By Erik Harris
PINSON — After taking last Friday off, Pinson Valley will be back under the lights this Friday night and a spot in the Class 6A playoffs will be on the line.
Center Point (1-6, 1-4 Class 6A, Region 6) is all that stands in the way of the Indians and their fifth straight postseason. With a win, Pinson Valley would secure Class 6A, Region 6’s fourth seed.
“If we win (this) week, we make the playoffs,” said Pinson Valley head coach Matt Glover. “So that’s what we want is to make the playoffs.”
Pinson Valley running back Torrey Hendrix rushes the ball against Clay-Chalkville.
file photo by Ron Burkett
The Indians (3-4, 2-2) will need their defense to continue to improve if they want to punch their ticket Friday night at Willie Adams Stadium.
Pinson Valley has seen its highs and lows on the defensive side, but it might be taking form after holding a potent Huffman offense to a single score on Oct. 3.
“Our defense has been playing really, really well this year and I told them this week we’ve got to lean on them this week to get us through,” Glover said after the Huffman game.
As the season continues, the Indians’ defense might have to lead the charge with all the uncertainty surrounding the offense. Freshman Jackie Matthews replaced junior Errius Collins at quarterback three weeks ago and has remained the starter since. Collins did not dress for the Huffman game and may or may not still be a member of the team.
Pinson Valley was averaging 33.4 points per game under Collins and has found 13 points since Matthews took over.
Any offense would be limited with a freshman under center, even with senior running back Nick Gibson, the reigning Class 5A Back of the Year, there to take the handoff.
Can the defense hold up? Will Collins return to lead a postseason charge? Can a freshman man a playoff offense?
We’ll see Friday night.
