Taaffe Powers Vestavia Hills Past Parker, 32-14
VESTAVIA HILLS — What started as a track meet turned into a convincing win for the Vestavia Hills Rebels.
Vestavia Hills and Parker traded early touchdowns Thursday night before the Rebels scored the final 17 points to pull away for a 32-14 season-opening victory at Thompson Reynolds Stadium.
The difference was quarterback Charlie Taaffe, who accounted for all four Vestavia Hills touchdowns and rushed for 178 yards on 18 carries.
Taaffe scored twice in the opening quarter as Vestavia Hills built a 15-7 advantage. Parker responded when Kameron Murphy scored on a 3-yard run, cutting the lead to 15-14.
That would be Parker's final score.
Taaffe answered with a 1-yard touchdown before halftime and broke loose for a 48-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give the Rebels a 29-14 advantage. Sloan Morgan added a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Taaffe also completed 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards, giving him 285 yards of total offense.
Vestavia Hills finished with 368 total yards, while Parker recorded 278. The Rebels converted 7-of-13 third downs, compared with Parker's 2-of-9.
Parker quarterback Rakaveon Goldsmith completed 13-of-19 passes for 126 yards. Jeremiah Jackson led Parker's ground attack with 73 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown run.
After surrendering 14 early points, the Vestavia Hills defense shut Parker out for the remainder of the game despite losing several key defensive players to injuries.
FINAL: VESTAVIA HILLS 32, PARKER 14
Vestavia Hills travels to Benjamin Russell next week, while Parker returns home to host James Clemens.
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High School Football Coverage | Est. 2016