Brent Hubbert was familiar with Maplesville before he took the job as the school’s varsity football coach prior to the 2004 season.

Hubbert’s father coached the Red Devils from 1984-86, from 1991-99 and during the 2000 season, leading MHS to two state championship games and winning one.

When the job became available, the younger Hubbert knew he would like to coach a program with a “work hard, play hard” mentality.

“Watching film, even though they were 0-9 the year before I got there, the one thing about the kids at Maplesville is they’re going to give you every single thing they’ve got,” Hubbert said. “As far back as I can remember, that’s been the mentality for the football program. When that’s the case, you may not always win, but you’re always going to be able to compete.”

The 2011 Red Devils embodied those values as much as any other team, as they compiled a perfect 12-0 record before finally falling to eventual Class 1A runner-up Linden, 21-7, in the third round of the state playoffs.

“Believe me, we’re not always the bigger or most athletic team,” Hubbert said. “It’s pretty fun to win with that type of attitude.”

The Devils won enough—and Hubbert had enough to do with those wins—that he is named The Clanton Advertiser’s Coach of the Year.

“Every year, when we start thinking about next year, we know that we’ve got to have enough kids that are hungry and sacrifice and commit to the way we want to play the game. Size, strength and those things, you can improve on that. We’ve got to have the ones with the right attitude. It’s hard to coach those things. We’ve been fortunate to have those kids in our program.”

Hubbert’s teams at Maplesville have won 77 games and made the playoffs in all eight seasons, and there are no signs the run will end anytime soon.

“I had all intentions to come here and stay her until I was old and finished,” he said. “That’s still my plan. The community revolves around that school. Not only are the kids working hard, but they learn about it at home. It’s a hard-working community.”

But with the support the Maplesville community gives the football program comes great expectations.

“It’s hard to keep the kids focused,” Hubbert said. “The coaches get on to me about making the kids think every team we play is going to be like Alabama. That’s just how I am. I’m scared to death no matter who we play.

“The easy part is being the underdog, but when you’re up there around the top, it’s tougher to stay.”