From The Tribune staff reports
OXFORD — Pinson Valley and Oxford combined for 30 penalties in a marathon three-hour, 30-minute game that saw the Indians pull away in the second half and win 44-20.
The Indians are now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in 6A Region 6. Pinson Valley had to forfeit its first win of the season, a 27-17 victory over Florence, for use of an ineligible player.
But that’s in the past for Pinson Valley now, and the Indians can still make some noise in a stacked Region 6. Over the past five years, three teams have dominated 6A to win a state title. Oxford won the title in 2019. Pinson Valley, though, won three — two under Patrick Nix (2017, 2018) and one under Sam Shade (2020).
Asked whether Pinson Valley was really 24 points better than Oxford, head coach Lee Guess said, “I guess tonight we were.”
The Indians know how to win, evidenced by quarterback Keywone Posey hitting TJ Metcalf on a 55-yard bomb to score in the first quarter. Metcalf is committed to play college ball at Arksansas.
And defensively, they’re tough as nails. The Indians intercepted Oxford star quarterback Mason Mims on the second play of the second half, and the unit harried and hurried Mims all night. Linebacker Carlos Mims fell on a fumble in the end zone to score for Pinson Valley as well.
Pinson Valley plays its second straight away game on Friday, this time taking on Homewood.