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By CHRIS MEGGINSON | Special to the Reporter

VINCENT – When putting the 2024 schedule together, Vincent head coach Lucas Weatherford sought teams that would draw a big crowd for the regular season finale. It proved to be a good time to renew the 40-mile, cross-county rivalry with Montevallo, despite the Bulldogs’ rise to Class 5A.

On Nov. 1, Vincent wasted little time to jump on top. A pair of Jayden Roberts touchdowns gave the Yellow Jackets a 14-0 lead on their first two possessions, and Vincent went on to defeat Montevallo, 21-19 for its first win over a Class 5A team since 2001.

It also extended a four-game win streak against Montevallo that ran from 2011-2013, the last time Vincent played a team from within Shelby County.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect tonight, Montevallo has a good team and recently bumped up,” Weatherford said. “I knew it would be a challenge. I was tickled to death to get a win over 5A and a program like that.”

Roberts carried the ball eight times for 80 yards on the opening drive, including a 1-yard touchdown. He then scored on a 2-yard carry the next drive and went on to rush 30 times for 180 yards in the game.

“I was really pleased with the way he ran the ball. He was patient and we were able to ride him. Our offensive line blocked really well tonight,” Weatherford said.

Turnovers plagued Vincent the rest of the game though, keeping its offense from scoring again despite 322 total yards and 318 yards rushing. Aiden Gasaway joined Roberts with 88 yards on 17 carries.

Midway in the second quarter, Montevallo quarterback Jordan Ward found Dee Cutts on a 27-yard touchdown pass. The extra point failed, keeping the Yellow Jackets’ lead 14-6 at the half.

Vincent was driving toward the red zone in the third quarter when Montevallo’s Buck Ross returned an interception 74 yards for a pick-six. With a chance to tie the game, the Bulldogs went for two but came up short.

Vincent had a 28-yard field goal try bounce off the uprights in the fourth quarter. After holding Montevallo to a three-and-out, Phoenix Maxwell returned the ensuing punt 60 yards for a touchdown that ultimately secured the win. Daniel Campos made his third extra point of the night, which proved to be a major factor in the win.

“Phoenix Maxwell is the best pure athlete on our team. He steps up and makes big plays,” Weatherford said. “He has all the talent in the world and when he wants to make a play, he does.”

Ward completed a pair of 42-yard passes late in the fourth quarter to set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Razareo Conwell with 3:37 to play.

Montevallo finished with 258 total yards on offense. Ward finished 8-of-15 passing and 168 yards, and Cutts had 83 yards on three receptions. Derrick Richburg led the Bulldogs defense with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Bryce Smith also had an interception for Montevallo.

Vincent (8-2) will now prepare to host Sand Rock (5-5) in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8. It is the third-straight playoff appearance for Vincent and the fourth in Weatherford’s seven seasons as head coach.

“Being at home is huge for our community,” Weatherford said. “It’s a big deal to be able to host. Our team did a great job to finish top two in the region. We had the hardest 2A region in the state in 2A, and I can’t say enough about our kids this year. I’m proud of them.”

Montevallo concludes its season with a 1-9 record.