Hartselle (8-2) at Pinson Valley (6-4)
Series: Hartselle leads 2-0
Last meeting: Hartselle won 22-21 in 2011
Scoring Avg: Hartselle – 23.5, Pinson Valley – 38.5
Scoring Defense Avg: Hartselle – 13.0, Pinson Valley – 24.3
Opponents’ Record: Hartselle 50-50, Pinson Valley 59-41
Common Opponents: None
Playoff Appearances: Hartselle 32, Pinson Valley 14
Playoff Record: Hartselle 36-30 (18-13 in first round), Pinson Valley 4-13 (4-9 in first round)
Indians to watch: RB Nick Gibson, QB Brooks Garett, LB Elijah Bibbs, S Devon Scarbrough, CB Jaylyne Rhone, DE Damu Cooper
Tigers to watch: RB D’Andre Mack, RB Masio Stover, QB Jake Tiffin, WR Tanner Oakes, LB Waid Miller, LB Dakota Youngblood, DL Chance Walker, DL/OL Kody Kodra, LB Chase Gillott, DB Jorden “Speedy” Robinson, DB Connor Shelton, DB Jamal Jackson, and many more.
Gibson’s magical season: Pinson Valley running back Nick Gibson needs 65 yards against Hartselle to break the 2,000-yard mark for this season. It might not be possible to stop him as he still had more than 100 yards against Briarwood, but the key is not letting him get loose to score on big plays. Gibson will likely be the best running back Hartselle’s defense will see this season.
Stover and Mack: Masio Stover and D’Andre Mack have rolled up a large amount of rushing yards over the last two weeks. There’s a good chance the two can do it again as Hartselle’s improving offensive line should have an opportunity to open up some holes on the line. They will need to keep the chains moving to keep the ball out of Gibson’s hands.
Turnovers will be the key: Pinson Valley has been an opportunistic team this season taking advantage of turnovers. They have used turnovers to turn a tight game into a runaway. The team that wins the turnover battle will likely win this game.