Photo by James Nicholas.
Pinson Valley’s BJ Diakite (8) during a game against Hewitt-Trussville in August 2020.
Many expected the Pinson Valley football program to take a step back last fall, once Patrick Nix left to take over the Central-Phenix City program.
All Sam Shade did was take over the program, persevere through a pandemic and lead the Indians to their third state title in four years.
“Considering everything we went through, it’s pretty remarkable,” Shade said. “It was very special. It was probably my most memorable year in football.”
However, the task ahead of Shade and his program this fall is stout. The Indians are replacing 15 starters and both coordinators.
“When you win, you’re going to have some turnover,” Shade said.
However, Shade feels good about what the Indians have to make 2021 another banner year for the program.
Photo by Erin Nelson.
Pinson Valley kicker Zaylen Toomer-McCray (24) kicks an extra point during the Class 6A state championship game against Spanish Fort on Dec. 4.
Offense
The biggest piece returning for the Indians this fall is senior quarterback Zach Pyron, who committed to Baylor in the offseason. Pyron has won three consecutive state championships, starting for Fyffe in 2018 and 2019 before moving to Pinson.
“He’s got a really good arm and does a good job of reading defenses and making decisions,” Shade said.
Pyron will be steering the offense for new coordinator Lee Guess, who was already on staff last year working with the quarterbacks and slot receivers.
Pyron will have another familiar face in the backfield with him, as Mike Sharpe takes over duties as the primary running back. Sharpe contributed heavily last fall, but split much of the load with Kenji Christian, who is now at Vanderbilt.
There are three players back along the offensive line with playing experience: Cameron Ambrose, Joel Brown and Carson Moorer. Ambrose is the right tackle, and everything starts with him. Shade said his intelligence translates from the classroom to the football field, and he helps get everyone lined up each play. Brown will be at left guard and Moorer at center.
The one position where there is a lack of experience is at wide receiver, where GaQuincy McKinstry and Jaquel Fells have graduated.
Shade is hopeful senior Taborie Reed takes a big step forward and becomes someone Pinson can rely on heavily. Amare Thomas, Mario Byrd and Korbyn Williams are some others who could step into big roles in the passing game.
Defense
Former Alabama linebacker Darius Gilbert is the new defensive coordinator in the Valley, coming from Austin High. He’s going to have virtually a fresh slate to work with, as only two starters return from a defense that allowed 17 points per game last fall.
Gilbert has been coaching for nearly 20 years and allows the Indians to remain multiple on defense, the way Shade prefers.
BJ Diakite is presumed to be the leader on the Indians defense, as he returns as a senior defensive end.
“A big thing with me is senior leadership,” Shade said. “He’s going to welcome that challenge to step up and lead.”
Zach McCray is the only other starter back for Pinson Valley, as he started every game at corner last fall. Shade mentioned Diakite and McCray as two players talented and versatile enough to play some offense whenever the situation calls upon it as well.
Jacobi Jackson and Zi Keith Springfield each started some games at linebacker last fall, but will be prepared to step into critical roles in the middle of the Pinson Valley defense this fall.
Special teams
Zaylen McCray, a standout soccer player at Pinson Valley, is back after handling much of the kicking for the Indians last year. Shade also noted the progress of Damien Gonzalez and said both players would factor into things between placekicking, punting and kickoffs.
“We feel good about the kicking game with those two guys handling everything,” Shade said.
The return game is another area in which the loss of McKinstry and Fells will be heavily felt. Sharpe, Williams and Byrd are all players Shade mentioned as being possibilities to return punts and kicks, but he admitted none of them are quite on McKinstry’s level yet.
Schedule
Shade led the Indians through Class 6A, Region 6 last fall without a blemish. Pinson Valley went 6-0 and won the region title for the third time in four years and only the fifth time in school history.
But Shade certainly is not assuming the same will occur this season.
“Everybody in our region is going to be better than they were last year. That’s just the way I look at it,” he said.
Getting through the region slate with Gardendale, Minor, Jackson-Olin, Mortimer Jordan, Clay-Chalkville and Jasper will be no easy task, but the non-region slate is perhaps more daunting.
Pinson Valley faces Hewitt-Trussville, Shades Valley, Ramsay and Lee-Montgomery in non-region competition this fall. All four of those teams were in the playoffs a season ago.
“There’s no slouches,” Shade said.
