By Loyd McIntosh, Sports Editor
PINSON — The road to another state championship for Pinson Valley will be bumpier in 2022 as the Indians face a tough and seasoned Mountain Brook Spartans squad Friday, October 29.
Pinson Valley wide Receiver Amare Thomas had 187 yards and three touchdowns in the first half against Pell City, on October 21, 2022. (Photo by Loyd McIntosh)
The Indians finished the regular season with a record of 6-3, 4-2 in 6A Region 5 play. With losses to region foes Clay-Chalkville and Center Point, Pinson Valley finds themselves in unfamiliar territory as the #3 seed and on the road for the first round of the playoffs.
Despite the winning record and a sackful of recent accomplishments, including three state titles since 2017, the 2022 campaign has felt a little up and down. The Indians opened the season with an impressive victory over 7A Florence but had to forfeit the win after discovering an ineligible player on the roster.
Pinson Valley rebounded with a win the next over McAdory, 21-13, before dropping a heartbreaker to Clay-Chalkville, 14-12. The Indians then reeled off three consecutive wins over Oxford, Homewood, and Huffman, but not without some cause for concern.
Oxford and Pinson Valley combined for 30 penalties in their week 4 matchup, and the offense struggled against Homewood. In the third quarter, Guess put replaced Keywone Posey with Cameron Jennings.
“The plan is always to play whoever is going to help us win. Cam’s been exactly what he’s needed to be for this entire season. He’s waited his time,” Guess said of the signal-caller switch at the time. “We have to give Keywone that understanding that he’s our quarterback, but we needed to be able to make plays and Cam did exactly what we needed him to.”
Jennings has been the regular starter for much of the remainder of the season, including a shocking loss to Center Point in early October, 29-22. The Indians bounced back the next week over Shades Valley but committed four turnovers in the 23-6.
Pinson Valley capped off the regular season with a 45-21 win over Pell City, a game in which freshman quarterback Dylan Reese got the start, the third quarterback to start for the Indians in 2022.
“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 after the Pell City game. “I’m proud of him for stepping and making sure he’s ready to go if we need him.”
Despite the offense’s ups and downs, one Pinson Valley player has been a constant headache for opposing defenses – wide receiver Amare Thomas. Listed at 5-10, 180 pounds, Thomas has been a consistent playmaker for the Indians all season.
“We’re definitely gonna miss having him after the season, but he’s definitely somebody that he’s earned his opportunity at the next level,” said Guess of Thomas who has committed to play college football for the University of Virginia. “I think everybody starting to see that he can definitely be a playmaker.”
Pinson Valley will need Thomas to perform at an optimum level, cut down on the penalties and turnovers, and get consistent quarterback play to beat a solid Mountain Brook squad. The Spartans are 8-2 overall, 5-1 in Region 5 play, and have played four 7A teams, beating three of them – Vestavia Hills, James Clemens, and Baker.
In other words, Pinson Valley will have to play an almost perfect game to advance in 2022.
Pinson Valley @ Mountain Brook, Friday, October 4. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
