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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Maplesville High School took a battle of unbeatens over Autauga Academy 21-20 to stay atop the Class 1A Region 4 standings on Sept. 20. It was the first meeting all time between the two schools with Autauga’s first year in AHSAA previously in the AISA (Alabama Independent School Association), and it did not disappoint.

“It was a great football game with two great teams out here, and the score showed it was two even teams,” Maplesville head coach Brad Abbott said. “Both teams had some opportunities to fight through some adversity, and we did not quit and they did not quit. It was just a great football game, and our kids really grew up.”

Trailing 12-7 at halftime, Maplesville came out and scored on its first possession in unique fashion as Aidan Abbott fumbled a pass from Pearce Yeargan after turning up field. Davarian Clark was in the right place at the right time as the ball bounced right into his arms to finish out the touchdown run, and put the Red Devils on top 14-12. Yeargan was 9-for-25 passing for 115 yards and added 17 yards on eight carries and a what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown.

Ethan Rencher recovered the third fumble of the game for Maplesville on the ensuing kickoff, but the offense could not turn the good field position into points. Autauga took the lead back with a touchdown run to go back on top 20-14 where it stood after three quarters.

Maplesville’s offense hit a stride and drove right down the field to start the final period as Yeargan took it in from 10 yards out to reclaim the lead by one at 21-20. After punts were traded, Autauga got the ball back with 4 minutes left. They converted two fourth downs to make it into Maplesville territory at the 40-yard line. Autauga went to the air, and Michael Gee tracked the quarterback down from behind for a strip sack, and Aidan Abbott recovered the fourth fumble of the night for the defense.

Luke Gray led the defense with eight tackles, followed by Ty Bailey with five. Nehemiah McCary made his season debut for the Red Devils playing just on the defensive side of the ball, and did so with two sacks. Dee Elliott matched that total, and Gee’s one sack that put the game away.

“That defense, they gutted it out,” Brad Abbott said. “The defensive line played good the whole game, and our back side of the defense was struggling early. But coach (Undra) Rush made some adjustments at halftime, and they came out and played great football. Coach (Justin) Little made some good adjustments with some blocking we were not doing correctly, and the offense started moving the ball for us. It was just a great win for our program.”

A cagey first half saw just a handful of scores between the teams. Maplesville started fast as Gee scooped up a fumble to halt the opening drive for Autauga Academy. The offense converted the turnover into points with Roman Hall opening the scoring from five yards out to put the Red Devils up 7-0. Hall ran for a team high 70 yards on 23 carries.

Autauga Academy responded quickly with a quick touchdown drive, but did not convert the two-point conversion to trail 7-6. They eventually took the lead as their defense forced Maplesville to punt the rest of the first half, and they got in for their second rushing touchdown, but another failed two-point try left it at 12-7. Maplesville’s defense rose to the occasion at the end of the half as Autauga was threatening inside the red zone, but a fumble was recovered by Aidan Abbott to end the scoring chance and the first half.

Maplesville (4-0) will travel to Holtville High School on Sept 27 for its next game in an out-of-region matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.