Class 1A, Region 3

Coach Brent Hubbert (37-11 in four seasons at Maplesville)

Last year 9-0 regular season, 7-0 region, lost to Sweet Water in semifinal playoffs

Key losses QB Marcus Wilson, RB Marvin Morton, WR Nick Andrews, G Byron Goodwin, C Robert Holloway, DT Darius Stone, DT Vic Walls, DE Regis Laister, LB Brad Pike, S Brian Frith

Schedule

8/29 Billingsley*

9/5 Open

9/12 at Sunshine*

9/19 at John Essex*

9/26 Autaugaville*

10/3 Linden*

10/10 at Akron*

10/17 A.L. Johnson*

10/24 at Holy Spirit*

10/31 American Christian

* region game

Key game Linden. This could be the toughest game in a tough new region for Maplesville. Also, the Red Devils knocked Linden out of the playoffs last year.

Roster

2-Darrell Goodwin-So.

3-Edwin Pettiway-So.

4-Blake Crumpton-So.

5-Brandon Shields-8th

6-Romeo Laister-Jr.

7-Chris Reeves-Sr.

8-Chris Bailey-Fr.

9-Cameron Morrow-Fr.

10-Cody Howell-So.

11-Apollos Abercrombie-Fr.

12-Matt Hamner-So.

13-Brett Connell-Fr.

14-Brian Bailey-Jr.

15-James Madsen-So.

20-Anthony Johnson-8th

21-Hunter McCay-So.

22-Josh Talley-Jr.

24-Brandon Barnes-So.

25-Jordan Bailey-So.

27-Brett Seales-Fr.

30-Kuwan Barnes-Sr.

31-Jacob Little-Sr.

32-Brintain Hill-8th

34-Matt Talley-8th

35-Kelvin Hall-8th

36-Dustin Stephens-Fr.

41-Tevin Lanier-8th

44-Kyle Clemmons-Jr.

52-Brandon Morrow-8th

53-Troy Brown-So.

54-Bobby Smith-So.

55-Blane Fuller-Jr.

57-Trace Huey-So.

58-Tanner Hunter-Fr.

60-Matthew Harrison-Jr.

61-Dominik Wilson-Jr.

65-Johnathan Causey-Fr.

66-Cameron Andrews-8th

68-J.R. Chandler-Fr.

70-Daniel Davenport-Sr.

71-Casey Atcheson-So.

73-Dylan Wallace-So.

75-Justin Howell-Sr.

76-Joey Roe-Sr.

77-Tyler Vowell-Fr.

78-Matthew Dunkin-Fr.

82-Keith Shields-Fr.

85-Jarnez Marzette-Fr.

88-Patrick Alteena-Jr.

Key player Matt Hamner, quarterback. With only two starters back on defense, Maplesville will have to score a lot of points this year. In coach Brent Hubbert’s offense, much of that responsibility falls on the quarterback.

Gone are nine defensive starters, many which also played crucial roles on the offensive side of the ball. No more Nick Andrews, Mr. Do-It-All. No more Marcus Wilson, who earned the Advertiser’s 2007 Player of the Year honors. No more Brad Pike, the heart and soul of the Red Devils.

So, no deep playoff run, right? If you think that, don’t tell coach Brent Hubbert and his Red Devils. Despite the losses, Maplesville should be a good team once again. Good enough to make it three consecutive trips to the semifinal round of the Class 1A state playoffs? That will depend on how a large group of first-time starters perform. Fortunately, most of them boast a great deal of experience because of the amount of playing time they saw while the Red Devils were outscoring their opponents 615-180, even including a playoff loss.

“This time, it’ll be 0-0 when they play,” Hubbert said.

Quarterbacks

Hubbert will likely turn to sophomore Matt Hamner to

run his spread offense with senior Chris Reeves as the backup. Hubbert said he has been happy with the progres-

sion of Hamner, who grew to 6’4” over the summer.

“That brings a lot to the spread,” Hubbert said.

Running backs

Maplesville’s plan is running back by committee.

“Right now, Hunter McCay is the chairman of that com-

mittee,” Hubbert said.

Along with the sophomore McCay, freshman Chris Bailey, senior Kuwan

Barnes (a transfer from Jess Lanier) and freshman Cameron Morrow will all see time. Hubbert said the four are all about equal in ability, and a rotation will allow the team to have fresh legs in the game at all times.

Receivers

Junior Brian Bailey’s leadership has caught up with his

athletic ability, Hubbert said. A youngster in a group of veterans a year ago, Bailey has now taken charge of a group that

includes fellow juniors Kyle Clemmons, Romeo Laister and Josh Talley and sophomores Blake Crumpton and James Madsen.

Offensive line

Left tackle Dylan Wallace (a sophomore), left guard Casey Atcheson (sophomore), center Blane Fuller (junior), right

guard Justin Howell (senior) and right tackle Daniel Davenport (senior) all started last season. Throw

in top reserve Matthew Harrison (“We feel like we have six starters,” Hubbert said), and it’s obvious why Maplesville’s coach thinks his offensive front will be a team strength. The group took top honors in three different competitions over the summer. A competition at Susan Moore High School featured seven other teams, and one at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp at Tennessee Tech featured 17 other groups.

“They’ve had a real good offseason,” Hubbert said. “We’re looking for them to give us a lot of leadership.”

Defensive line

Davenport, Howell and Wallace will all move across

the line of scrimmage to man the defensive front as well as the offensive one. Junior transfer Dominik Wilson is the likely

starter at one defensive end spot.

Linebackers

Senior Jacob Little is the top

returning tackler from last year’s defense. Brian Bailey is also a returning starter. Atcheson leads the

campaign to start at the other linebacking position.

Secondary

Chris Bailey and Romeo Laister are likely starters at the corner positions. Sophomore Darrell Goodwin and Morrow are the top candidates at the safety spots.

Special teams

Atcheson was a part-time kicker last year and will likely handle the duties full-time this year. He will be pushed by Germany native and former soccer player Patrick Alteena, a junior. Brian Bailey will handle the punting duties, and Maplesville’s stable of running backs, receivers and defensive backs will share the kick return load.