1 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Mountain Brook celebrates with fan after a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills. The Spartans won 14-7.
2 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
3 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Mountain Brook celebrates after a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills. The Spartans won 14-7.
4 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
AJ Powell (1) carries the ball as Ford Kelly (80) attempts a tackle during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
5 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Mountain Brook Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
6 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Pierce Hanna (48) carries the ball as Logan Brewer (4) makes a tackle during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
7 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
8 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Bennett Whisenhunt (87) makes a tackle on Paulson Wright (1) during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
9 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Jermaine Harris (32) celebrates a sack during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
10 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Logan Brewer (4) tosses the ball to Blake Pugh (2) during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
11 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
12 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
13 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Strother Gibbs (12) gets tackled by Caleb Harwell (21) during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
14 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Mountain Brook Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
15 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
16 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Pierce Hanna (48) carries the ball during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
17 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Mountain Brook Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
18 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Vestavia Hills High School students cheer during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
19 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Mountain Brook Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
20 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Mountain Brook Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
21 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Strother Gibbs (12) looks for an open teammate as Jake Levant (44) closes in for a tackle during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
22 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Sam Higgins (21) runs the ball during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
23 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
AJ Powell (1) gets pushed out of bounds by Logan Brewer (4) during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
24 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Mountain Brook celebrates after a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills. The Spartans won 14-7.
25 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Wilson Owen (12) chases down Jay Rucker (20) during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
26 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Mountain Brook celebrates after a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills. The Spartans won 14-7.
27 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Vestavia Hills High School students cheer during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
28 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Strother Gibbs (12) pushes past players for a first down during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
29 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Jackson Trotman (88) carries the ball during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
30 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
31 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Mountain Brook High School students cheer during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
32 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
33 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Jake Levant (44) tackles Strother Gibbs (12) for a loss during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
34 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Eli Sawyer (17) throws the ball during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
35 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
36 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Logan Brewer (4) and Blake Pugh (2) celebrate an interception during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
37 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Mountain Brook Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
38 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Sam Higgins (21) looks to avoid Jermaine Harris’ (32) tackle during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
39 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Strother Gibbs (12) is held back by Vestavia defenders during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
40 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
41 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Mountain Brook celebrates after a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills. The Spartans won 14-7.
42 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Strother Gibbs (12) avoids a tackle by Will Brooks (27) during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
43 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Strother Gibbs (12) dives for the endzone during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
44 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
45 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
AJ Powell (1) attempts to avoid Logan Brewer’s (4) tackle during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
46 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Caleb Harwell (21) reaches for a tackle on Sam Higgins (21) during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
47 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Blake Pugh (2) celebrates a tackle during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
48 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Mountain Brook Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
49 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Sam Higgins (21) looks to a referee after crossing into the endzone during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
50 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
Mountain Brook celebrates after a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills. The Spartans won 14-7.
51 of 52
52 of 52
Sarah Finnegan
VHHS vs MBHS Football 2019
The Vestavia Hills Rebel Marching Band performs during a game between Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Buddy Anderson Field at Thompson Reynolds Stadium in Vestavia Hills.
VESTAVIA HILLS — Chris Yeager has heard the criticism lobbed at his starting quarterback.
Detractors claim that junior Strother Gibbs isn't big enough, isn't fast enough and doesn't have the best arm.
"But dad-gummit he's a winner," Yeager said.
And on Friday night against his school's archrival, Gibbs won his team the game. He rushed 27 times for 78 yards, six of them on the go-ahead touchdown, in Mountain Brook High School's 14-7 win at Vestavia Hills.
"I feel great," Gibbs said afterward. "I'd do anything to win this game."
He did. Gibbs absorbed blow after blow on his physical runs, and Yeager said that he fought through full body cramps. Not once did he miss a snap.
"What he's got you can't measure in stats," Yeager said.
More than half of Gibbs' rushing total came on the opening drive of the second half, when he marched his team 66 yards down the field.
He took off for 26 yards on the first play of the third quarter, then 12 on the next. But his biggest run, apart from his bruising 6-yard score, came on fourth-and-1 inside the red zone.
He muscled ahead for four yards, slithering through an opening created by the offensive line.
"I just saw a hole and I just ran as hard as I could," said Gibbs, who also completed 6-of-8 passes for 74 yards. "I ran my feet, just got what I could get."
The touchdown provided one of the only offensive highlights of the second half. Mountain Brook (5-0, 3-0 in Class 7A, Region 3) punted on its next three drives.
"That is a very good football team," Yeager said of the Rebels.
Mountain Brook's coach has one too. Vestavia Hills' four second-half possessions culminated in three punts and an interception that Spartans defensive back Logan Brewer hauled in with under two minutes remaining in regulation.
It sealed the game.
"Our defense played extremely well," Brewer said, "but we've still got to get better going into next week."
Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills were tied 7-7 at halftime. The Rebels scored on their opening possession, which lasted 14 plays and chewed up more than seven minutes.
Quarterback Eli Sawyer, who completed 11-of-18 passes for 131 yards, capped his team's 69-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown toss to Wells Watts.
"We played well on the first drive," Vestavia Hills head coach Buddy Anderson said. "We shot ourselves in the foot after that."
Mountain Brook answered in the second quarter with a 9-yard touchdown run from Sam Higgins. He finished with 71 yards on 15 carries.
The Spartans defense, meanwhile, buckled down after surrendering the first points. Yeager credited his coaching staff, specifically defensive coordinator Robert Evans, for having the team ready to compete.
Vestavia Hills had been averaging more than 45 points per game.
"In my 20 years at Mountain Brook, our kids probably played as close to their maximum ability as any group I've ever seen tonight," Yeager said.
Mountain Brook will be off next week before hosting Oak Mountain on Oct. 4. Vestavia Hills (3-1, 2-1 in region) will host Shades Valley next Friday.
Click here to purchase photos from the game.
