The Clanton Lions Club honored the Class 1A football state champion Maplesville Red Devils during its weekly meeting on Feb. 24.

Seniors from the team were the club’s special guests and enjoyed lunch and talked about their experiences of winning the title three straight years.

Each player was awarded a certificate of recognition for their success on the football field and answered any questions that the Lions Club members had for them.

“We’ve always stressed class here at Maplesville, and these guys have that,” former Maplesville principal George Walker Jr. said.

Head coach Brent Hubbert brought up the fact that the current group of seniors was freshman on the team during the first of four straight title game appearances in 2013, a loss to Pickens County.

According to Hubbert, that loss and experience served as fuel for the success that followed over the past three seasons.

“When we sit down and talk about our goals, it’s all about the state championship,” Hubbert said.

Despite the run of state titles, each year was its own journey, especially after the Red Devils lost 17 seniors to graduation after last year.

“You’ve got to find the identity of a team every season,” Hubbert said. “I’m excited for the opportunity to do it again.”

There are plenty of memories that the players will carry with them after their high school careers, including playing at Bryant-Denny Stadium and Jordan-Hare Stadium, practicing in the school’s indoor practice facility and getting police escorts to the next scheduled event.

“They treat you like royalty when you play in the state championship game,” Hubbert said.

Maplesville was well represented by several at the meeting, such as Mayor W.C. Hayes Jr., Commissioner Joseph Parnell and Walker.

“Anywhere you go they know of Chilton County because of Maplesville football,” Parnell said. “That’s something to be proud of.”