By Rubin E. Grant
As he embarks on his 42nd season as Vestavia Hills’ head football coach, Buddy Anderson is not about to change anything.
“We’ll do what we’ve always done,” Anderson said. “We’ll throw it when we want to and we’ll run with it.”
And on defense, the Rebels will attack.
“I think we have a strong unit on defense,” Anderson said. “We have six returning starters and a bunch of players who played a good bit last year, so they have more experience. They’re aggressive and we’ve got good overall team speed.”
Anderson hopes that formula will be good enough to earn the Rebels a state playoff berth. Vestavia Hills finished 6-4 last year and missed the playoffs. All four losses came in rugged Class 7A, Region 3 to Mountain Brook, Hewitt-Trussville, Thompson and Hoover.
“Our region is just that tough,” Anderson said. “There were a couple of games we let slip away.
“We’ve got to be ready to play every week.”
Backfield
The Rebels will have an experienced quarterback to lead the offense. Senior Eli Sawyer returns for his second season as the starter.
“He has as good an arm as anybody I’ve coached,” Anderson said. “And he has experience. That’s something you can’t manufacture. It has to be earned.”
Junior Braden Glenn will back up Sawyer.
“We’re hoping to get him into games some,” Anderson said.
The Rebels will employ several running backs to try to replace Cooper Bishop, who graduated.
“We don’t have anybody like Cooper who can carry the ball 20-25 times a game,” Anderson said. “We’ll play two or three tailbacks.”
Anderson mentioned junior Taiyo Crawford, seniors A.J. Powell and Greg Brown and sophomores Bryant Agee and Pierce Hanna as the ones competing for playing time.
“We’re looking at all five of them,” Anderson said. “Each of them brings a different skill set to the table.”
Junior Landon Neese will start at fullback with sophomore John Edwards and senior Joe Phifer serving as backups.
Receivers
Seniors Chandler Merrill and Peyton Walraven return after seeing extensive playing time in 2018. Seniors Wells Watts, Ben Jackson, Walker Bunn and Gavin Harvey and junior Charlie Hughes will be in the mix.
The Rebels graduated tight end Michael Vice, who Anderson said was “as good a tight end as we’ve had in years.” Vice now is at Samford.
Seniors Jackson Trotman and Andrew Baynham and junior Hasting Sykes are competing for playing time at tight end.
“All three are good blockers and have good hands,” Anderson said.
Offensive Line
The Rebels are rebuilding on the offensive line. Senior guard Garrison Dabbs is the only returning starter. Junior Drew Ulch figures to be the other starting guard with junior John King, senior Matthew Gray and sophomore Jack Dawsey battling for playing time.
Junior Dawson Ray, who is 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, will start at one tackle spot and senior William Lott and sophomore Max Neuroth will alternate at the other tackle spot. Sophomore Hoke Smith provides depth.
Sophomore Hill Stokes is the likely starter at center with seniors Michael Weaver and Eli Bratton, and Neuroth also on hand.
“They’re getting better,” Anderson said. “I feel at some point they’re going to gel and we’ll have a good offensive line.”
Defensive Line
Seniors Bennett Whisenhunt, a converted linebacker, and Jake Levant will start at defensive end. Juniors Bryce Littleton and Carter Tyus and sophomores Trey Saunders and Blake Jeffers also will see considerable playing time.
The Rebels have six players competing for playing time at defensive tackle. The likely starters will be seniors Cal Stubbs and Will White. Seniors Taviyan Tanniehill and Caleb Leak and juniors Everett Thompson and Michael Lawrence also will play.
Linebackers
Seniors Wilson Owen and Cole Johnston, junior Josh Cheatham and sophomore Jack Davis head the linebacking corps. Whisenhunt and Levant also could play outside linebacker because of the Rebels’ defensive scheme.
Secondary
Seniors Sam Willoughby and Colton Horne all start at cornerback with juniors Camren Lyaka and Tyler Moore serving as backups.
Junior Brock Payner returns as the starter at strong safety with senior Jermaine Harris, sophomore Thomas Watson and juniors Caleb Uhlich and Leighton Reese serving as reserves.
Senior Will Brooks returns for his third season as the starting free safety. Junior Joseph Sullivan and sophomore John Ross Ashley also are on hand.
Kickers
Senior Conner Knighten figures to handle the place-kicking and punting duties following the graduation of Caleb Huber. Junior Matthew McMeans also could see action as a kicker/punter and Watts could be used on kickoffs.
The Rebels will open the regular season Aug. 30 at Homewood. They will play their first Class 7A, Region 3 game against Spain Park on Sept. 6.
