Homewood Snaps Six-Game Skid, Tops Mountain Brook 33-13 in 5A Region 8 Opener
HOMEWOOD, AL – Homewood finally got the best of their Over the Mountain rival. Behind a three-touchdown night from Reid Goldstein, the Patriots beat Mountain Brook 33-13 at Waldrop Stadium, ending a six-game losing streak against the Spartans and grabbing an early edge in the Class 5A, Region 8 race.
The win pushed Homewood to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the region. Mountain Brook slipped to 1-2 and 0-1, extending a rough stretch that has followed a lopsided season-opening victory.
First Half: Patriots Set the Tone
Homewood struck first with an 80-yard opening drive, methodical and patient. Quarterback Jack Myers capped it with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kamryn Foster, giving the Patriots an early 7-0 lead.
Mountain Brook answered to knot the game at 7-all, and for a stretch it looked like another tight rivalry battle. That changed midway through the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-2 near midfield, Goldstein appeared stuffed at the line before bouncing outside, cutting left and sprinting 46 yards for a touchdown. The momentum swung, and Homewood never gave it back.
Timothy Roshell then delivered the game’s signature strike, connecting with Beckham Newell on a 69-yard scoring pass. Newell hauled it in around the Mountain Brook 26, shook a defender and raced to the end zone, stretching the lead to 21-7.
Second Half: Goldstein Takes Over
The Patriots leaned on their ground game after the break, and Goldstein kept churning. He added a short 3-yard touchdown run, then punctuated the night with a 42-yard scoring burst behind a strong push from his offensive line.
Mountain Brook found the end zone twice, with Butler Teague scoring on a 12-yard run and Pruet James adding a 9-yard touchdown run, but the Spartans could not string enough together to threaten. The final settled at 33-13.
Standout Performances
Goldstein’s season debut set the tone. He finished with 166 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries, averaging nearly 14 yards a pop and providing the explosive plays Homewood had been missing.
The Patriots’ two-quarterback approach also paid off. Myers went 10-of-14 for 92 yards and a touchdown, steady and efficient. Roshell hit just 2 of 4 passes but made them count for 77 yards, including the 69-yard bomb to Newell.
For Mountain Brook, James paced the offense with 130 passing yards and a rushing score, while Teague chipped in his own touchdown. The Spartans showed flashes but struggled to sustain drives against a disciplined Homewood front.
Patriot Defense Seals It
Homewood’s defense controlled the night. Sophomore Caaleb Thomas picked off two passes, disrupting Mountain Brook’s rhythm and repeatedly ending Spartan possessions. The unit held Mountain Brook to just 184 total yards and forced the offense into long-down situations for much of the game.
By the Numbers
- Homewood: 215 rushing yards on 35 carries, zero turnovers
- Goldstein: 12 carries, 166 yards, 3 TDs
- Myers: 10-of-14, 92 yards, 1 TD
- Roshell: 2-of-4, 77 yards, 1 TD
- Thomas: 2 interceptions
- Mountain Brook: 184 total yards
- James: 130 passing yards, 1 rushing TD
The ground production and clean ball security told the story. Homewood dominated time-consuming drives while the defense stacked stops.
Looking Ahead
Homewood carries its momentum on the road, traveling to Pelham as it looks to build on a 1-0 region start. The Patriots’ balance and defensive playmaking make them a team to watch in Region 8.
Mountain Brook returns home Sept. 10 to host Helena on Senior Night, hoping to steady its season and pick up a first region win. Coach Chris Yeager’s group has the talent to bounce back, and a home crowd could be just the reset the Spartans need after a difficult two-game stretch.
