Maplesville punched its ticket to the third round with a 36-0 victory at home against Talladega County Central on Nov. 17.

The Red Devils started off quick, as Ryan Morrow took the opening kickoff down into the red zone and capitalized shortly after with a 16-yard touchdown run.

However, several drives stalled for the Maplesville offense in the first half and the Red Devils carried a 14-0 lead into the half.

Morrow made the big play once again early in the second half with a second touchdown of the game on a physical run in which he broke tackles and dragged a defender across the goal line to put Maplesville up 22-0.

Maplesville took its share of deep shots in the game and began connecting on those chances during the third quarter.

According to Maplesville head coach Brent Hubbert, the Red Devils have gotten back to opening up the passing game in recent weeks, after a stretch in the later part of the season where the play calling began to get away from it due to lopsided scores.

Brent Schoener hit fellow senior Daryl Odom on a slant pass that he caught in stride just outside the red zone and shook off a defender en route to a score.

Schoener hooked up with Nathaniel Watson, who got behind the coverage for another passing touchdown on the first play of the final quarter. It proved to be the final play of the game for much of the starting offense.

Although it took a while for the offense to get going, the defense looked in control from the start.

Talladega County Central was able to pick up some first downs and run the clock in the first quarter, but as the game wore on Maplesville’s defense continued to tighten and eliminate the successful plays that had been there before.

Chaz Morris finished with three turnovers in the game, including a pair of fumbles and an interception at the end that made the shutout official.

“I thought we moved the ball in the first half, but we just didn’t cash in,” Hubbert said.

Next up for Maplesville is a third round matchup on the road against Sweet Water, a familiar sight for the Red Devils in the postseason, on Nov. 24.