By Erik Harris
PINSON – It was a tale of two arms that led Pinson Valley to a fourth-place finish in Class 6A, Region 6 and a first-round playoff birth last year. However, with both arms returning for another season under the watch of head coach Matt Glover, the final chapter of this tale has yet to be paged.
The proceedings have been well documented. Junior righty Errius Collins started the season under center before being removed not only from the huddle, but also from the locker room midway through the schedule. Freshman Jackie Matthews led the charge from there, and both he and Collins will be suiting up again this fall.
Plan A will keep Matthews at quarterback and split Collins out wide as a receiving target, but Collins is expected to continue working through quarterback drills in practice.
“If we had to go with Collins (at quarterback), he would do fine,” offensive coordinator Jon Clements said. “The kids know he can do it and he knows he can do it.”
Matthews and Collins are both likely to take snaps at some point this fall, but one thing is for certain. Nick Gibson, a former standout for the Indians and current member of the Mississippi State football team, will not be taking snaps from his operative “Seminole Package” come Friday night.
“As a coach, you don’t get a bunch of Nick Gibson’s. He’s once in a lifetime,” Clements said.
Replacing his SEC-caliber talent will be no small task, but the team is excited about what upcoming junior Torrey Hendrix can do from the backfield. Clements referred to him as “the best team guy in the locker room.”
“Torrey is a true pleasure to coach. He brings great effort every single day,” Clements said. “He’s not 6’2”, 210 like Gibson was, but Torrey’s going to get it done for us.”
Sophomore Khymel Chaverst is expected to step in as Pinson Valley’s No. 2 back and with three returning starters on the offensive line, Hendrix and Chaverst should have some running lanes to work with.
“(Hendrix has) really taken (Chaverst) under his wing a little bit. They work out together, watch film together and I feel good with either guy,” Clements said. “(Chaverst) is really like (Hendrix), he’s going to be more of a jitterbug that gets in there and bounces around.”
Left tackle Jackie Gulley, right tackle Ryan Jackson and center Turner Shankles (all seniors) make for an experienced unit that is expected to lead an otherwise young offense. Senior Tanner Wilbanks and junior Rodrick Tunstall should fill in nicely for the two open guard positions.