yards, 102 through the air and 113 rushing, only allowing 50 yards in the first half. Defensive back Lawson McKnight had an outstanding night with nine tackles, and Boyd Cooper added six tackles and one fumble recovery. Mountain Brook (1-0) travels to defending 6A champion Parker on Friday, August 29. Parker (1-0) defeated the Spartans twice last season, including in the second round of the playoffs. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
