By Gary Lloyd
For The Tribune
For half of Friday night’s game between Clay-Chalkville and Pinson Valley, the Indians had Cougars fans stunned.
Junior quarterback Brooks Garrett found senior wide receiver Earnest Robinson for a 52-yard score, giving the Indians an early 7-0 lead. Pinson Valley held the Class 6A second-ranked Cougars scoreless in the first quarter.
Garrett rumbled for an 8-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, and a minute later the Indians were up 21-0 after senior Harry Mason intercepted Cougars junior signal-caller Hayden Moore and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown.
A 21-7 halftime cushion had the Clay-Chalkville faithful quiet.
Clay-Chalkville (5-0) opened the third quarter with a seven-play, 71-yard scoring drive, punctuated by a 1-yard touchdown run by junior Sidney Battle. Two minutes later, the game was tied after a 63-yard TD run by sophomore Terrelle West. By the end of the third quarter, the Cougars led 28-21.
Pinson Valley (2-3) tied the game late in the fourth quarter when Garrett hit senior A.J. Freeman for an 11-yard score. The Indians missed an overtime field goal, Cougars senior kicker Robert Greene subsequently made a 26-yarder and Clay Chalkville won, 31-28.
“This is the first game we’ve played this year that we’ve played to our potential,” said Indians head coach Matt Glover. “I was proud of our kids. You’re disappointed you lost, but I saw great things.”
The defense was stingy in the first half. The offense had some success through the air and on the ground. The Indians were able to hang with one of the best teams in Class 6A football.
“We’re clicking now,” Robinson said.
Glover said he knew Clay-Chalkville would make a run in the second half. He said his team needed to weather the storm.
“We fought back,” he said. “I was pleased with our overall effort.”
Cougars head coach Jerry Hood said his team took Pinson Valley for granted and was out-coached and out-prepared
. The Indians were more excited to play and should have won the game, he said.
“We almost got what we deserved,” Hood said.