Celebrating our over the mountain communities.
OTMJ
INSIDE
| OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL • OTMJ.COM | Thursday, August 20, 2026
HOPE GALA ’26 PAGE 10
The Mountain Brook Spartans football team.
FALLING INTO FASHION PAGE 14
ALEC LEWIS WRITES PAGE 28
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
HIGH SCHOOL
2026PREVIEW PAGE 18 »
OPINION
2 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
IN THIS
ISSUE SOCIAL
4 | John Michael Pierce Foundation Vulcan Party
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose
A
6 | Greater Birmingham Auburn Club Send-Off Party 7 | Red Mountain Grace’s Pickleball Palooza 8 | Vestavia Hills High School Class of 1996 Reunion
10 | Children’s Harbor expands Fork & Cork into three-part dinner series.
COMMUNITY 12 | The 2026 Sporting Clays Classic celebrates 30 years of supporting local scouting programs. 12 | Isabella (BB) Painter selected for U.S. Naval Academy Summer STEM Program.
coach Eric Taylor on the Friday Night Lights television series—used the words above as his rallying/battle cry for his Texas high school football team. If you’ve ever had a kid or grandkid play high school football, you know the joy (and pain) that comes with Friday
game becomes about money, fame or launching a career. It’s about playing for your team, your teammates and the glory of your school. I look forward to this PHOTO BY BRIT HUCKABAY
10 | The 2026 Hope Gala again shines its bright light on the fight against cancer.
ctor Kyle Chandler—starring as the iconic high school football
nights in the fall. High school football is the purest form of the sport, before the
9 | Megan Montgomery Foundation Fourth Anniversary Party
GIVING TREE
issue every year where our sports editor Loyd McIntosh gives us a preview of what to expect from the Over the Mountain high school teams. From the sounds of it, there’s a lot to look forward to. Also, Mary Clare Ingram talks to Homewood High School coach and teacher Jake Collins about his own football career and what he loves about being on the sidelines these days (page 21). And of course, you have to make a style statement while sitting in those bleachers, so check out our fun Fall fashion finds on page 14. So, pack up your stadium seats, and prepare to cheer on your team under the Friday Night Lights this fall. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose! –BARRY WISE SMITH
12 | Mary Raines Alexander Receives Fulbright U.S. Student Award for 2026-2027.
STYLE 14 | Find stylish fall looks for the whole family.
| OVER THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS |
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 18 | 2026 OTMJ High School Football Preview 21 | Jake Collins makes his return to Homewood High School.
SPORTS 28 | Alec Lewis writes sports.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN
JOU RNAL Thursday, August 20, 2026
Publisher & Executive Editor: Lee Hurley Editor: Barry Wise Smith Editorial Assistants: Nausicaa Chu and Mary Clare Ingram Design Director: Claire Cormany Photographer: Jordan Wald Contributors: Nausicaa Chu, Cara D. Clark, Mary Clare Ingram, Loyd McIntosh Account Executives: Julie Trammell Edwards We would love to hear from you on any subject: lhurley@otmj.com
Vol. 35, No. 22
Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper celebrating the communities of Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at lhurley@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com. Copyright 2024 Over The Mountain Journal, Inc. All rights reserved.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Future sportswriter Alec Lewis (left) with brother Zachary at the ballfield.
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 3
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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SOCIAL
4 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
John Michael Pierce Foundation Vulcan Party
On August 1, the John Michael Pierce Foundation hosted an island-themed party at Vulcan Park to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer and the importance of early detection. This year’s epic, island-themed bash featured great music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and cool island vibes all around. Proceeds from the event were used to support the Foundation’s mission to raise awareness of esophageal cancer. The John Michael Pierce Foundation was created to honor the legacy of John Michael Pierce who received an esophageal cancer diagnosis at 24 years old. The Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness and promote early detection of the cancer in young adults.
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6 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
AUBURN SEND-OFF PARTY
On July 26, the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club welcomed another great group of Birmingham-area students and their families to the Auburn Family. Incoming freshmen heard from Auburn representatives, alumni, parents and current students; connected with future classmates and had the opportunity to ask questions about what to expect as they begin their Auburn experience. Congratulations to Amina Tall of Pelham, the winner of the $1,000 Freshman Send-Off Scholarship! Guests also heard from speakers—Rebecca Shurtz, Trent Ponder, Brooks Fuller, Harper Echeverry and John Lewis—who shared their own Auburn experiences. GBAC volunteers helped set up, decorated, prepared welcome bags, worked check-in and made the afternoon a huge success. Best of luck to the newest Auburn Tigers as they head to the Plains! The Greater Birmingham Auburn Club is the largest Alumni Club in the Auburn University system. Of the approximately 6,500 Freshmen that Auburn accepts each year, the Birmingham area represents 20 percent, or over 1,000 members of the Freshman class. To find out how to get involved, visit auburnbirmingham.org. OTMJ
Brian and Melissa Bozeman and Trent Ponder
Brooks Fuller and Madelyn McKinney
Harper Echeverry, Amina Tall and John Lewis
Karol Mata and Rebecca Shurtz
Mike Herron and Kali Tucker
Randal Roberts and Geoff Parsh
Tara Foster, Laurie Scogin, Leighann Mahaffey and Stephanie Rothoff
Ulises and Alicia Echeverry
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Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 7
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Red Mountain Grace’s Pickleball Palooza The Young Professionals Board at Red Mountain Grace (RMG) hosted its fourth annual Pickleball Palooza, held for the second time at The Picklr. Couples squared off against each other in a friendly environment and dinked their way to helping raise over $24,000. Red Mountain Grace provides clean, safe, and affordable housing to out-of-town patients and caregivers during their extended medical stays in Birmingham. Money raised will provide more than 1,200 nights of housing for families staying at RMG. The Phyllis Foundation, The Onin Group, Redeemer Community Church and Red Mountain Church have been critical supporters as well as new sponsor Interlude Residential. Board President Haley Nall said, “We are deeply grateful to every sponsor and participant who helped make this event such a success.” OTMJ
Amy and Lee Russell
Caitlin and CJ Hastings
Lila McCool and Heath Dunn
Jack Moss and Lizzy McCool
Rory Gilroy and Sydney Thomspon
AUGUST 21-SEPTEMBER 20 On September 11, 2001, thirty-eight planes were diverted to the airstrip in Gander, Newfoundland, bringing thousands of scared international travelers to the tiny town. This Tony Award-winning musical shines a light on the true stories of kindness in a time of global uncertainty.
Hurry! Tickets are going quickly at
redmountaintheatre.org
Jenna Way and Ryan Nance
Scott Wearren, Jason Carroll, Haley Nall and Kristen Johnson
8 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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VESTAVIA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1996 REUNION The Vestavia Hills High School class of 1996 held their 30th reunion on July 25 at The Club. Over 80 classmates attended, with some attending from as far away as Connecticut, Maryland and Nevada. The planning committee was Lauren Scivley McGiboney, Jaimie Newton Livingston, Rebecca Cybulsky Walden, Matt Driskill, Desmond Oden and Harmony Habshey. The decorating committee was Lauren Scivley McGiboney, Jaimie Newton Livingston, Heather Willis Ray, Rebecca Cybulsky Walden, Matt Driskill and Harmony Habshey. Tables were decorated with a mix of chinoiserie planters and arrangements featuring deep blue and chartreuse hydrangeas accented with white roses. Cherry red lamps topped the pub tables. A memorial table was set up to honor classmates who had passed away. Rebecca Cybulsky Walden and Matt Driskill kicked off the night with a welcome speech and toast. Light bites were served throughout the night including burger sliders, artisanal cheese and crackers, seasonal fruit and an assortment of sweets. Specialty cocktails—The Rebel Ranch Water, The Ninety Sixer and The State Champion—were served. Trucker hats adorned with Vestavia Hills Rebels nostalgia were passed out throughout the night and were a crowd favorite. OTMJ
Ashley Smith and Jeremy Hooie
Becky Wester and Lynn Renoll
Catherine Curtis Eickholt, Matt Driskill and Rachel Lowther
Desmond and Brigelle Oden
Hunter Ponder and Leigh Elliott Beck
Jaclyn Traffenstedt Hudson and Kalie and Neal Brock
Max and Kelly O’Donnell and Stacy and Eric Brewer
Owen Prescott and Stewart Moss
A concussion is nothing to play with. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be taken seriously. Although fewer than 10% of concussions involve a loss of consciousness, it is important to understand the dangers and not take them lightly. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from play and activity, evaluated by a doctor or healthcare professional, monitored and not left alone and not drive a motor vehicle.
To make an appointment, please call 205-638-6921.
ChildrensAL.org/Concussion
COA_Concussion_Football_Over_The_Mountain_Journal_5.1x12.68.indd 1
7/15/26 9:55 AM
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 9
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Megan Montgomery Foundation Fourth Anniversary Party On July 28 at Vulcan Park & Museum, the Megan Montgomery Foundation celebrated four years of making an impact on students’ lives across Alabama! By providing grants to high schools, colleges and nonprofits, the Megan Montgomery Foundation aims to provide education on healthy relationships, empower young adults to recognize unhealthy behaviors and stop relationship violence BEFORE it starts. Guests heard testimonials from the foundation’s school partners at Reid State Community College, Leeds City Schools and Fairfield High Preparatory School. Also at the event, the foundation announced a new partnership with the UAB Department of Theatre and Dr. Megan Lewis and presented them with a $40,000 grant for the Red Flag Social Justice production, which was created by Lise Kaye-Bell, of Leeds, U.K., and founder of Soundproofbox. Guests also enjoyed light bites at the celebratory event sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc. OTMJ
Alicia and John Roper
Bethany Dowling, Jermaine Wall and Rachel Harper
Dick and Tammy Steinberg, Beverly Seeley, Evie Cleckler and Miller Day
Haley Stotlz and Mica Harrell
OCTOBER 1– 4, 2026 Presenting Sponsors
1919 INVESTMENT COUNSEL AND FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES, LLC
Design Sponsor GRACIE
Chris and Allie Nanni
Colleen Shores and Fran Sims
Benefiting
FRIENDS OF BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
BBGARDENS.ORG/ANTIQUES @ANTIQUESGARDENSBHAM
Izzy Cleckler, Morgan Lynton and Gwyneth Cassarini
Kristen Greenwood, Lydia Bloodworth, Manisha Mishra and Katie Hannah
10 • Thursday, August 20, 2026 This year’s honorees reflect the many ways cancer reshapes lives. clockwise from top left: Jay Ezelle, Heidi Hallman, Patti Callahan Henry, Doug McCrary, Whitney Reidinger with her late husband Josh whose memory she is honoring.
GIVING TREE | SOCIAL |
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
CHILDREN’S HARBOR EXPANDS FORK & CORK INTO THREE-PART DINNER SERIES James Beard semifinalist Chef Rob McDaniel curates three unique evenings at award-winning Bayonet benefiting The Harbor Family Center. Children’s Harbor will host its annual Fork & Cork Chef’s Dinner Series, presented by Medical Properties Trust, featuring three exclusive themed dinners curated by James Beard semifinalist Chef Rob McDaniel at Bayonet in Birmingham. The series will take place on August 17, August 31 and September 14, with each evening including cocktails, a private multi-course dinner and unique entertainment and experiences, all benefiting services provided through The Harbor Family Center. Individual tickets are $500 per person, and sponsorship opportunities remain available. Now in its latest iteration and fourth year, Fork & Cork expands from a single evening into a three-part culinary experience, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy three distinctly themed dinners while supporting Children’s Harbor’s mission to serve families navigating serious childhood illnesses. Each dinner offers an exclusive experience curated by Chef McDaniel and his team at Bayonet: • August 17—Sports Dinner: Guests will enjoy an evening alongside special guest Pat Smith—co-host of 3 Man Front on JOX 94.5, co-creator of The Paul Finebaum Show, accomplished college football author and longtime Alabama sports broadcaster.
Hope, Support, and Connection The 2026 Hope Gala once again shines its bright light on the fight against cancer.
T
he 2026 Hope Gala will shine a spotlight on cancer survivorship, caregiving and remembrance when Birmingham’s sold-out signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society returns on August 22. Now in its 46th year, the Hope Gala supports the fight against cancer by raising funds for research, education, prevention and patient services, with funding directed to the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in Birmingham. The Hope Gala is a community expression of support for families facing cancer and a reminder that care extends far beyond the hospital. Hope Lodge communities as a “home away from home” for patients and caregivers who have to travel for treatment, offering free lodging, private guest suites and shared spaces where people can rest and find connection during an exhausting and stressful chapter of life. This year’s honorees reflect the many ways cancer reshapes lives. They are Jay Ezelle, Heidi Hallman, Patti Callahan Henry, Doug McCrary and the memory of Josh Reidinger. Each honoree is recognized through personal stories shared on hopegalabirmingham.org. Together, their words point to survival, resilience, love and the lasting impact cancer has not only on patients, but on everyone around them. Jay Ezelle captures the perspective of a survivor who
understands both the hardship of cancer and the perspective it can bring. “I don’t ever wish anyone has cancer, but I do wish people could experience what it’s like to survive cancer,” he says. Heidi Hallman emphasizes the power of outlook, saying, “Attitude matters 100 percent...I chose to continue to have joy in my life.” Patti Callahan Henry’s words speak to another dimension of the experience: grace in the face of illness. “Blame has no place to go in something like this,” she says. Doug McCrary’s reflection widens the lens beyond diagnosis alone: “Cancer doesn’t just live in the body....it lives in the people who are with you.” Whitney Reidinger’s heartfelt tribute to her late husband carries both determination and memory, recalling, “He wanted to defy the odds; we both said let’s get walking.” These unique individuals through telling their stories underscore the depth of community support behind the event. They draw attention to the cause at the center of the evening: helping people with cancer get the care, shelter and support they need while advancing the broader mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. In that way, the 2026 Hope Gala is not just a night on Birmingham’s calendar. It is a visible commitment to hope itself. OTMJ For more information, or to make a donation, visit on hopegalabirmingham.org.
• August 31—Arts Dinner, sponsored by Alabama Power: During cocktail hour and dinner, Children’s Harbor’s Junior Board Artists of the Year—Lila Graves, Dirk Walker and Porter Rivers— will paint live throughout the evening. Prints of their artwork will be available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Children’s Harbor. • September 14—Music Dinner, sponsored by Regions Bank: Guests will enjoy live music from Encore Strings Birmingham, whose trio of violins and cello will perform an eclectic repertoire ranging from contemporary favorites to classical selections. Each night kicks off with a cocktail hour reception, with dinners following either traditional style multicourse offerings or a tasting menu built from a whole tuna breakdown at Bayonet’s Raw Bar. The tuna experience courses feature a different cut of tuna, raw oyster palate cleansers and expertly paired beverages. All proceeds from the dinner series will directly support programs and services provided through The Harbor Family Center in Birmingham, including no-cost counseling for families, the Family Emergency Assistance Fund, the Give-and-Take Library and other resources that provide comfort and stability during a child’s medical journey. “Fork & Cork has become one of our most meaningful traditions because it brings our community together around incredible food, incredible generosity and a mission that truly changes lives,” says Cat Outzen, CEO of Children’s Harbor. OTMJ below: Bayonet is this year’s culinary host.
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 11
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
HOUSEHOLD DROP-OFF
2026 Events
September 12
9-11:30 AM
October 17
8-11:30 AM
Electronics/TVs /Paper Shredding Birmingham City Hall / Linn Park 710 20th St N, Birmingham, 35203
Household Hazardous Waste/ Electronics/TVs/Paper Shredding Site 1: Camp Bessemer 3295 King St, Bessemer, 35023
Site 2: Camp Ketona 121 County Shop Rd, Birmingham, 35217
For more information call 205-325-8741 or scan QR code Your digital data is secure and will be destroyed during recycling at no additional cost.
12 • Thursday, August 20, 2026 Young scouts learn marksmanship on the gun range. Safety is always first.
COMMUNITY
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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OLS STUDENT SELECTED FOR U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY SUMMER STEM PROGRAM
The 2026 Sporting Clays Classic celebrates 30 years of supporting local scouting programs
A
s the Greater Alabama Council prepares to celebrate a remarkable milestone, the 30th Anniversary Greater Alabama Sporting Clays Classic stands as a testament to the power of community support, youth development and firearms safety education. Established in 1996 by Don Williams, with founding support from Altec Industries and Alabama Power Company, the Sporting Clays Classic was created with a simple but important mission: to provide local youth with access to shooting sports programs and firearms safety education through Scouting. Over the past 30 years, that vision has generated over $3 million in support for local Scouting programs, providing equipment, facilities and expert instruction at camps including Camp Sequoyah and Camp Comer. Today, more than 2,000 Scouts participate annually in shooting sports and safety education programs throughout the Greater Alabama Council. Eagle Scout Isabelle reflects on the impact of those experiences, saying, “My favorite part of camp was the gun range. I got to handle and learn how to shoot a variety of different guns. I am not a hunter and never will be, but I think in today’s world being educated on proper gun safety and mechanisms is good.” While impossible to quantify, the knowledge and respect for firearms gained through these programs have undoubtedly helped prevent below: Camaraderie and friendly competition are the order of the day.
accidents and build responsible future leaders. The 2026 Sporting Clays Classic, chaired by Caldwell Marks, will once again bring together experienced and first-time shooters for two days of camaraderie and friendly competition. As a board member of the Greater Alabama Council, Marks is the VP of Development and has chaired the event for the last 10-plus years. “This is a great way for companies to have their people spend time with clients, co-workers and friends all while supporting the mission of Scouting,” he says. “Scouting is focused on the outdoors and community, and this event exemplifies that. It is remarkable that the GASCC is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, and we greatly appreciate all of our supporters over the years. Tommy Youngblood and Logan Black in the Scout office are instrumental in putting this event on, and we’re excited to continue the legacy started by Don Williams and others. We are looking forward to another great event!” Gold Teams will enjoy a warm-up round on the afternoon of Thursday, September 10, followed by the main event on Friday, September 11, featuring both morning and afternoon flights. The event remains focused on fun and participation for everyone. Individual scores are never posted, and each team’s lowest score is discarded, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages new shooters to join alongside seasoned participants. Attendees will enjoy catfish on Thursday prepared by the Kirkpatrick Concrete cook team, followed by Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ on Friday. A silent auction and door prize drawing, courtesy of Steyr Arms, add to the excitement! OTMJ Join GASCC as they celebrate 30 years of impact, tradition and support for local youth. For event information or to learn how you can support Scouting’s outdoor and shooting sports programs, contact Tommy Youngblood at tommy.youngblood@scouting.org or Logan Black at logan.black@scouting.org.
I
sabella (BB) Painter, an 8th-grade graduate from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, attended the prestigious United States Naval Academy Summer STEM Program in Annapolis, Maryland, this summer, earning a place in one of the nation’s most competitive academic enrichment camp programs for rising ninth-11th graders interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each year, the program receives approximately 5,000 applications from students across the country, with only about 800 students selected to participate; an acceptance rate of just 16 percent. Admission is based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, standardized test scores when applicable and a personal essay demonstrating a strong interest and potential in STEM-related fields. Painter’s acceptance into the program reflects both her outstanding academic performance and her passion for STEM. During the weeklong residential experience, she joined other high-achieving students from across the nation for an engaging introduction to life at the U.S. Naval Academy. “BB demonstrated the curiosity, determination and academic excellence that made her an outstanding candidate for this highly competitive program,” says OLS Principal Mary Jane Dorn. “We are incredibly proud of her accomplishment and know this experience will inspire her as she continues to pursue her dreams.” Motivated by her interest in serving in the military, Painter says she applied to the program because she wanted to experience life at her dream college while exploring the many STEM opportunities the Naval Academy offers. She will be a freshman at John Carroll Catholic High School this fall and hopes to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, become a Navy pilot and one day earn the opportunity to fly with the Blue Angels. OTMJ
MARY RAINES ALEXANDER RECEIVES FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT AWARD FOR 2026-2027 Mary Raines Alexander, a recent graduate of Northeastern University and a Mountain Brook High School alum, has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award to serve as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Taiwan for the 2026-2027 academic year. As a Fulbright ETA, Alexander will teach young Taiwanese students English in Taichung, Taiwan, for approximately 10 months. In-country, she will also conduct a community engagement project with hopes of volunteering with a local paper and conducting a journalism project. Having graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in International Affairs with minors in Mandarin Chinese and French, Alexander seeks to immerse herself in Taiwan’s invaluable position in East Asian politics, specifically the island nation’s critical role in the global energy paradigm. This cultural and language exchange will equip her with not only increased fluency in Mandarin Chinese, but also a more nuanced understanding of the local and national culture as well as America’s role in Taiwan. A foundation that is critical to Alexander’s plans of eventually obtaining her master’s degree in international affairs or international journalism. The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 as a bold investment in global peace and American prosperity through educational and cultural exchange. The Fulbright Program is marking its 80th anniversary in 2026, which coincides with America’s 250th anniversary celebration. This dual milestone provides an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the Fulbright Program’s role in America’s legacy of leadership, innovation, international collaboration and American excellence. The award competition for 2027-2028 Fulbright U.S. Student Awards opened on March 31, 2026. Learn more about Fulbright U.S. Student awards and eligibility. OTMJ
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 13
STYLE
14 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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FALL BACK INTO FASHION Find stylish fall looks for the whole family! PRODUCED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CLAIRE CORMANY AND BARRY WISE SMITH
LADIES’ NIGHT—HIT THE TOWN LOOKING LIKE A MILLION BUCKS WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE!
Caolina K embroidered Boho blouse, $49.95; Maeve faux leather midi-length pencil skirt, $39.95; Laggo green Hobo bag, $70.95; multicolor bauble necklace. Second Hand Rose 4200 Oakview Ln. // Vestavia Hills 205.970.7997 // secondhandroseal.com
SLAY THE RUNWAY—UM THE AISLE—IN THIS STUNNING COCKTAIL DRESS.
Leo Lin Rayna embroidered maxi dress with three-dimensional embroidered detail, $1,095; sling-back, kitten-heel shoes from Gus Mayer Shoes, $410 and Olga Berg clutch, $125. Gus Mayer 225 Summit Boulevard, Suite #700 // Birmingham 205.870.3300 // gusmayer.com
KICK CARPOOL UP A NOTCH— EFFORTLESSLY CHIC ITEMS FOR EVERYDAY LIVING.
Umgee floral print puff sleeve blouse, $49.99; Carole Christian colorful hem sweater, $56.99; Yellowbox Alina Mary Jane sneakers (available in tan or ivory), $85. Flip-Flops & What Nots 4137 White Oak Drive // Vestavia Hills 205.967.7429 // flipflopsandwhatnots.com
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
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Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 15
Shop. Rent. Repeat. soireebhm.com @soireebhm 2821 2nd Avenue South Pepper Place
Great selection for Fall!
TAKE THE TOWN
Pair the perfect dress with a beautiful bag for a special night out on the town. House of Harlowe Chartreuse Silk Gown: rent—$115; purchase—$278 Elliatt Floral Long Sleeve Midi Dress: rent—$100; purchase—$250 Chanel Vintage Python Hobo (available for resale only): $7,500 Prada Cream Crossbody: rent—$100; purchase—$799 top: Add drama to any outfit with this vintage Celine Gold Waistbelt (available for resale only): $595. Soirée Boutique Pepper Place // 2821 2nd Avenue South, Suite A Soireebhm.com // @soirebhm.com
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16 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
STRIKE A STYLISH SILHOUETTE AT ANY FALL FESTIVAL IN THESE CHIC SEPARATES.
L’Agence fitted paisley t-shirt, $128; Mother jeans, $288; JKT cropped leather jacket (with adjustable lapel), $425; pale blue Talia purse, $348 and chocolate brown booties from Gus Mayer Shoes, $170. Gus Mayer 225 Summit Boulevard, Suite #700 // Birmingham 205.870.3300 // gusmayer.com
| STYLE |
FALL FOOTBALL FASHION—BE THE BEST-DRESSED GUY AT THE TAILGATE!
TASC Cloud AirStripe Polo shirt in Marine Blue/Skylight, $88, Stratford ¼ zip, $128 and Balance Stretch Pants, $118. TASC 370 Rele Street // Mountain Brook 659.599.9240 // tascperformance.com
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SIBLING STYLE—THESE MATCHING OUTFITS MAKE AN ADORABLE STATEMENT AT ANY EVENT.
Funtasia, too sage green corduroy dress with matching gingham sash, $88; Wee Ones white satin bow, $12; Alla Pearl white ballet flat, $56; Funtasia, too boy’s green sage short set, $78; khaki and white saddle shoes, $68. The Lili Pad 3138 Heights Village // Vestavia Hills 205.298.1811 // lilipadbham.com
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 17
| STYLE |
One Stop Shop for Everything Fall!!!!
Babies to Tweens! Causal to Heirloom!
TINY DANCER—YOUR BABY BALLERINA WILL TAKE THE STAGE AND SHINE!
Capezio Enchanted tutu dress, $44 and Luna split-sole ballet shoes, $22. Applause Dancewear 1629 Oxmoor Rd. Homewood 205.871.7837 applausedancewear.net
3140 Heights Village, Vestavia Hills, 35243 205.593.4586
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3140 Heights GiGi's To:Village, GiGi's 3140 Heights Village, Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 ph., Vestavia Hills | 205.593.4586 Vestavia Hills | ph., 205.298.1811 From: Over The Mountain Journal, 205-823-9646 Vestavia Hills, 35243 Vestavia Hills, 35243
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This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the This is your AD PROOF from the OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL for the Nov. 3, 2022 issue. Nov. 3, 2022 issue. To: From:
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
GAME ON Football is just around the corner, and if you listen closely, you can hear the marching bands practicing “Seven Nation Army,” the cheerleaders yelling “Let’s Go” and the coaches blowing their game whistles. Soon enough the stadium dogs, and popcorn will be ready, and it’s GAME ON. Of course, the action on the field is what matters most, and there will be plenty of that this fall. In our 2026 OTMJ High School Football Preview, you’ll see some familiar faces, meet some newcomers, get reacquainted with some old rivalries and learn about significant changes that will have a major impact on our beloved game. Most of all, we hope you get pumped up for another great season of high school football.
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
| HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 19
FRUITBASKET TURNOVER: THE AHSAA RECLASSIFICATION EFFECTS ON OVER-THE-MOUNTAIN SCHOOLS BY LOYD MCINTOSH
H
igh school football in Alabama in 2026 will look remarkably different thanks to some major changes instituted by the Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA). Effective this fall, the AHSAA restructured its classification system for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, eliminating Class 7A and splitting public and private schools into separate championship tracks. When the 2026 season kicks off in late August, Alabama will have six classifications for public schools (1A-6A) and two for private schools (A and AA). The changes will have a significant impact on all four over-the-mountain schools. Mountain Brook and Homewood each drop from to 5A from 6A and, more importantly, are in the same region for the first time since 2021. Based on their 2025 records, they will be the top teams in 5A Region 4 and will face each other in the third game of the season, Friday, September 4, in a matchup for regional dominance. “I kind of wish that game was later, but you know, things will start getting figured out early,” says Homewood Head Coach Ben Berguson.
In recent seasons, Homewood was placed in a region with many Birmingham City and northern Jefferson County schools, such as Parker, Mortimer Jordan and Gardendale. During the same timeframe, Mountain Brook’s region foes included eastern Jefferson County schools like Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley, as well as schools along the I-20 corridor, Pell City and Oxford. The new region places the Patriots and Spartans with Shelby County Schools Calera, Chelsea, Helena and Pelham, along with Ramsey, a Birmingham City school, and one outlier, Chilton County High School located in Clanton. Berguson and Mountain Brook head coach Chris Yeager believe the new region is, for the most part, a more natural fit and are excited to face some new competition. “I love our new region,” Berguson says. “I always enjoyed the rivalries we had with the Shelby County schools. The inclusion of Ramsey is the one that makes me scratch my head a little bit.” Adds Yeager, “I like it for a lot of reasons. You get to see new teams. You can see by watching film and how they handle their teams. You get to
see different coaching philosophies and different schemes. We will be traveling to some places that we haven’t traveled to before. I don’t know that we’ve ever played Chilton County before.” For Vestavia Hills, not much changes with the move from 7A to 6A. The new region—6A Region 3—includes most of the same schools from 2026, with the addition of Spain Park replacing Hill Crest. The rest of the teams are familiar foes for the Rebels—Hewitt-Trussville, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Prattville, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County. However, the 6A playoffs will be different with the AHSAA expanding the field from 16 teams to 24 teams in 2026. Last season, Vestavia Hills lost to Auburn, the second-place team from the powerful Region 2, in the first round of the playoffs. Rebels’ head coach Robert Evans says the new playoff format should eliminate a scenario where some of the state’s top teams meet in the early rounds. “Last year’s playoff bracket led to this new format that will be implemented this year,” says Evans. “That doesn’t lessen the sting, because we had a very good team last year. But putting the two best regions against one another in the first round should never happen again.”
Lastly, the changes will greatly affect John Carroll, which has been placed in the AA classification for private schools with larger student bodies. The region—AA Region 2— includes John Carroll and Briarwood Christian from the Birmingham area; the remainder are spread throughout the state. John Carroll will travel to north Alabama quite a bit in 2026, including trips to face St. John Paul II Catholic High School and Randolph School in Huntsville and Madison Academy in Madison. While it may look like more time on the road, Head Coach Will Mara points out that the Cavaliers have often played teams requiring long bus trips, including a game against St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope last season. However, he says those excursions are excellent opportunities to bond and develop good team chemistry. “Everybody wants to talk about travel, travel, travel, but these bus rides are the best experiences for these kids,” says Mara. “We get about 30 extra minutes of that experience now, so I’m excited about that.” OTMJ
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20 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
| HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
PATRIOTS RETOOL AND RELOAD FOLLOWING HISTORIC 2025 SEASON BY LOYD MCINTOSH
H
omewood High School is coming off an exciting 2025 season that saw the Patriots notch 11 wins, capture their first area championship since 2022 and advance to the quarterfinals of the Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA) playoffs. Along the way, the high-flying Pats threw up some ridiculous numbers, scoring a total of 433 points while allowing only 139 all season. Even the team’s sole regular-season 25-24 loss to Mountain Brook, a nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat affair, ended in one of the most exciting and flukiest moments that you must see to believe. Led by a talented group of seniors, the 2025 campaign was one of the ages, says head coach Ben Berguson. “We had been waiting for that group to be seniors, and they were the most talented bunch that I’ve had since I’ve been here,” says Berguson, who is set to begin his 13th season as Homewood’s head coach. Despite graduating more than two dozen seniors, the Patriots will have several starters returning on both sides of the ball. However, the team will break in a bevy of talented newcomers, who Berguson expects will be key contributors in 2026, even though the pieces of the puzzle haven’t all come into place just yet.
2026 HOMEWOOD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
8/21 8/28 9/4 9/11 9/18 10/2 10/08 10/16 10/23 10/30
@ JOHN CARROLL @ BRIARWOOD VS MOUNTAIN BROOK @ PELHAM @ HELENA VS CALERA VS CHELSEA @ CHILTON COUNTY VS RAMSAY VS OAK MOUNTAIN
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
On offense, the O-line is solid with three starters returning: Gray Keown, Asher Ketcham and Edwin McBride. Senior Keown, playing the left tackle position, is “the leader of the bunch,” according to Berguson, and is a load to deal with at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds. Ketcham, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior, is the offensive line’s anchor at center, and senior McBride provides depth at right tackle. Also returning in 2026 is Walker Bostick, who gained significant experience by rotating into the line at right tackle last season. At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, the rising junior is the son of Shawn Bostick, formerly an assistant coach at Samford University, recently hired by Berguson as an assistant coach for the Patriots. At the time of this writing, the starting quarterback role is a toss-up between Jack Myers and Timothy Roshell. Myers, the younger brother of former Homewood quarterback Will Myers, is a 6-foot senior, pro-style quarterback who Berguson says is comfortable in the pocket with a laser-accurate arm. Roshell, a junior also standing at six feet, is more of a dual-threat quarterback with excellent running skills. Myers and Roshell will be throwing to a solid group of receivers, including junior Kam Foster, the last returning starter from 2025. As a sophomore, Foster had 25 receptions and two touchdowns as the second outside receiver alongside Tomon Felton. “He kind of played in Tomon’s shadow last year. He’s a really good route runner with good hands,” Berguson says. Other newcomers to the wide receiver group
are juniors Beckham Newell—the little brother of Kyle Newell, a former Patriot and current receiver at the University of West Alabama— and Preston Hill, and seniors Davis Litton and Cornell Warren. Among the team’s other skill positions, Berguson says, “I was really high on our tight ends last year, and I’m that way again this year,” with two names standing out: Marcus McGee and Bennett Smith. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds, McGee is a junior who took his freshman and sophomore years off to concentrate on basketball and will add size and athleticism at tight end and other key roles as well. At 6-foot-3 and weighing 190 pounds, Smith will be a great counterpart to McGee. Also expected to contribute at tight end is Landon Pettus, a 6-foot-2 senior who spent the spring and early summer recovering from a shoulder injury. Berguson says the running back room is deep and will be led by Jackson “Chappy” Chapleau, a senior who earned his stripes in a big way as a backup to Davis Griffin. In 2025, Chapleau had 39 carries for 287 yards and 10 touchdowns, and at 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds, will be the Patriots’ workhorse this season. Joining Chapleau are junior Tyler Betts, Cyn’Mauree DeBruce, a freshman Berguson is extremely excited about, and junior Reid Goldstein. An all-around gifted athlete, Goldstein is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, and clocked 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash in spring training. Berguson says Goldstein will see time at multiple positions in 2026. “We’re so deep at running back, we’re going to use him everywhere.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
On defense, the Patriots return three starters, headlined by senior Major Moorer at defensive end. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Moorer’s work ethic sets a positive tone in the locker room. “He’s the hardest worker in the weight room and on the field, and he has a relentless motor,” Berguson says. Anchoring the interior is 5-foot-7, 220-pound nose guard Dennis White, Jr., a senior Berguson describes as tough to move thanks to a low center of gravity. Rounding out the defensive line are sophomore Jakari Haynes, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound lineman who had significant snaps as a freshman, and juniors Colton Gibbs and Ian Anderson. The linebacker corps required a near-total rebuild after losing last year’s group to graduation. Senior Rod Lambert, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound athlete who posted a 4.5 40 and a 40-inch vertical this spring, moves from defensive end to outside linebacker. Senior Luke Serotsky mans the other outside spot, while juniors Cameron Clifton and Tyrek Mosley add depth. The secondary is the Patriots’ most experienced group on defense, with junior safety Tate Burdeshaw, an honorable mention All-State selection as a sophomore, anchoring the group at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds. Senior Ollie Whitten and junior Judah Pettus add depth at safety, while juniors Quincy McGhee and Michael Lukianow— younger brother of former Homewood linebacker Joey Lukianow—man the corners. Homewood kicks off the 2026 season on the road at John Carroll on Friday, August 21. OTMJ
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
| HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
HOMEWOOD ALUMNUS JAKE COLLINS RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS.
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 21
Friday night lights
BY MARY CLARE INGRAM
J
ake Collins is returning to his alma mater this fall to help coach the football team he once played for. The Homewood High School graduate will return to the school system after 11 years at Mountain Brook High School and will coach the cornerbacks and teach 10th-grade history. Collins plans to focus on building community among his players and inspiring students to take an interest in local history. Collins grew up in Homewood, attending high school football games with his father, whom he credits with instilling his love of the sport. He says the other kids would run around at the games, but that wasn’t him. “He would make me sit with him, and he would explain to me everything that was happening on the field,” Collins says. In sixth grade, Collins’ dad was offered a job in Georgia. He recalls hearing the news and thinking that he would never be able to play high school football at Homewood. They ended up staying in the city, and he was able to live out that dream. “It’s kind of full circle now to come back to Homewood,” he says. Coaches who made an impact on Collins are still at Homewood including Athletic Director Rick Baguley and longtime assistant coach
David Jones. “I did not want to leave Homewood because of Homewood football. So now all these years later, I get to come back and be a part of the program,” he says. Collins says he enjoyed teaching and coaching at Mountain Brook, but he was never fully immersed in the community since he and his family live in Homewood. Now, he says he can see some of his players’ houses from his front porch, and at his first practices back at Homewood in the spring, he knew many of their parents from his high school years. As a history teacher at Homewood, Collins hopes to connect students to the uniqueness of the community and get them interested in the history around them. In 2015, he co-published a book of old photos of Homewood, featuring what was here in the early days of the city. Now, he is hoping to publish his next book in October, featuring “then and now” spreads. Returning to Homewood for Collins means connection and community. By being involved in the community’s history, schools and the football team, he hopes to have a big impact on the lives of individual students and players, as well as the community. “It’s just really a special place,” he says. OTMJ
PLAYERS TO WATCH
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BACK, L TO R: Reid Goldstein, Coach Ben Berguson, Beckam Newell FRONT, L TO R: Rod Lambert, Major Moorer
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22 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
| HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: MOUNTAIN BROOK BREAKING IN NEW GROUP OF LEADERS IN 2026 BY LOYD MCINTOSH
T
he Mountain Brook High School Spartans will look to rebuild following the departure of a senior-heavy group of athletes that went through some peaks and valleys in 2025. Mountain Brook reeled off a five-game win streak, beat some very good teams and defeated Homewood in the most improbable way imaginable in overtime. Now, with many of last year’s major contributors moving on, the Spartans will be relying on a new crop of leaders in 2026. The challenge for Mountain Brook will be getting the new blood ready to compete in a tough new region. However, it’s a challenge Head Coach Chris Yeager relishes. “When you have a seasoned team, you go out and coach
2026 MOUNTAIN BROOK FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
8/21 8/28 9/4 9/10 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/22
@ HUEYTOWN @ UMS-WRIGHT @ HOMEWOOD VS. HELENA @ CHILTON COUNTY VS. OXFORD VS. RAMSAY @ CALERA VS. CHELSEA VS. PELHAM
them, and then, at the end of the day, you look over your shoulder and say, ‘Did we accomplish anything today?’” says Yeager. “ “With this young team, there’s not a day that’s gone by that I haven’t walked away thinking, ‘We got some things done today.” The Spartans lost 19 seniors to graduation, including at the high-profile positions like quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Additionally, Yeager and his staff are also breaking in newcomers at linebacker and the offensive and defensive lines. Yeager says all roles are equally important under the lights. “There is no most important position on the field.
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Offensive Coordinator Brand Easely is on the same page as Yeager when it comes to coaching up new players. While there are still questions to be answered and puzzle pieces to be put in place, Easley says the new faces are adapting quickly and are a joy to coach. “We’re very inexperienced right now, but with inexperience also comes some youthful willingness to learn,” says Easley. At the time of this writing, the quarterback
position is the largest question mark of the Spartan offense. Currently a battle between Pruitt James and Cade Bryant, Easley says he is happy with their development, but the starting position is still up in the air. “They’re both doing a phenomenal job,” Easley says, “and the guy that runs the offense the best and leads the team the best will be the guy that’s out there.” James and/or Bryant will have some veterans to throw to, as the offense’s most experienced players are the tight ends and wide receivers. At tight end, seniors Wallace Hunter and Bennett Jordan are back and will play a central role in the offense. Jordan saw action in five games last season, hauling in two catches and one touchdown. Hunter was a little more productive in seven games with seven catches, one touchdown, and averaged 17.4 per catch. The 6-4 senior was also the hero of the Spartans’ overtime win over Homewood, making an improbable catch from Cayden Hofbauer during a botched two-point conversion attempt. Wide receiver is where the Spartans are truly experienced with a pair of seniors who first made the starting lineup as sophomores:
John Colvin and Archie Andrews. Colvin was prolific in all 13 games last season with 35 receptions for 506 yards and seven touchdowns. Andrews, who has also been used as a running back and quarterback during his high school career, had 12 catches in 2025 and 19 in 2024 with four touchdowns. Colvin will split time at receiver and running back this fall. As the veterans in the wide receiver corps, Easley says Colvin and Andrews will be called upon to show the ropes to newcomers Brock Wilkerson and Robinson Peer. “Those guys, they’re kind of anomalies. They’re three-year starters at receiver, and that doesn’t really happen at Mountain Brook a whole lot,” says Easley. “ As for the running back position, it’s by committee at the moment. Along with Colvin, Easley expects Andrews and Peer to carry the load in the backfield. However, Easley has been impressed with the work ethic and enthusiasm of sophomore Beau Payne. “Beau is doing an absolute phenomenal job right now, and it’s not necessarily his skill set; it’s how much effort he is giving on every single play,” says Easley. Easley says the offensive line, made up
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
GOOD LUCK FROM THE RAY & POYNOR FAMILY!
Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 23
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of a mix of veterans and newcomers, has developed great chemistry. The O-line is a senior-heavy group featuring John Bradford, Henry Slaughter, Brad Bales, Patrick Crye and Robert Moore, with juniors D.Y. Menendez and Bain Thorsdad, and sophomore Mac Russell expected to contribute as well.
DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Defensive coordinator Shane Stearns repeats the theme, stating the Spartans have a “lot of fresh faces,” but with a few veterans anchoring the defense. Defensive tackle Will Ellis played in every game as a junior, while senior Mason Baynes saw action in eight games last season. Together, Ellis and Baynes will add experience and depth on the defensive line, a point of emphasis for Stearns. “A couple of years ago we had zero depth at D-line, and it really showed. Late in games, we were giving up points because guys were just dragging,” says Stearns. “We’ve really tried to make it a point of emphasis to build more depth on the D-line—whether it’s by moving linebackers down or just bringing young kids along.” Case in point, Stearns says senior Payne Pennebaker moved from linebacker to
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OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
PLAYERS TO WATCH
defensive end and has added more “spark” to the line. Rounding out the D-line is senior Henry Walton, a player Stearns says adds steady leadership to the core group. Additionally, Stearns says the secondary is looking strong with linebackers Skip Stuermann and returning after solid contributions as backups last season. Stearns also highlighted cornerbacks Luke Carroll, a junior who saw action in six games last year, and sophomore Sam Young, whom Stearns describes as a “phenomenal” athlete.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams are a major point of emphasis for the Spartans with a group of veterans handling key positions. In addition to his duties on the offensive line, Crye will mark his third season at the snapper position. Senior William Russ, a linebacker and safety on defense, will handle kickoffs and punting along with junior Yates Yarborough. Additionally, special teams coordinator Gabe Rodriguez is enthusiastic about sophomore punter and placekicker Davis Hunt, who, he says, has an “extremely powerful leg.” Mountain Brook kicks off the 2026 season at Hueytown on Friday, August 21. OTMJ
PHOTO BY JORDAN WALD
24 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
BACK, L TO R: Brody Speer, Coach Chris Yeager, Bo Finch FRONT, L TO R: Spencer Weathers, Bradley Bales
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Thursday, August 20, 2026 • 25
BUILDING ON MOMENTUM: VESTAVIA HILLS SETS SIGHTS ON 2026 BY LOYD MCINTOSH
V
estavia Hills High School looks to continue the momentum after a successful, if at times turbulent, 2025 season. Last year, the Rebels finished with an impressive 8-3 overall record, 5-2 in 7A Region 3 action, and advanced to the AHSAA playoffs for the fourth consecutive season under head coach Robert Evans. Vestavia Hills finished the season winning six of their eight games, including a convincing 42-21 victory over Mary G. Montgomery in the first round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) playoffs. Additionally, the Rebels rebounded following a couple of early-season losses, reeling off a five-game win streak to end the regular season, including a thrilling come-from-behind victory over arch-rival Hoover in late October.
2026 VESTAVIA HILLS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE
OPPONENT
8/20 8/28 9/4 9/11 9/18 10/2
VS PARKER @ BEN RUSSELL @ THOMPSON VS OAK MOUNTAIN VS SPAIN PARK @ TUSCALOOSA COUNTY VS HOOVER VS HEWITT @ PRATTVILLE
10/08 10/16 10/23
Despite the season ending sooner than anyone could have foreseen with a first-round 51-42 loss to Auburn—a team the Rebels dismantled 42-14 in the second week of the season—Evans says there was a plethora of highlights in 2025 and, with loads of experienced players returning, plenty of reasons to be optimistic about 2026. “I was very proud of our team last year, we finished the regular season ranked second in 7A. For the first time in school history, we cracked the top 100 in the country,” Evans says. “It didn’t end the way everyone wanted, but that’s the story for 31 of the 32 teams in 7A every year.” Evans continues, “The high point was probably finishing the region schedule the way we did against Hoover, and we had notable wins against Auburn, Hillcrest, Prattville and Hoover.” While Vestavia will have tons of experience returning, Evans says the Rebels do face challenges... “Our offseason is unique because almost half of our team is on the freshman campus, and a sizable portion of our team is playing baseball. It’s certainly a challenge, and not the way you would prefer, but this is the most optimized
format to accommodate the multisport player and put the best product on the field.”
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
The good news is Vestavia is returning eight starters from an offensive unit that put up impressive numbers last year. With so many offensive players returning, including quarterback Charlie Taaffe, the Rebels are poised to have another explosive year on offense. Taaffe had an outstanding 2025 campaign, throwing for 1,313 yards and 10 touchdowns, and completing 62.1 percent of his passing attempts. He was also prolific on the ground, with 120 rushes for 663 yards and 13 touchdowns. At running back, senior Noah Boylan returns following a solid 2025 campaign. A key contributor since his freshman year, Boylan averaged 6.5 yards per carry and had three touchdowns last season. Joining Boylan in the backfield are Crawford Mann and Carter Stagner. “We are always by committee at that position, so Crawford and Carter will get carries and need to have big years for us,” says Evans. Primarily lining up in a 12 personnel formation—an offensive scheme utilizing
one running back, two tight ends and two receivers—the tight end and receiver corps are vital components of the Rebels’ offense. Grayson Harper and Braxton Hunt will start at tight end and “provide a physical presence for us,” Evans says. Harper, a senior listed at 5-11 and 190 pounds, had a productive season with 15 receptions and three touchdowns in 2025. Hunt enters his junior year with limited varsity experience but, at 6-3, 210 pounds, will be a handful for opposing defenses. Luke Stubbs, a multi-faceted athlete who was a major contributor as a wide receiver and kick returner in 2025, returns for his senior year. Joining him are Davis Kopwe, Powell Curry and Rob Friloux, who Evans expects will provide depth at wide receiver. Evans says the offensive line will be a considerable strength this season, a lineup he believes “has a chance to be the best group we have had in our five years.” Copeland Styles, Jackson Deal and William Gwathney return from last season. They will be joined by William Hurt, likely starting at one of the tackle positions, and Cord Pigg, a Troy University commitment and a transfer from Mars Hill Bible School in Florence.
26 • Thursday, August 20, 2026
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
| HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW | Lastly, Evans says senior Luke Larrisey, “can play any of the positions up front and has had a nice offseason.”
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DEFENSIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Defensively, the Rebels will be led by four players each with three years of varsity experience. Defensive end Paxton Ussery, a Jacksonville State commitment, is expected to have a breakout season. Evans also highlighted defensive tackle Haines Bridges, who “has been a productive front player for us and returns as an inside presence.” Additionally, Evans says Morgan Butler, Jaden Kopwe, Preston Deal and Lawson Manown will be defensive line starters in 2026. At linebacker, senior Nick Williams, a three-year starter, is back and is the anchor of the Rebels’ defense. “He makes all of our
calls and checks,” says Evans. “He is a very smart football player who understands our system and has significant experience.” Daniel Richardson, Vestavia Hills’ team leader in tackles in 2025, is back in the spur position—a hybrid defensive position that is essentially a combination of linebacker and safety. A senior, Richardson had 28 total tackles last season (10 solo, 18 assisted) and is a force in the defensive secondary. “He is highly competitive and great in space,” says Evans.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Handling placekicking duties is junior Sloane Morgan, who had an outstanding sophomore season. Morgan will share punting responsibilities with senior Gray Prier. Vestavia Hills hosts Parker on Thursday, August 20, to open the 2026 season at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. OTMJ
PLAYERS TO WATCH
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BACK, L TO R: Luke Stubbs, Coach Robert Evans, Paxton Ussery FRONT, L TO R: Daniel Richardson and Charlie Taaffe
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SPORTS | OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL • OTMJ.COM | Thursday, August 20, 2026
ALEC LEWIS WRITES SPORTS BY LEE HURLEY
“Writing is easy. Just sit in front of a typewriter, open up a vein and bleed it out drop by drop.” –red smith
left: Lewis interviewing Vikings safety Harrison Smith. above: Royals Manager Ned Yost with Lewis. Yost made fun of Lewis for not ironing his pants.
A
n Army Colonel once said to me, “Son, there are two kinds of people in this world. Those who know what they want and those who don’t.” I was scared he might ask me which one I was, so I nodded quickly, but it reminded me of the joke, “I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.” Indecisive does not apply to Alec Lewis. The Mountain Brook native knew what he wanted by high school, and as a result, today at 29, he is the New York Times beat writer for the Minnesota Vikings. If one were to rank his literary sports significance like Forbes ranks its richest people, Lewis is a multi-billionaire falling somewhere between Peter Thiel and Jerry Jones. Anyway, I interviewed the writer back in May, and good thing because now, with preseason looming, Lewis is busier than a one-armed paper hanger. In addition to his articles, the wordsmith hosts a podcast called The Alec Lewis Show. It’s casual and entertaining and shows how comfortable Lewis is in his own skin. OTMJ: Bama or Auburn? lewis: My dad’s a big Bama fan, so I grew up an Alabama fan...I remember the Kenneth Darby running back times, the Glen Coffee days, the Mike Shula experience. And I remember when we went to an Alabama-Duke game—it must have been 2005 or 2006. My dad’s car got towed, so I remember that—I don’t remember the game, but I remember the towing. How did you become a sportswriter so early?
That’s not your typical Mountain Brook pursuit. I was in ninth grade at junior high, and I remember going to this meeting with a counselor to set my schedule for high school, and I needed an elective. At the top of the page it said, “What do you want to do?” I wrote, “I want to work in sports.” The counselor said, “Why don’t you write for the school newspaper?” My immediate reaction was, “No way, I don’t like writing...and like, that’s not my crowd.” And she said, “I’m going to sign you up anyway. I get to high school, and a lot of my friends are on the basketball team, so I would write down a list of questions then walk over to Coach McMillan’s office, and he would answer them. He and Coach Yeager just let me hang around and ask questions. I started posting below, from left: Alec Lewis, his brother Zachary and his dad Jon in New Orleans at the SEC basketball tournament in 2012. Vanderbilt won it all.
updates of the games on social media, and that led to meeting Jeff Sentell with the Birmingham News who said, “Why don’t you write for us?” I’d take my car and go to towns like Center Point or Pinson Valley on a Friday night to cover games. I’d write the story in the car, scoot my seat back, type it up on my laptop and send it in. They paid me $50 a story, which for an 11th grader was incredible. That was the link, I’d say, to realizing, okay, this is something maybe I could do. Then Missouri for college. Why? I got coffee at Starbucks in Cahaba Heights with Lars Anderson, who’s written multiple books for Sports Illustrated and taught at Alabama. He said, “If you want to do this, going to the University of Missouri is a no-brainer—not just because of what they teach, but the number of alumni in journalism gives you connections and relationships and people who can vouch for you.” Once I got to Missouri, it evolved a little bit from just loving the game and loving getting to meet people to loving the craft of writing. The writing, which I initially rejected as an idea, grew into this puzzle that I love to try and solve. How did you get from Mizzou to the New York Times? After my junior year, I got a call from an editor at The Athletic (owned by the New York Times)— they wanted someone covering Missouri football on a temporary basis, paid per story. This was an opportunity to get in the door, but Missouri was terrible that fall—my stories didn’t perform well at all. I thought I’d set myself up for failure, but in March of my senior year, I got a call from an Athletic editor asking what I thought about Major League Baseball. Anybody who knew me at the time knew I wasn’t a big fan of baseball— I thought it was boring. But when you get a call from The Athletic, you roll with it. I flew to
spring training in Arizona and missed a week of school. I grew to love baseball and the availability within it to tell cool stories. I covered the Royals from 2019 to 2022. One day I reached out to an editor about NFL openings, and he said they had one in Minnesota. Moving north was never in my plan, but the Vikings had just hired a new GM and head coach, so I could come in without prior relationships and develop my own. That was the fall of 2022—my dad flew up to Missouri, we got a U-Haul and moved to Minnesota without knowing anybody. So, Minneapolis is now home. Are you ever cold? The winters are not overhyped. From October to April, you’re not going to be outside a lot, and you’re going to need many layers, and you’ll be driving in it regardless. I tell people I live in the North Pole—my friends are tired of me sending pictures of snow. But the summers are phenomenal—75 degrees every day in May and June, feels like LA. It’s worth it, and then winter comes back, and it’s not worth it again. And this is probably a nod to my mother, who’s written cookbooks, but I’ve always loved food. I did not expect Minneapolis and St. Paul to have such a good food scene, but it really does. It’s been a nice component of living here. Is this your future? My personal life here is in a good spot—I’m dating a girl, and I have friends, so it’s good. My mind is focused on the day-to-day, wanting to do this at the highest level possible. I have a book idea I’ve been pursuing, and there’s more within the multimedia space I have my eye on, but I try not to force that stuff. When it comes, it will come, and all I can do is work my ass off to put myself in the best position. Is Thomas Wolfe right that you can’t go home again? Mountain Brook shaped me to be the person I am, from the city itself to the teachers, the parents, the friends. My journey has given me perspective on where I come from and why I’m grateful to be from where I am. I’ve seen a lot of different iterations of how the world has evolved, what people want, how people feel. I’m willing to listen and learn as much as I possibly can, knowing I come from a very fortunate place. OTMJ