On Friday, the #10 Vestavia Hills Rebels will travel to face the #3 Carver-Montgomery Wolverines in the 2024 Kickoff Classic at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Both teams have high expectations for the 2024 season and look to make an impact in the two most challenging regions in Class 7A.
Vestavia Hills finished 8-2 and 5-2 in Region 3 play last season. The Rebels were eliminated by Thompson 34-14 in the quarterfinals in the 7A playoffs last year. The Rebels hope to make that quarterfinal appearance and advance to the 2024 playoffs.
Quarterback John Paul Head was a huge part of the Rebels offense last season, but he has graduated, and the Rebels offense will turn to sophomore quarterback Charlie Taaffe. "Charlie is a duel sport athlete that has some baseball offers and hopefully some football offers," said Rebels head coach Robert Evans. "He is a very athletic kid who backed up our quarterback last year as a freshman. Having a freshman play varsity football and baseball is unusual, but he did both. His teammates respect him. If he stays healthy, he is going to have a big year. This will be trial by fire, and you don't play a schedule like this and not make any mistakes, not turn the ball over, and not have some rough nights. He is a winner, and the kids believe in him."
At running back, William Tonsmeire returns for the Rebels. Besides the QB Head running the ball, Tonsmeire had most of the carries. Tonsmeire didn't play in the jamboree game against Pell City last week and is questionable this week. Tonsmeire can run inside the tackles with his size and strength but can make you miss when he gets the ball on the perimeter. Other Rebel running backs that will see action will be junior Carson Purdy, junior Whit Williamson, and sophomore Noah Boylan. At the H-back is senior Bruce Littleton. Littleton can do a little of everything. He has sure hands that can move the sticks on short pass plays, is another solid blocker, and is a good runner if he gets the chance to carry the football. Carson Mann backs up Littleton at the H-back position.
The Rebels receivers are talented but have a limited amount of experience across the board. Chase Webb has the speed to go deep and to stretch the defense. The senior wide receiver has 10.6 in the 100-meter sprint, one of the top 7A sprinters in Alabama. Webb had a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown against Hewitt-Trussville last season. Eli Rooks will be a move-the-chain guy, while Luke Stubbs and Hayes Hudson will get some chances on deep passes.
The offensive line has experience, starting with JD Livingston at left guard. The senior lineman stands at 6-foot-3, 265 plus pounds, and can run and pass block with the best of them. Livingston has an offer from Huntingdon College in Montgomery. Center Caleb Boylan returns and will have another year of experience to lean on. Right guard Landon Page has experience from last season. The two new offensive linemen are tackles junior Carson Feagan and sophomore Copeland Styles.
Kicker Owen Simpson has a big leg for the Rebels. The senior was an all-region player and an all-state honorable mention last season and can kick over 50-yard field goals. Simpson kicked a 49-yard field goal in a first-round playoff game against Austin the previous year. During the season, Simpson was 10-of-11 in field goals and put the ball in the end zone at kickoffs. It is essential for the defense as the Rebels play some high-power offenses this season.
Special teams play an essential role for Vestavia Hills. They are among the top in the state in those areas. "You can see essential kicking duties, fake punts, onside kicks, and about anything from this group," added Evans. "We talked this morning because special teams are critical and involve snappers, holders, returners, and not just kickers. It is the whole operation. We spend a lot of time on it because if we are not good in special teams, we will not win many ball games. It gets overlooked often, but it is critical for us. We know we need to be better at it. Teams know that we are going to do all of this. You will see something out of the ordinary in this first game."
The Rebels defense looks to be good again this season. Middle linebacker Jacob Watson and safety Spence Hanna can make plays all over the field. "He is an alpha," added Evans. "You have years where you don't have those vocal guys who embrace the physical nature that comes with this game. These guys couldn't wait to put the pads on and hit their buddies on the other side of the ball. They want to. These guys don't grow on trees. They are alpha males who have risen through the ranks. If Jacob plays well, we are going to have good nights; if he doesn't play well, then we are going to have some long nights. He is exactly what you want in a middle linebacker: smart, intelligent, and tough. He has the desire to inflict damage." The senior LB had many games with over 13 tackles in a game last year. Watson has an offer from Mississippi College. Watson should be getting more offers, and college coaches need to come to see his work at Vestavia Hills.
The Rebel's defensive front has nose guard Rush Harper and defensive linemen Josh Arendall, William Plaisance, and Yates Bannon. Arendall can get in the backfield and interrupt a play with his speed to the ball. Linebackers Watson, Cross Tonsmeire, and Grayson Bruno will get a lot of action this season. Cross Tonsmeire brings a lot of speed at the linebacker position and can cover a lot of ground with Watson. Senior Bruno is another run-stopper and looks to have a big season for the Rebels defense.
The Rebels' secondary has corners, including Leyton Downey and Larry McSwain, and safeties Owen Wilbanks and Hanna. Downey is another Rebel looking to impact the football field and the baseball diamond. Hanna can run and can cover a lot of ground in the secondary. Hanna has an offer from Sewanee.
Last season, Carver-Montgomery finished at 7-3 overall and lost to Briarwood Christian 25-0 in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. After the season, Sidney Lanier closed their high school, and 11 players moved from Lanier to Carver. "It has been pretty neat with everything that has transpired over the last six or seven months," said Wolverines head coach Bobby Carr. "Kids at Carver haven't had a coach since November, and then Lanier closes down, and you see the things that have transpired there, and you take me, and I've been through a lot in the past few years. So this is an opportunity to take all of this brokeness and put it together and put it together for one large unit. I think what I've seen over the last six months, not just this area but this country, could learn a lot from what is happening at Carver right now, and I'm super excited about being their coach."
The Wolverines have a lot on offense. Returning is quarterback TJ Russell. The senior QB had a tremendous season last year. Russell threw for 2,420 yards with 25 touchdowns last year. "TJ has played well in fall camp," added Carr. "We have thrown a lot at him. I mean a lot. He is a great student of the game and always wants to watch films. He loves football and is excited about his leadership on the team." Russell has offers from Alabama State, Central Michigan, North Alabama, Western Kentucky, Jackson State, Sanford, and Georgia Southern. Look for more to come his way after this season. Russell has a great arm with a good touch and likes to keep his eyes downfield to make the big play for his team. "We are improving and continue to be on the same page with my teammates," said Wolverines QB Russell. "Coaches have come in and it is a new mindset. Still learning plays, watching film, team is starting to come together this fall. It is a blessing to have the wide receiver that work together."
The Wolverines running game is in good hands. Running back Anthony "Turbo" Rogers and Tre Berry are two quick, shifty backs that can make the big play at any time. "Rogers is reserved in our leadership role," said Carr. "But when there needs to be a vocal guy, he will step up at any time and be that guy. Rogers is like Reggie Bush; he can do a little of everything." Rogers can run it and catch it out of the backfield; he is a player who wants the ball in his hands. Rogers spent his first two years at Pike Road. As a freshman, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior helped Pike Road to a state championship. In his junior year, he went off to IMG Academy for a season and returned to Montgomery this year. Rogers is committed to Alabama but is keeping his options open. Akylin Dear, the number two running back in the 2025 class, commits to Alabama, so stay tuned.
Berry is another tremendous runner for Carver. Berry was at Sidney Lanier last year and is coming off a big season. For the Poets, Berry finished with 1,361 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. On defense, he had 15 tackles and 14 tackles for loss, rushing the quarterback. The Poets had such a small team last season that most players had to go both ways. Berry has offers from Illinois State, UAB, Jacksonville State, Northwestern, Liberty, Syracuse, and others.
Wide receivers TK Norman, Zion Crumpton, Ni'king Patterson, and CJ Cargill will start for the Wolverines. "TK can stretch the field with the best of them," said Carr. "Another great leader on the team that adds something different to us in that role." Norman is committed to Texas A&M and can highpoint the ball like no other. If you have a tight window, just let Norman use his athletic ability to go get it and jump and grab it. One of the best receivers in the state. "We can't get tired as a group," said Wolverines WR Norman. "We have been working on our agility. I am a route technician that likes to run routes. I try to work on my seperation, but I know that I can get up a go get it."
Crumpton is another top receiver in Alabama. The 6-1, 165-pound junior is another dynamic receiver that can go. Crumpton is a great route runner and knows how to get open in the secondary. He has excellent hands and can move the sticks or go deep at any time. Crumpton has offers from Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia Tech, among others. Patterson and Cargill will provide depth at a very talented group, and it is going to be an issue for opposing secondaries. Patterson has an offer from Western Kentucky and Tennessee Martin.
The Carver offensive line will be essential for the Wolverines to be victorious this season. Center Cortez Nettles, right guard TyQuann Martin, right tackle Jayden Milledge, left guard Tremayne Chapman and left tackle LaRodney McQueen will get the start against the Rebels. Chapman has an offer to Jackson State. Nettles was the center at Lanier last year and played a big part in the Poet's offense at the center.
The Wolverine's defense has exceptional talent on that side of the ball. Defensive end Donjavion "Juvi" Brown has been a three-year starter and is a player that will be special in getting to that opposing QB this season. "Going against our defense, and they made us better on offense," said Carr. "Juvi brings a lot of speed on that side of the ball. Many people have discussed our offense, but the defense is special." With Brown is defensive end, Jamares Harris. Harris had 16 sacks as a sophomore with Sidney Lanier last season and has an offer from UAB. Nose tackle Rashad Walker and defensive tackle DJ Mossop round out the Wolverine's front line.
Linebackers Noah Maye, Kendarius Reynolds, and Stephon Andrews lead the defense. Maye will be one of the top tacklers in the state. Reynolds has the speed to get into the passing lanes and defend the pass at his position. Andrews has an offer from Alabama State, Gardner Webb, and Faulkner.
The secondary has Jacobi Freeman, Camare Jackson, Corey Mcmeans, and Greg Tate. Tate is one of the best corners in Class 7A. He has offers from North Alabama, Jacksonville State, and UAB. Harry Welch will handle Carver's kicking duties.
This game is a great matchup to start the 2024 season. Both teams have questions and will see which ones will get answered on Friday night at the Cramton Bowl.
