By Joshua Huff, sports editor
PINSON – Pinson Valley held its annual national signing day ceremony on Wednesday with three players declaring their intention to further their football and academic careers in college.
Tez Johnson (Troy)
Senior Tez Johnson has signed to play football at Troy University. The 5-foot-11 receiver hauled in a team-leading 80 receptions for 1,439 yards with 15 touchdowns during a 2019 season in which Pinson Valley was minutes away from advancing into its third consecutive championship game. Johnson was a three-year starter for the Indians and was named as an All-State Alabama honoree in 2018.
Johnson was listed as a three-star player by 247Sports. He had offers from Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee State, Eastern Kentucky and Arkansas State.
His most memorable performance game came during a 17-catch, 247-yard and three-touchdown night against Clay-Chalkville in 2018.
The 🎰🎰 is rolling … welcome, Tez Johnson to the Troy Family ‼️#TroyNSD20 | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/hP0kBzGPOh
— Troy Trojans Football (@TroyTrojansFB) December 18, 2019
Donny Hawkins (Samford)
Offensive lineman Donny Hawkins will next take his services just south of Pinson at Samford University.
Hawkins helmed a Pinson Valley offensive line that averaged 34 points per game. The Indians had four consecutive games in which they scored 40-plus points.
Ready to see you maul up front‼️#NSD #AllForSAMford🐶🐾 pic.twitter.com/DmMiXzIEqm
— Samford Football (@SamfordFootball) December 18, 2019
Jackie Matthews (West Virginia via MS Gulf Coast)
Jackie Matthews has signed to play at West Virginia following a stint at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where he was named a First-Team NJCAA All-American following a season in which undefeated MS Gulf Coast won the NJCAA Championship, 24-13, over No. 2 Lackawanna.
Matthews led the Gulf Coast conference with six interceptions, which is fifth-most in the nation. The sophomore safety recorded 52 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss with one sack this season. Matthews was named one of 10 Bulldogs selected to the All-MACJC South teams, where he was named Most Valuable Defensive Back.
Matthews is most recognized for his contribution to Pinson Valley’s first Class 6A state title run as he filled in for former quarterback Bo Nix when he went down with an injury during the 2017 season.
“It means a lot, but I think it’s more of a team effort,” Matthews said in a press release issued by the Bulldogs. “My coaches, the position they put me in, and my teammates for pushing me every day in practice makes it very special.”
Welcome defensive back Jackie Matthews from Pinson, Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College!
➡️ https://t.co/CHoJFUxaTM#HailWV | #TrustTheClimb | #TakeMeHome20 pic.twitter.com/KXqyLSzzg3
— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) December 18, 2019