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.

It was the pivotal moment that led to Pinson Valley’s 41-38 victory and the fourth playoff spot in Class 6A, Region 6. The Indians took advantage on their second possession in overtime, running sophomore tailback Josh Woods twice – once for 8 yards and again for the 2-yard game-winning score.

“I feel great, to be honest,” said Woods, who rushed for 100 yards on 20 carries and the pivotal score. “I’m just glad we got a chance to be in the playoffs.”

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.

“When we went in at halftime, we were talking about how we have been shooting ourselves in the foot the whole year,” Eatman said. “And if we wanted to continue playing football this year, we had to clean it up, because they weren’t doing anything to us, we were doing it to ourselves. We had one player who had 45 yards in penalties in the first half, which is unheard of here.”

The Indians almost let the game slip away. During the first half, Pinson Valley had more penalty yards (95) than they had passing yards (79), and only 13 more rushing yards (108). The Indians finished with 16 penalties for 117 yards.

Pell City (1-8, 1-5) 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 thought we played hard the whole game,” said Pell City first-year head coach Rush Propst. “I just think we self-inflict ourselves, fumble a kickoff and then missed that field goal at the end of the game. He (Blackstone) has been one of the state’s leaders in field goal. You know, when it goes bad it just seems like we can’t get over the hump.”

Pinson’s Dylan Reese hit Keywone Posey on the first play of overtime with a perfect throw to put the Indians up 35-28. Getmanschuk then connected with Caleb Gross to tie it up and send the game into the second overtime.

Play of the game: Benefield’s pass breakup forced Pell City to go for a field goal in double overtime, changing the complexion of the game.

By the numbers: Pinson Valley’s Dylan Reese had 79 yards passing in the first half, but went 7-for-12 after intermission and finished at 15-for-29 for 210 yards and threw four touchdowns – including three to Posey and one to Asher Hawkins. Pell City’s Getmanshchuk was 7-of-15 for 85 yards, while Panthers senior athlete Caleb Groce ran for 99 yards with both a rushing and receiving touchdown.

Game ball: Woods ran 20 times for 100 yards and the winning score.

Coachspeak: “Those guys (Reese, Hawkins, Woods and Posey) feed off of each other. With them being out there at the same time, this team can be dangerous. The main thing right now with this team is growing up. It’s like basketball. Hopefully we’ll start peaking right now.” – Eatman

They said it: “Those three things: a snap infraction, missed field goal and the fumbled kickoff were the difference in the game.” – Propst

“I just seen the end zone, man. I see now (how big it was). I just want to keep playing football, get in the playoffs.” – Benefield

Next week: Pinson Valley ends the regular season with a bye week, while Pell City travels to Springville.

– Bobby Mathews

Parker 56, Huffman 0

Martavius Purnell had eight carries for 100 yards and three touchdowns as Class 6A fifth-ranked Parker completed Region 5 undefeated.

The Thundering Herd (9-1, 6-0) also got an interception return for a touchdown from Jourdin Crawford and Carlton Duncan had a 50-yard punt return score.

Cedric Sparks and Amari Brundidge each had a rushing touchdown.

This post will be updated.