By Erik Harris
CLAY — After a nice week off and a frame or two at the bowling alley, Clay-Chalkville now dives back into Class 6A, Region 6 play this Friday at Cougar Stadium.
A struggling Center Point team will be the challenge. The Eagles (1-4, 1-2) have been shut out twice this season and are averaging just 13.8 points per game.
[VIDEO: Pat Smith previews Friday’s matchup]
As long as the Cougars (5-0, 2-0) can stay focused on the task at hand, they should please the home crowd. But that’s easier said than done as No. 2 Clay-Chalkville has a meeting with third-ranked Shades Valley looming on Oct. 10.
Clay-Chalkville senior running back Terrelle West rushes the ball against Pinson Valley earlier this season.
file photo by Ron Burkett
“(Shades Valley coach Bill Smith) and them been beating everyone to death and he’s over there telling them that we’re good,” said Clay-Chalkville head coach Jerry Hood. “He’s telling the story: (Clay-Chalkville) is the greatest team ever, so I hope we can get by Center Point.”
Clay-Chalkville has a home record of 16-2 under Hood since 2012 and hopes to improve that mark to 17-2 Friday.
Center Point will have its hands full trying to contain a Clay-Chalkville offense operated by first-year starting quarterback Tyrell Pigrome, who has totaled 23 touchdowns this year. The junior has mimicked his predecessor Hayden Moore with only one interception through the first half of the season.
Pigrome’s biggest asset has been senior running back Terrelle West. The shifty West, committed to play for Middle Tennessee State, has 91 touches for 774 yards from scrimmage and nine scores.
If the Eagles want to pull the upset they’ll have to find a way to do what no other Clay-Chalkville opponent has managed in 2014, which is win at the line of scrimmage. This veteran Cougars’ front rarely gets the spotlight, but without its commitment to win at the point of attack, the offense doesn’t have 2,461 total yards for the year and Pigrome is most likely not undefeated as a starter.
If that big unit shows up ready to play Friday night, Clay-Chalkville will remain unbeaten. Center Point, however, might be a little tougher to strike out than those bowling pins.
