By Kyle Parmley
PINSON – The postseason fate is all but secured for Pinson Valley. The Indians will likely be the third seed out of Class 6A, Region 6 in the AHSAA state playoffs.
Pinson Valley (6-2, 3-2 in Region 6) faces a small possibility of being the fourth seed, but that would require a loss to Shades Valley and a Huffman loss to Woodlawn, which is not likely.
But as the Indians close out the regular season with contests against Shades Valley this Friday night and Minor next week, there is a great deal of work left to accomplish.
The Indians defeated Center Point, 34-0, last Friday, but the scoreboard does not tell the entire story of the game. Neither team played well, as the two combined for just 174 yards of total offense.
Pinson Valley is working to get its offense back on track, after a couple of sluggish games. Running back Torrey Hendrix should be back for the first time in roughly a month, and should be a needed boost.
But after the Center Point game, the message was simple.
“There is a good Shades Valley team coming into Willie Adams Stadium this week.”
Each player interviewed and head coach Matt Glover gave some version of that response at the end of each answer.
The Mounties come in with a 2-6 record, with both of those victories coming in region play. They must win to hold on to any playoff hopes remaining, so Pinson Valley can expect a motivated team.
Shades Valley has been a team of highs and lows this season, with two near misses recently. The Mounties nearly knocked off Gardendale, who is perfect in the region, and lost a close game last week to Huffman.
The Tribe’s defense has been lights out this season, with three shutouts. While I don’t expect them to notch another one Friday, they should have success limiting Shades Valley. I’ll say Pinson Valley wins by a touchdown, 24-17.