Super 7 Preview: Pinson Valley-Wetumpka could be a shootout

It’s time to crown a Class 6A state champion.

Out of the North, third-ranked Pinson Valley (14-0) punched its ticket to Bryant-Denny Stadium with a 37-7 win over rival Clay-Chalkville in the semifinals last week. Out of the South, sixth-ranked Wetumpka (13-1) earned its Super 7 invite with a 44-27 drubbing of Hillcrest.

The battle for the blue map is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. Either way, one of these programs will bring home its first state championship on Friday night.

Pinson Valley by the numbers

▪ 578 points scored this season (41 points per game).

▪ 213 points surrendered this season (15 points per game).

▪ Average margin of victory throughout the playoffs: 21.

▪ Record versus ranked teams: 3-0.

▪ Opponent’s record: 92-72.

Wetumpka by the numbers

▪ 603 points scored this season (43 points per game).

▪ 268 points surrendered this season (19 points per game).

▪ Average margin of victory throughout the playoffs: 25.

▪ Record versus ranked teams: 2-1

▪ Opponent’s record: 79-78.

Pinson Valley, much like two weeks ago against No. 1 Austin, is expecting to defend a run-first system on Friday night. The Wetumpka Indians attempted only eight passes in a quarterfinal win over No. 4 Spanish Fort. A week later in the semifinals, quarterback J.D. Martin put it in the air 20 times for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Over the last two weeks, Martin has piled up nearly 500 yards rushing to go with five touchdowns. One coach compared him to former Clay-Chalkville quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome—the 2015 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year.

Lining up alongside Martin in the backfield is another dangerous set of wheels. Senior running back Kavosiey Smoke has also done some serious playoff damage, churning up 333 yards rushing and six touchdowns over the last two weeks.

Pinson Valley will certainly try to defend the run better than it did in a quarterfinal win over Austin. The Black Bears hammered the ball on the ground with seniors Asa Martin (379 yards rushing) and Antonio Robinson (160 yards rushing), but the Indians proved something that night in Decatur: They are more than happy to get into a shootout.

Pinson Valley has shown an ability to win, regardless of what the game brings. I’ve seen them win with offense (a lot). I’ve seen them win with defense when needed. I’ve seen them turn the tide with special teams at just the right moment, and on Friday night inside the biggest stadium in the state, I believe I’ll see them finish.

I believe I’ll see them win.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.