By Erik Harris
CLAY – There were no lineman. There were no pads. There was no pass rush. The first annual Deerfoot Invitational 7-on-7 tournament at Clay-Chalkville didn’t simulate those Friday night contests that are drawing near, but the Cougars still looked like defending Class 6A state champions.
It was not surprising to see Clay-Chalkville take the field for the tournament’s title game. Their opponent, however, made some unexpected noise to work its way into the tournament finals, which the host team won by a single touchdown.
“It was ironic that it was Pinson and Clay again,” said Clay-Chalkville head coach Jerry Hood. “They always play us tough.”
Pinson Valley, under the direction of sophomore quarterback Jackie Matthews, served as the 14-team tournament’s Cinderella, finishing second behind the Cougars.
“I expected us to do well today, because I had faith in my team,” said Pinson Valley’s quarterback-turned-wide-receiver, Errius Collins. “Especially quarterback Jackie Matthews.”
Despite not having his top two targets – T.J. Simmons and Nico Collins – in the title game, Clay-Chalkville signal caller Ty Pigrome made the difference. In a quarterback duel, the senior (Pigrome) taught the sophomore (Matthews) how to win a championship.
Pigrome was challenged by the Indians’ defense, but still finished 16-for-26 for 174 yards and four touchdowns. With his two All-State wideouts off the field due to cramps, Pigrome looked to Pinson Valley transfer Desmond Williams to make big plays, and he did.
Williams made five catches that went for double-digit yardage on a 40-yard field. But his former teammates didn’t back down.
Collins was unstoppable at times for Pinson Valley. The senior caught five passes against Clay-Chalkville’s green secondary. His 92 yards and three scores kept the Indians close.
“As the games started getting more intense, I got into it more,” said Collins. “I knew [the ball] was going to come my way, but not as much as it did.”
Matthews went 9-for-18 for 132 yards and three touchdowns against the Cougars. As a freshman, he was forced into the starting lineup midway through 2014. His improvement from last season is evident.
“I’ve seen myself grow a lot, because I’ve been working through the offseason,” said Matthews. “I see myself as a leader.”
Going into bracket play, Clay-Chalkville held the No. 1 seed with McAdory, Pinson Valley and Hillcrest Tuscaloosa rounding out the top four.
The Indians secured wins over Shades Valley and McAdory to reach the finals. The Cougars outlasted Bessemer City to advance to the championship game.
Matthews looked like a freshman last season. He is now a sophomore, and it shows through his leadership. He went 35-for-56 (63 percent) for 436 yards and 11 scores throughout bracket play on Thursday.
“What a great day,” said Hood as he walked off the field. “A lot of good kids out here, a lot of great schools, we just think it will bet better and better every year.”