By Justin Nails
Tribune Sports
PINSON—Pinson Valley capped off their 2018 regular season Friday, Nov. 3, with their first game shutout in a 45-0 win over Lee Huntsville. The win is the Indians eighth straight win after dropping the season opener to Hoover.
The Indians began the game with great field position on their 38-yard line, driving all the way into the Generals red zone before being forced to kick a field goal to take the 3-0 lead. Pinson Valley’s defense held strong in the first half not allowing the Generals to pass over the 50-yard line.
The Generals were forced to punt to dangerous return man, Gaquincey McKinstry, who returned the ball to Lee’s 22-yard line.
After a penalty that backed Pinson Valley up, Bo Nix found Tez Johnson for a 27-yard touchdown pass putting the Indians ahead 10-0.
The Indians defense were big once again as Dashazio Williams secured an interception, almost taking it to the house before tripping up deep in Lee territory. After a completed pass from Nix to Talil Pouncey to the 1-yard line, John McKinney provided Pinson Valley with their first rushing attempt of the night to a 1-yard touchdown run giving the Indians a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Indians capped off the quarter with an interception by Kendall Thornton that was returned to the Lee 19-yard line. Two plays later, Nix found Tez Johnson for an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving the duo their second touchdown each for the evening.
Nix found senior Geordan Pollard twice in the second quarter giving Nix four touchdowns in the first half and the Indians a 38-0 halftime lead. Backup quarterback Barry White took over in the third quarter finding Taborie Reed on a 5-yard touchdown pass giving the Indians the final score of the evening – a 45-0 win.
Head coach Patrick Nix spoke after the game.
“Well we played well early which we obviously needed to do tonight, but we got a long way to go and a lot to improve on,” said Nix. “Now we’ve got to get ready for a five-week grind to, hopefully, finish what we wanted to accomplish from the get go.”
Nix also shared about his defense finally getting their first shutout of the season.
“Thankfully we were able to get the shutout,” he said. “We’ve had four blown opportunities when the one’s come out and the two’s give up a late score, so thankfully we were able to get the shutout. It makes our defense look like they’re not as good as they are, but this defense is very good and I’d take them anywhere anytime.”
Nix also shared about getting his team ready mentally for the playoffs and what that process looks like.
“We just get ready every week,” Nix said. “Get ready for the next day and the goal is not just to make the playoffs, the goal is to win it, there’s no doubt about that. It’s a daily process.”
Nix said he’s seen growth everywhere from his team from that first loss of the season to now.
“There’s so many different spots that you can look at from,” Nix said. “The defensive line, wide receivers and the offensive line has really come a long way. There’s so many different places that we’ve really grown and I’m proud of the guys and how hard they’ve worked all season to get better each week and I totally expect we will get better each week through the playoffs.”
The Indians playoff begins next Friday, Nov. 9, at Willie Adams Stadium against Albertville.