SPORTS
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017
Sister Act Ragusa Girls Make John Carroll Volleyball a Family Affair PAGE 34
‘It’s Still a Big Rivalry’
A BIG STEP
No. 9 Spartans Knock Off Rebels, Look to Claim Postseason Spot
Passionate Hoover-Vestavia Hills Football Game Takes Center Stage Again
Harold Joiner scores on a 6-yard touchdown pass in overtime as Mountain Brook defeated rival Vestavia Hills 17-10 in a Class 7A, Region 3 contest Friday night at Spartan Stadium. Mountain Brook hosts Oak Mountain for Homecoming Friday. More photos at otmjsports.com
Mountain Brook’s Nick Belt Steps Into Leadership Role
By Blake Ells
Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.
Mountain Brook took a big step toward realizing a postseason when Harold Joiner grabbed a 6-yard touchdown catch in overtime to lead the Spartans to victory over Vestavia Hills on Oct. 13. Now, at 3-2 in 7A Region 3 play, they’ll
Nick Belt
In the book “Tales from Alabama Prep Football,” Buddy Anderson described his introduction to the Vestavia Hills-Berry football rivalry. “Vestavia opened in 1970 and most of the kids who came to Vestavia had been going to Berry,” Anderson recalled. “We opened the ’72 season against Berry and they had a good team. We had some players who had a choice that year to finish at Berry or Vestavia, and most of the good athletes stayed at Berry. “We had a pep rally in the school auditorium. I’d been to a lot of pep rallies, and they had always been about school spirit, but that day half of the students cheered for Vestavia and half cheered for Berry. I was blown away by that.” Anderson, who had grown up in Thomasville, was a young assistant coach at Vestavia Hills at the time. Berry won the inaugural encounter 45-0. “They beat us every way you can be beaten,” Anderson said. Anderson has been involved in every game the Rebels and Buccaneers have played, during 39 years as Vestavia Hill’s head coach, including the ones since Berry became Hoover in 1994. He will be on the sidelines Friday when the Rebels renew their rivalry against the Bucs at 7 See RIVALRY, page 35
Journal file photo file photo by Mark Almond
Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.
By Rubin E. Grant
focus on Oak Mountain. There’s never a day off. “Going up against Thompson, Hoover and Spain Park every week can be tough,” said senior linebacker Nick Belt. “But coming away with that win at the end of that stretch really gave us a lot of confidence as we move on in the season.” The Spartans defeated Spain Park 51-50 on Sept. 22 and followed it with a 31-7 win at See BELT, page 34
BIRMINGHAM THE SUMMIT | 209 SUMMIT BLVD. | BIRMINGHAM, AL | P: 205-970-9758
MONDAY–SATURDAY 10AM–8PM
SUNDAY 12–6PM