By Joshua Huff, sports editor
PINSON — Pinson Valley’s two-sport star Ga’Quincy McKinstry was recently named to the 2019 MaxPreps High School Junior All-American Team as an offensive second-team member.
McKinstry, also a member of the Indians’ basketball team, finished this past season with 47 receptions for 700 yards with 12 touchdowns. He also returned 12 kickoffs for 183 yards and intercepted one pass.
The junior currently has offers from a slew of Power 5 schools. Yet in December, McKinstry narrowed his list down to eight teams: Ohio State, Auburn, Miami, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and LSU.
McKinstry was part of a Pinson Valley team this season that was one win away from returning to the Class 6A state championship for the third consecutive season. Pinson Valley had won seven consecutive games going into the semifinals against Oxford behind a defense that has often been described as one of the best units to reside in the state. The Indians had not allowed more than 14 points per game. Even more, Pinson Valley had held three opponents scoreless in that span. The Indians allowed just 11.5 points per game.
Offensively, the Indians scored 30-plus points eight times this past season. Their lowest scoring output of the season was a 21-0 victory over Gardendale.
Collectively, McKinstry is listed as a 5-star recruit and the third-best cornerback prospect in the nation.