By Joshua Huff, sports editor
PINSON — Following a relatively easy win against Homewood, 42-7, in the first round of the AHSAA Class 6A state playoffs, the path to its third consecutive state championship gets significantly tougher for Pinson Valley as it travels to face Fort Payne in the second round this Friday.
Fort Payne, the Region 8 champions, dispatched a 4-7 Hartselle team, 24-17, in the opening round. The Wildcats are in for a wild ride this Friday as they welcome a Pinson Valley team that has not allowed multiple touchdowns in a game since Sept. 20. In fact, the Indians have held opponents scoreless in three of its past five games.
Behind a bevy of offensive talent led by quarterback Barry White and receivers Keyonteze Johnson and Gaquincy McKinstry, the Indians have scored 40 points or more in their past four games. In total, Pinson Valley has outscored its opponents 175-19 throughout the past four games.
The victor will face either Gardendale or Muscle Shoals in the quarterfinals. Pinson Valley defeated Gardendale, 21-0, on Oct. 4 behind Kenji Christian’s 176 rushing yards.
You can find the updated Class 6A bracket here.
| # | Home | Away | Date | Time | Venue |
| 17 | Park Crossing (Montgomery) |
Stanhope Elmore (Millbrook) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | Crampton Bowl |
| 18 | Wetumpka (Wetumpka) |
Spanish Fort (Spanish Fort) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | Hohenberg Field |
| 19 | Hueytown (Hueytown) |
Eufaula (Eufaula) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | Hueytown High Football Stadium |
| 20 | Opelika (Opelika) |
St. Paul’s (Mobile) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | Opelika – Bulldog Stadium |
| 21 | Clay-Chalkville (Pinson) |
Athens (Athens) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | Clay-Chalkville High School Football Field |
| 22 | Cullman (Cullman) |
Oxford (Oxford) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | OLIVER WOODARD STADIUM |
| 23 | Fort Payne (Fort Payne) |
Pinson Valley (Pinson) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | Fort Payne High School Football Stadium |
| 24 | Gardendale (Gardendale) |
Muscle Shoals (Muscle Shoals) |
11/15/19 | 7 p.m. | Driver Stadium |
