The Loachapoka Indians were too mighty for the Maplesville Red Devils on Friday night, doubling them 18-9 in round one of the playoffs.

The Devils’ Matt Hamner connected with Brian Bailey for a 52-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to put Maplesville up 7-0.

Near the end of the first, the Indians’ Patrick Moore and Quindravis Richardson answered with an 85-yard touchdown passing play. The extra point attempt, however, was blocked.

Loachapoka blocked a Maplesville punt on the next drive, but the Devils’ Blake Crumpton intercepted on the next play.

On the ensuing drive, Maplesville got within four yards of scoring but turned the ball over on downs.

With 5:06 left in the half, Moore completed a pass to Ladextric Jones for a 30-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good, but the Moore-Jones duo would strike again before halftime.

As the halftime buzzer sounded, Jones crossed the goal line for another Indian touchdown. Again, no cigar on the extra point but the Devils trailed 7-18 at the break.

After a scoreless third quarter, Maplesville was awarded a safety as the result of an intentional grounding call on the Indians in the Devil end zone.

Maplesville would receive the ball, but soon thereafter the ball was knocked loose and Loachapoka’s Ricky Hunter recovered a fumble.

Before game’s end, the Devils would get within three yards of scoring but could not penetrate the Indian defense.

“We let them into the game,” Maplesville coach Brent Hubbert said. “We thought they were asleep or dead, but they woke up. They were a lot bigger and stronger, and they played more physically in the red zone.”

Looking back on the season, Hubbert said they played a large number of young guys and the seniors showed a lot of leadership.

“I hope the young kids learn from their mistakes,” he said. “We may have 15 crying in here now, but we would like to have 60 celebrating.”

Maplesville freshman Chris Bailey rushed for 97 yards on eight carries, and had two receptions for 45 yards.