By Loyd McIntosh, Sports Editor
PELL CITY — After a slow start and a scoreless first quarter, the Pinson Valley offense exploded in the second quarter as the Indians rolled to a 45-21 win over Pell City Friday, October 21.
Senior wide receiver Amare Thomas lit up the Pell City defense for 187 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone, including an 80-yard strike from quarterback Dylan Reese, a freshman who got the start for the Indians.
“We wanted to get the butterflies out just in case he has to come in for any reason, down the road with a little bit more on the line. I’m glad we were able to do that and I think he did well,” said Guess. “I’m proud of him for stepping and making sure he’s ready to go if we need him.”
Pinson Valley came into the 6A Region 6 contest with a record of 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. In their final region game of the 2022 season, The Indians faced a winless Pell Panther Team playing for pride.
Pell City showed some different looks on offense to start the game, eating up yardage and time on the clock in the first quarter. Pinson Valley Head Coach Lee Guess said it took some time to adjust but managed to keep Pell City off the scoreboard in the first half.
“They came out and they gave us something that, you know, we didn’t really have a plan for and it took us a while to kind of figure it out and for our guys to settle in,” said Guess. “They did a good job of controlling the first part of the game.”
Pinson Valley got on the board shortly after a missed field goal by Pell City placekicker Jake Blackstone early in the second quarter. Starting the possession on their 20-yard line, normal starting quarterback Cameron Jennings who alternated with Reese, led the Indians on a four-play, 80-yard drive capped off with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Thomas to put the Indians on top, 7-0.
Pell City mounted a drive and looked to even the score. However, defensive back Jalen Patterson intercepted a pass from Pell City quarterback Caleb Groce in the end zone. Starting the next drive on their own 20-yard line, Pinson Valley needed only two plays to score as Reese hit Thomas for an 80-yard touchdown score. With 5:53 to play in the first half, Pinson Valley led 14-0.
The Panthers fumbled the ball over the Indians on the ensuing kickoff, giving Pinson Valley excellent field position on the Pell City 25-yard line. After the drive stalled, kicker Luis Sanchez added a field goal, pushing the lead to 17-0.
Following another turnover by Pell City, Pinson Valley took over inside their own 30-yard line. Reese led the Indians on another impressive drive connecting with Thomas again on another touchdown stroke with just under one minute to play in the half. The extra point attempt was wide to the right, giving Pinson Valley a 23-0 lead at halftime.
Pinson Valley recovered an onside kick attempt by Pell City to start the third quarter. Jennings started the second half at quarterback and led the Indians to an efficient four-play, 48-yard drive ending in a four-yard touchdown plunge by Jennings, pushing the score to 30-0.
Pinson Valley added two more rushing touchdowns in the second half while allowing Pell City to score 21 points in garbage time.
Pinson Valley committed only one turnover, coming on a bad punt snap ending recovered by Pell City for a touchdown late in the third quarter, a dramatic improvement over the four turnovers the Indians committed last week against Shades Valley. Guess said ball protection and cutting down on penalties is a major focus as they finish out the season and prepare for the playoffs.
“That’s what we wanted to emphasize. It doesn’t matter if we’re playing the Number 1 team in the state or the last team in our season, we have to be able to do what we do and that includes taking care of the ball,” said Guess. “It also includes how we respond, and how we act. We got to cut down some of the flags before we hit the playoffs when every play matters.”
Pinson Valley improves to 6-3 overall, 4-2 in region play. The Indians will play at Mountain Brook on November 4 in the first round of the playoffs.