MOUNTAIN BROOK, Alabama - The Mountain Brook Spartans received a big defensive effort and went on to defeat #4 Vestavia Hills 10-7 at Spartan Stadium tonight. The Spartans limited the Rebels run game to 95 yards and kept running back Jordan Johnson in check all night. Spartans kicker Fletcher Smith hit on a 41-yard field goal that was the difference in the game.

The Spartans have now won six games in a row after losing their first three games of the season. "There were a lot of people that just wrote us off after losing our first three games," said Spartans Head coach Chris Yeager. "Our kids just didn't quit after we lost those three games. Those three games that we lost, our kids played to the end. We were stratching and clawing during those games and we told people not to give up on us. We saw them how they were practicing during that month with no wins. There is something special about this bunch. There is something a little different about them. I'm very proud of them."

Vestavia Hills (8-1, 6-1) found the end zone first in the game when quarterback Landon Crowder scored on a one-yard run. Wesley Hatcher kicked the extra point and the Rebels led 7-0 with 7:29 in the first quarter. A 36-yard and a 15-yard pass plays from Crowder to Patrick Haywood setup the only score for the Rebels.

Mountain Brook (6-3, 5-2) tied the game with :07 before halftime when quarterback Jacob Carroll found Hunter Branch 28-yards in the end zone. Smith hit the extra point to tie the game at 7-7. The Spartans had a good drive starting with only 2:16 left in the half when Drew Odum had a 16-yard punt return to the Rebels 47 yard line. A couple of passes from Carroll to Odum setup the key touchdown to end the first half. "We started the game hitting them on a few short routes," said Spartans QB Carroll. "Finally we hit one over the top with Hunter. It was a great catch on his part. This really gives us a lot of momentum going into the playoffs down the road. This is a great win for our school, student body and our team."

Late in the third quarter, after a fourth down stop by Mountain Brook at the Spartans 31 yard line, the Spartans drove to the Rebels 24 yard line with 2:33 left in the third quarter when Smith hit the winning field goal. Carroll had a big 23-yard run and two passes to Odum setup the field goal. "We have been looking forward to this game and it is a great win for the program," said Spartans WR Odum. "We played our hearts off tonight. After starting 0-3 and so proud of our football team with this win."

Vestavia Hills was driving late in the game but a Andrew Autrey interception at the Spartans 27 yard line closed the deal for the Spartans win. "Our defense played with all 11 guys making a committment to one another to play from sideline to sideline from snap to whisle till the end of the game," added Yeager. "Everytime we play these guys it is this type of game. Vestavia Hills has a great team. Our defensive backs covered well and we put good pressure on the quarterback. We have learned some good lessons this season."

The Spartans defense held Vestavia Hills to only 208 yards on the night. "They played better than us and wanted it more than we did," said Rebels Head coach Buddy Anderson. "Our defense played well tonight, but as a team they just whipped us."

For Vestavia Hills, Crowder completed 11-of-20 passing for 113 yards on the night. The Spartans did a great job of limiting the Rebels on the big play as they only gave up six plays over 10 yards. For Mountain Brook, Carroll completed 14-of-24 passing for 143 yards. Odum had 10 catches for 82 yards for the Spartans.

Up next, Vestavia Hills host Florence while Mountain Brook plays 5A Parker before both teams go into the 6A playoffs.