Brent Hubbert thinks Maplesville is a better football team today than at the end of the 2008 season.

That’s encouraging because the Red Devils have more than three months to continue improving before they play their first game.

Before then, the Red Devils will play Jemison in a spring game beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at Chilton County High’s Tiger Stadium.

“We have a different attitude, work ethic, teamwork, some of those things off the field—maturity,” Hubbert said. “They’re not out there pointing fingers at each other; they’re telling each other good job. We’re excited; the kids are excited.”

Hubbert attributes the changes to the maturity of a young team.

“We had six seniors graduate last year, and we only have four seniors this year,” he said.

The spring game will represent another opportunity for the Devils to mature. Hubbert said he wants to see his team display maximum effort.

“I just want to see us play hard and execute and know where to be,” Hubbert said. “I want us to fly around on defense and execute on offense.”