By Lee Davis It seems like we’ve been waiting forever, but the Alabama high school football playoffs finally begin this weekend. Last week’s season finales were important, but they had the feel of NFL exhibition games in that they meant nothing in the region standings. Now we are back to business, and the first round – as always – is intriguing and fraught with danger for … [Read more...]
Tour de Frances
By Lee Davis Although Frances Patrick already has helped Mountain Brook win four state cross-country championships, there is still one aspect of the sport she doesn’t enjoy – snakes. “I hate snakes,” Patrick admitted when contacted last week. “I’ve seen a few of them while running, but I haven’t been bitten yet. Knock on wood.” Patrick may not care for snakes, but it hasn’t … [Read more...]
Home Again: Ex-Rebel Enjoying Role at Samford
By Lee Davis Jose Casanova loves to play college football. Or, more specifically, he loves playing football at Samford University. After an outstanding career as a defensive lineman at Vestavia Hills, Casanova signed with UAB. After three years with the Blazers, he decided to make a change. And he found just the right place to go. “I had a good experience at UAB and still … [Read more...]
OTM Students Recognized as National Merit Scholar Semifinalists
Earlier this month, the National Merit Scholarship Program announced the semifinalists for the 2016 competition. The program began with about 1.5 million entrants. In this round, that number is whittled down to 16,000. In the spring, 7,400 students will be selected as National Merit Scholars and will receive $32 million in scholarships. At Hoover High School, Juhee Agrawal, … [Read more...]
Linebacker Joe: Spartan Makes Big Comeback From Injury
By Lee Davis Joe Donald will always remember the homecoming game of his junior year. For all the wrong reasons. Donald, a standout linebacker for Mountain Brook, broke his left tibia in his ankle in the Spartans’ 35-16 homecoming win against Thompson. He spent six weeks wearing a cast and another four weeks with his leg in a boot. Weeks of rehabilitation followed. Mountain … [Read more...]