With the score knotted at 35 in double overtime, Pinson Valley’s Cam Benefield dove in front of a Nikita Getmanshchuk pass on third down to deflect the ball away from an open Pell City receiver to force the Panthers to try for a field goal.
Pinson Valley is 4-5 on the season, but they won the games they needed in order to advance to the playoffs under first-year head coach Gentrell Eatman, going 3-3 in region play. Pell City took advantage, driving to the Pinson 22-yard-line with less than 2 minutes to play and the teams tied at 28. The Panthers worked the clock, and Jake Blackstone lined up for a 41-yard field goal attempt to win the game with 4 seconds left in regulation. Blackstone missed the kick, and the teams headed to overtime.
“I just seen the end zone, man. I see now . I just want to keep playing football, get in the playoffs.” – BenefieldPinson Valley ends the regular season with a bye week, while Pell City travels to Springville.Martavius Purnell had eight carries for 100 yards and three touchdowns as Class 6A fifth-ranked Parker completed Region 5 undefeated.