By Erik Harris
BIRMINGHAM – For the first time in a long time Pinson Valley is 3-0.
The Indians captured their third consecutive victory in dominant fashion over Class 6A, Region 6 foe Woodlawn on Friday night at Lawson Field. Friday night’s win gives the visitors a 1-0 mark in region play.
Pinson Valley QB Jackie Matthews reaching the end zone on Friday night at Lawson Field. Photo by Kristi Slawson
Offensively, much of the damage was done in the final two quarters. Pinson Valley, led by sophomore signal caller Jackie Matthews, took a 14-0 lead into the break, but quickly built on that over the next 12 minutes.
“For some reason we always play better in the second half. I don’t know if it’s our kids getting used to it, I don’t know what it is, but we have to come out (fast),” Pinson Valley head coach Matt Glover said.
Matthews caped a six-play drive with a five-yard scamper off left tackle to give his team a 21-0 advantage early in the third. The lefty set that score up with a 26-yard strike to Errius Collins to put the Tribe inside the ten.
He also posted the first points of the night with a much longer dash. Matthews took matters into his own hands, keeping a read option, bouncing to his left and sprinting 25 yards for the early lead.
That would be all Pinson Valley needed to earn its first region win of the new season, thanks to a stellar outing by Glover’s defensive unit.
Defensively, the Indians forced six three-and-outs, seven punts and a pair of interceptions. Sacks were recorded by Zapeth Cunningham, Trey Minnifield, Raymond Womack, Keenan Toney and Zeke Lawrence among others.
“They’re playing with energy right now,” Glover said of his defensive. “I thought we played a lot better in the secondary tonight.”
Not only were points hard to come by, even gaining positive yardage was a struggle for the Colonels against a stout Indians’ defense. Woodlawn only managed 34 snaps on the night for a total of 18 yards and two first downs. Defensive backs Andrew McKinney and C.J. Rudolph both nabbed interceptions.
McKinney’s first half interception set the stage for running back Torrey Hendrix to grind up a tired defense. He went 31 yards on the first play of the drive, and drug defenders for the remaining six yards to paydirt on the next snap to finalize the opening half with a 14-0 lead.
“Hearing people (talk about replacing Nick Gibson) gives me a lot of fire, and I just want to win games and I know what I have to do to win,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix only grew stronger in the second half as he visited the end zone twice more. The first went 24 yards right through the middle of the Colonels’ defense on fourth-and-two. He scored again on the next drive from six yards out to finalize the score late in the third quarter.
Hendrix, the Tribune Player of the Week award winner for the first two games of the year, finished the game with 18 rushes for 129 yards and three scores. Matthews went 10-of-21 through the air for 123 yard and one interception. He added 43 yards on the ground with a pair of touchdowns.
Pinson Valley will be back in region play next week when Gardendale visits Willie Adams Stadium.
Follow Erik Harris on Twitter @jeharris2.
