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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Maplesville High School left no doubt early in its first road game of 2023 against Calhoun High School posting a 38-0 first quarter to ease to a 60-7 win on Sept. 22.

Maplesville’s first quarter eruption was spurred by Jay Lagrone who ran for three touchdowns in the opening frame. Lagrone piled up 98 rushing yards and three scores while the Red Devils as a whole ran for 194 yards with three different players getting into the end zone.

“Any time you get a win on the road it is a big deal, no matter how pretty or how ugly because they are tough to come by,” Maplesville head coach Brad Abbott said. “Our kids were really focused last night and had an overall team victory.”

Quarterback Bradlee Padgett settled in well, going 7-for-11 for 135 yards and tossing three touchdown passes. Two of those went to Aidan Abbott, one in each half, as the wide out grabbed four catches for 44 yards. Johnathon Wilson also grabbed four catches for 93 yards and a 45-yard touchdown that opened the game’s scoring.

Another, and more hidden trait, Brad Abbott has been impressed with in recent weeks is kicker Ensign Payne’s improvement on kickoffs. Payne has begun getting more lift and power on the kickoffs, pinning offenses deep in their territory. This trickles down to the Maplesville offense as well giving them a shorter field to work with if the defense gets a quick stop.

The Red Devils led 60-0 late in the game and were on the verge of the shutout led by Darrin Elliot’s three sacks. Maplesville was out gaining Calhoun 369-68 before the long 51-yard score.

However, Calhoun ripped off a long touchdown run against the second-string defense to make it 60-7. Brad Abbott used the score as a teaching moment for the backup players to help them improve as well.

“The subs allowed the late touchdown, but sometimes that is good because they feel bad about it, and it is something that they can remember the next time they are in that position,” Brad Abbott said. “They remember how they felt leaving the field, giving up that late run, and it is going to make them better. Bad things can help improve people if you look at it in that type of manner.”

Maplesville (3-2) will be on bye next week before jumping back into AHSAA Class 1A Region 4 play traveling to Autaugaville High School on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.