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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

After a 0-2 start to the season, Maplesville High School bounced back in a huge way blowing out Central High School-Hayneville 61-6 at home on Sept. 8. The Red Devils outgained Central 396-155 in total yardage to dominate their AHSAA Class 1A Region 4 opener.

“The first two games of the season definitely showed our kids the areas they needed to concentrate on to get better, and it has been a process,” Maplesville head coach Brad Abbott said. “This past week of practice we have made good strides in all three areas and played a pretty solid game (against Hayneville), and we hope to build on it and keep getting better as the year goes on.”

Maplesville’s Bryson Pickle got the scoring going with a four-yard touchdown run and the two-point conversion to go up 8-0 early. Pickle later would add a five-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter as well. Two of his four carries went for a score in the game.

Quarterback Bradlee Padgett found Aidan Abbott for a 23-yard connection later in the first quarter before Central got its only score of the game to make it 14-6 midway through the quarter.

Then, the Red Devils’ Nehemiah McCary closed out the first quarter scampering for a 53-yard touchdown run to put Maplesville up 22-6 after the opening quarter. McCary led Maplesville in rushing with 106 yards on 10 carries and added a two-yard touchdown run late in the game to pair with his first.

The Red Devils put the game out of reach in the second quarter with four more touchdowns, and two went to Abbott — 23-yard and 38-yard touchdown connections from Padgett. All three of Abbott’s catches were for touchdowns and he piled up 84 yards on the scoring plays.

Padgett was 7-for-9 passing for 170 yards and three touchdown tosses.

“With a young team like we have, we have a lot of kids who are about the same in their ability,” Abbott said. “We are trying to figure out who will best fit the roles in the second half of the season, and this first half of the season is giving kids a lot of opportunity to play, and they are making it hard for us to go with one guy because everyone is doing something well. It has been a great thing for us.”

Jay LaGrone had a four-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Pickle’s second score of the game put the halftime advantage at 49-6 Maplesville. LaGrone had two scores in the game after a short run in the third quarter.

Abbott added that each running back Maplesville has brings something different to the table. LaGrone serves as more of a power back while McCary and Pickle bring speed and the ability to get on the edge of defenses.

Darrin Elliot led the Red Devils defense with seven tackles.

Maplesville (1-2) will finish up its four-game homestand to open the 2023 season in its next matchup on Sept. 15 hosting Notasulga High School at 7 p.m.