Pinson Valley High School - Chieftain Yearbook (Pinson, AL)

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Football ' 84 It Happened The 1984 season began with emotions ranging from fear to cautious optimism. We lost many good players from the 1983 squad and planned to open this season with only eight of our 22 starters having lettered before. Considering our first game jitters, we played well enough to defeat a fired-up squad of Redskins from Oneonta 26-6. Fultondale fell the next week, 20-3, behind a big play offense and a stingy defense. The following week against Tarrant was perhaps the finest exhibition of team play that I have experienced. We played a flawless first half and rolled to a 21-0 shutout. Fate was not with us the next against Fairfield. We were upset in what many call the strangest game ever played in Jefferson County. However, the next week we bounced back and completely dominated a very good Hewitt football team 13-3. Our defense put on a show that will not likely be forgotten. Homewood followed and was defeated by the t « I f IT t half with the Indians coasting to a 21-8 win. We opened our region schedule with the Leeds Green Wave. Behind a total team effort, we knocked them out 28-6. A disappointing loss to Gardendal e set up our game with Pell City to determine the State Playoff Represen- tative. With everything on the line, we played one of our best games. The game was won by the fourth quarter and the celebration began. For the first time ever, we were in the State Playoffs. The next week ' s victory over McAdory climaxed an 8 and 2 season, the best in Pinson Valley history. The season ended the next week on a very cold Paul Snow Stadium at Jacksonville. We fought hard but could never overcome some first quarter mistakes. So ended a gratifying year. The victories, honors and memories were high. However, the things that I remember most are the little things that just a few peo- ple know ... the dusty practice field, summer heat, practice in rain and darkness ... the players that were too hurt to play but manag- ed to play anyway ... the tears of joy and sadness ... the smell of the stick-em and atomic balm ... but most of all that tingling sensa- tion of walking on our field on Friday nights with my Indians. 1984 was a very good year of high goals, hard work and great rewards. It was a year that I, our coaches, players and fans will never forget. Head Coach Ken Walker FOOTBALL 51

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The Year It Happened 1984 Football Goals I. Make State Playoffs II. Best Record Ever ■ ■■ ' I mw n ' f -- f-f — r- ' -t f- t TK .1 ' V »• 1 «« V ' 1 «w » w« will t fiiT - ' ' i»»frrTr» ' T -yw « yi i iy i fni n ww ' ifi W ' - ' fTT W 50 FOOTBALL

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Indians bust through for first home game The 1984 Pinson Valley football team was far and away the best In the history of this school. Coach Ken Walker ' s squad compiled a record of 8-2 and took his team to Jacksonville for the state playoffs, marking the first time the In- dians had ever reached post-season play. A look at some of the statistics give just a brief look at why the Valley was so suc- cessful; a total average of 259 yards a game, more than 206 in rushing yardage alone. Todd Graves had 404 yards re- Backbusters perform for crowd Waldrop puts on a move to set up a touchdown ceiving with an incredible 25.25 yards per game average. The In- dians also outscored their op- ponents with 174 points to 1 10. The offense was not the whole reason for the success of Pinson Valley, however. The defense also played superbly game after game. Led by Roddy Mitchell, Craig Tidwell, Greg Williams, Tim Johns, and Wes Justice, the Indians were tough up the middle and most op- ponents found it difficult to find an opening in the line to run through. On pass coverage, Pinson was also outstanding. Chuck Brand, Greg Barnett, David Ball and Chris Steeley were the backfield anchors, playing with an aggressive style of pass defense which made it easier on the linemen to catch opposing quarterbacks. These two sides of the line combined with a fine special teams squad to help make the In- dians the team that they were. Steve Patrick had 177 yards in kickoff returns, followed by Ronny King with 105. Todd Graves did most of the punting for the team and averaged over 37 yards a kick, with a long boot of 68 yards. Bobby Ferrante held the place kicking duties and connected on 14 extra points. As Pinson proved this year, it takes a team effort to win at a team sport 52 FOOTBALL