Indians, Cougars, Eagles Begin Postseason Play

TRUSSVILLE, AL — The road to the state championship begins this week as the AHSAA football playoffs get underway. Pinson Valley looks to defend its state title, while Clay-Chalkville hope to best its semifinal run from last year.

The Indians will host Homewood Friday night, coming off a dominating performance last week against Lee-Huntsville which resulted in a 47-0 win. Homewood limps into the playoffs with a 4-6 record and coming off a 31-28 loss to Paul Bryant.

A win would place Pinson Valley in a second-round match-up against the winner of the game between Fort Payne and Hartselle.

Clay-Chalkville brings an 8-2 record into its first round game at Helena. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams, and the Cougars come into the game off a 31-21 win over 7A opponent Gadsden City. Helena beat Calera 21-3 last week.

The winner faces either Athens or Buckhorn in the second round of the playoffs.

In 5A action, Center Point has a first-round match-up against Etowah in Attalla. The Eagles were ranked as high as 6th in the state in the Alabama Sports Writers Association polls this season, but found themselves out of the polls by the season's end.

Center Point would face either Scottsboro or Russelville next week with a win Friday.