Sports

Trussville Living • April 5 2026

Rocky Top Dream

Nearly three years after the tragic accident that nearly took his life, Grayson Pope is still fighting. Now living in Knoxville, Tennessee, and attending the University of Tennessee, Pope’s tenacity, grit and laser focus are on display every day as he works out, attends physical therapy, goes to class and arrives early at the Volunteers’ baseball facility.

Over the Mountain Journal • March 5 2026

The David DiPiazza Era Begins For Vestavia Hills Soccer - Over the Mountain Journal

David DiPiazza wins. Google him. And now, Vestavia Hills has him.One of the most successful soccer coaches in Alabama history, DiPiazza was named head coach of the Vestavia Hills Rebels boys soccer team last summer. His arrival comes after spending six seasons at Oak Mountain High School, where he won a state title in 2024—his sixth overall—and led the Eagles to a No. 1 national ranking on MaxPreps.

Over the Mountain Journal • February 6 2026

Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame ceremony honors Senator Jabo Waggoner with stadium dedication - Over the Mountain Journal

The Third Annual Leadoff Dinner and Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame ceremony drew a star-studded crowd, including keynote speaker Paul Finebaum, to the Vestavia Hills Civic Center on January 15.

Over the Mountain Journal • January 22 2026

Mike Getman’s Elite ID Soccer Camp Has Been Shaping Soccer Stars For 25 Years - Over the Mountain Journal

The 25th annual Mike Getman Elite ID Soccer Camp was held on the first weekend in January at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex in Vestavia Hills. The camp offers talented soccer players the opportunity to showcase their skills, giving college coaches and scouts a centralized place to evaluate them.

Over the Mountain Journal • January 22 2026

Two Rings, Two Levels: Clark Griffin’s Unique Championship Path - Over the Mountain Journal

Clark Griffin has lived a charmed and unique football life. The Mountain Brook graduate has won two college national championships at two levels—NCAA Division I and Division II—and was within a whisker of winning a third in 2025.

Over the Mountain Journal • January 9 2026

Homewood, Vestavia Hills Welcome New Coaches Leading Girls Basketball Into a New Era - Over the Mountain Journal

The 2025-2026 girls basketball season is underway, and Homewood and Vestavia Hills have new coaches roaming the sidelines this year. Homewood’s Jason Harlow and Vestavia Hills’ Crosby Morrison bring with them a history of excellence and a vision to take their programs to new heights.

Chelsea Magazine • January 1 2026

Living The Football Life Upside Down

Xander Echols' football career is completely upside down. Literally and figuratively.
Speaking figuratively, the Chelsea native's football trajectory has been unconventional to say the least. After graduating from Chelsea High School in 2020, Echols played at UAB for three years under three different coaches - Bill Clark, interim coach Bryant Vincent, and a tumultuous season under Tent Dilfer.

St. Clair Times • December 5 2025

Moody shuts out Vigor 25-0 for first state title

Moody won the AHSAA Super Seven 5A State Championship on a cold and rainy Thursday night, shutting out Vigor, 25-0, at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham. The Blue Devils dominated from the opening whistle, earning their first state title in school history, and they did it with virtually no passing game.

Chelsea Magazine • November 24 2025

Brayden Butler's Improbable Rise To World Domination

Brayden Butler is a world champion - literally and figuratively. At just 19 years old, the Chelsea native recently returned from South Korea victorious, conquering one of the globe's most prestigious climbing events.

Over the Mountain Journal • November 8 2025

Homewood Survives First Round Scare, Defeats Pell City 28-14 - Over the Mountain Journal

Despite struggling to find its rhythm on offense and letting upset-minded Pell City hang around, Homewood pulled away, earning a first-round Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) playoff win, 28-14.

Over the Mountain Journal • October 31 2025

Boys Hoops Preview: Experience, Depth Highlight 2025–2026 Season - Over the Mountain Journal

By Loyd McIntosh   photos by Jordan Wald Basketball season begins soon, and all three of the Over the Mountain high school boys’ teams are looking to build on excellent campaigns from 2024–2025.

Over the Mountain Journal • October 25 2025

Vestavia Defeats Hoover in Key Region Matchup, 39-30 - Over the Mountain Journal

Vestavia Hills erased a 10-0 first-half deficit and dominated the second half in a gutsy 39-30 win over 7A Region 3 rival Hoover Friday at Thompson Reynolds Stadium. The word “gutsy” is the best term to describe the victory, as head coach Robert Evans threw out the coaches’ manual, throwing everything he could at the Buccaneers, keeping them off-kilter much of the night.

Over the Mountain Journal • October 18 2025

Homewood Holds On To Beat Parker, 35-28, To Capture Region Title - Over the Mountain Journal

After jumping out to a quick 21-point lead on the road, Homewood held on to defeat defending state champion Parker, 35-28, in a thrilling 6A Region 5 showdown Friday night. The win gives the Patriots their first region championship since 2022 and a head of steam with the 2025 playoffs on the horizon.=

Over the Mountain Journal • October 18 2025

Hofbauer’s Houdini Moment - Over the Mountain Journal

In the early 20th century, illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini made crowds fear the worst as he dangled upside down, locked in a water-filled glass tank with only minutes to survive. Just when it looked like the end was near, Houdini would burst free.

Over the Mountain Journal • October 18 2025

Vestavia Hills’ Julia Rose Building a Flag Football Legacy - Over the Mountain Journal

Julia Rose is a trailblazer among trailblazers. A senior at Vestavia Hills High School, Rose is the quarterback for the Rebels’ flag football team, one of the top squads in the state.

Over the Mountain Journal • October 10 2025

Late Heroics Lift Mountain Brook Past Pinson Valley, 39-35, Keeping Playoff Hopes Alive - Over the Mountain Journal

Mountain Brook kept their playoffs alive following another cardiac-special, come-from-behind win at Pinson Valley Thursday, 39-35. Once again, with their backs against the wall, the Spartans found a way to take control of the game in the fourth quarter, thanks in large part to the improvisational skills of Cayden Hofbauer.

Trussville Living Magazine • October 9 2025

Behind the Mic - Trussville Living Magazine

It’s been nearly 10 years since Chad Summers was named public address announcer for Hewitt-Trussville football.  However, even after a decade behind the microphone, Summers said he still gets anxious and can feel the buzz in the press box leading up to kickoff.

Over the Mountain Journal • October 4 2025

Carson Has Homewood’s Offense Rolling In 2025 - Over the Mountain Journal

Midway through the 2025 high school football season, Homewood is on a roll. At the time of this writing, the Patriots are 4-0, tied for first place with defending state champions Parker in 6A Region 5, and have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 179-22.

Over the Mountain Journal • October 4 2025

Long-Distance Runner Georgia Jayne Stuckey Leaving a Legacy of Excellence at Mountain Brook - Over the Mountain Journal

Georgia Jayne Stuckey is the heartbeat of the Mountain Brook cross country and track teams. Joining the programs as a freshman, Stuckey has been a key part of four state championships as a long-distance specialist. Now a senior, she serves in a leadership role, mentoring younger athletes and modeling the work ethic and competitive spirit the program is known for.

Over the Mountain Journal • September 27 2025

Hofbauer’s Hail Mary Mayhem Lifts Spartans Over Homewood In OT Thriller, 25-24 - Over the Mountain Journal

Call it the Mountain Brook Miracle. If you weren’t there to see it in person, chances are you wouldn’t believe it. Trailing by a touchdown to Homewood with a minute to play in the game, the stars aligned perfectly as the Spartans pulled off one of the most improbable and thrilling come-from-behind victories since Cal defeated Stanford and its band way back in 1982.

Over the Mountain Journal • September 22 2025

Carson Has Homewood's Offense Rolling In 2025 - Over the Mountain Journal

Midway through the 2025 high school football season, Homewood is on a roll. At the time of this writing, the Patriots are 5-0, tied for first place with defending state champions Parker in 6A Region 5, and have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 228-22. That is not a misprint: 228-22.

Over the Mountain Journal • September 18 2025

Homewood Launches Big-Time Sports Broadcast Experience - Over the Mountain Journal

The press box at Waldrop Stadium is the place to be, as Homewood High School’s new broadcast team hits the air in 2025. Featuring some of Birmingham’s most experienced voices, the Patriots are broadcasting all home varsity football games on various digital platforms throughout the season.

Over the Mountain Journal • September 15 2025

Spartans Fall On The Road To Pell City, 10-3 - Over the Mountain Journal

]Mountain Brook dropped a low-scoring nailbiter on the road to the much-improved Pell City Panthers, 10-3, Friday night.

Over the Mountain Journal • September 15 2025

Spartans Fall On The Road To Pell City, 10-3 - Over the Mountain Journal

Mountain Brook dropped a low-scoring nailbiter on the road to the much-improved Pell City Panthers, 10-3, Friday night. The contest marked only the seventh time these two teams have met, the second since the Spartans moved to Class 6A, Area 6 in 2024.