By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Pelham Panthers will shift their eyes to the first round of the Class 6A playoffs after closing out the regular season with a 55-20 loss to the Shades Valley Mounties on Nov. 1.

“We’ve got to move forward. We’re going to the playoffs, and that’s our main focus right now,” PHS head coach Brett Burnett said of the Panthers upcoming playoff visit to Fairhope on Nov. 8. “Hopefully we’ll go down and get a win for Pelham.”

Pelham offensive lineman Grant Clayton, a junior, was injured on the Panthers’ first drive of the game, and was taken off the field in an ambulance.

“He got a knee to the head early in the game,” Burnett said. “He had good movement. He had strength in his feet and strength in his hands, and that’s a good sign. Hopefully, he’s OK.”

Pelham finished the game with 246 total yards, compared to Shades Valley’s 519. Rushing leaders for the Panthers were Moregan Sharp, who had 38 yards on seven carries, and Robert Hayes, who had 37 yards on seven carries.

R.J. McCall reeled in two passes for 39 yards, and Hayes caught one pass for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Defensive leaders for Pelham were Christian Davis with nine tackles, followed by D.J. Ervin with five tackles.

Pelham’s first touchdown came on a 2-yard scamper by Seth Kelosky on Pelham’s opening drive. Austin Bowen’s extra point attempt split the uprights.

The Panthers scored again late in the second quarter on a 24-yard sprint by Jalen Smith, followed by a successful Bowen PAT.

Pelham’s third touchdown came with less than a minute left in the game when sophomore quarterback Dre Sackreiter connected with Hayes on a 31-yard pass. Kendal Williams’ point-after attempt fell short.