By Shane Paschal, For the Tribune
PINSON, Ala.-Pell City came into their game with Pinson Valley needing a win to clinch their first playoff spot since 2017. Pinson Valley came in seeking a sweet win for an otherwise sour season. The fans that showed up saw a shootout with neither team backing down, and Pell City emerging with a hard fought 48-39 win.
Pinson got the ball first, but neither team could do anything on their first possessions. On Pinson’s second possession, they scored on a 45-yard pass and, with the extra point, led 7-0 with 5:22 left in the first quarter. Pell City answered immediately with a 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Ethan Isbell. With their extra point, Pell City tied the game at 7-all with 5:11 left in the quarter. That would be how the first quarter would end.
Early in the second quarter, Pell City scored again on a one-yard run and, with their extra point, led 14-7 over Pinson with 10:47 left in the half. Pinson would punt back to the Panthers on their next possession, and the Panthers would capitalize with a 35-yard field goal to extend their lead to 17-7 with 7:42 left in the half. Pinson Valley would answer, scoring on their next possession with a seven-yard touchdown run. The extra point would be no good, and with 3:25 left in the half, Pinson narrowed the Panther lead to 17-13. Pell City returned to work, taking the kickoff back to their 47. Including pass completions of 19 & 22 yards, Pell City had first-and-goal at the Pinson 1. The Panthers’ DJ Verges ran it in from one yard out on the next play. With their extra point, the Panthers would now lead 24-13 with 1:48 left in the half. Pinson got the ball back and immediately capitalized, scoring on a 38-yard pass. Their two-point run was good, and with 35 seconds left in the half, Pinson narrowed the lead to 24-21. Pell City wasn’t done, either, driving quickly downfield and converting a 37-yard field goal as time expired in the half to extend their lead to 27-21.
Pell City got the ball to start the second half and continued right where they left off. A 45-yard pass reception for a touchdown and extra point would extend the Panther lead to 34-21 with 11:15 left in the 3rd quarter. Pinson turned the ball over on downs on their next possession, and the Panthers missed a 46-yard field goal on theirs. Pinson then drove down and scored a touchdown on a 5-yard quarterback keeper. The extra point was blocked, with Pell City’s lead now standing at 34-27. That would be how the third quarter would end.
Pell City would extend their lead early in the fourth quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run by Je’Mareo Clegg. With the extra point, the Panthers would extend their lead to 41-27 with 11:04 left in the game. Pinson would get the ball and, on their first play, connected on a 60-yard pass for 1st down at the Panther 20. A quarterback keeper would take the ball down to the 2, and on the next play, another keeper would score another touchdown for Pinson. The extra point would be no good, and with 10:09 left in the game, the Panther’s lead would be 41-33. Pell City would strike right back with a 23-yard touchdown run by DJ Verges, his second of the game. With the successful extra point, the Panthers lead would be extended to 48-33 with 7:57 left. Pinson would go right back down the field and score on a pass, their two-point run would be no good, and with 6:45 left in the game, Pinson closed the deficit to 48-39. Pell City would punt on their next possession, giving the Indians a chance, but they turned the ball over on downs, and the Panthers ran out the clock to seal their win.
Pell City improves to 4-4 on the season. The win gives the Panthers their first playoff berth since 2017 when they lost to Shades Valley in the first round. It appears they will finish fourth and visit the Region 8 champ, more than likely Fort Payne. Pinson Valley falls to 1-7 on the year, with their playoff chances now gone. The Panther win also ends the playoff hopes for another Tribune team, Shades Valley, who were hoping for an Indian win to keep their hopes alive going into their final game next week.
