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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

While Maplesville High School was punching their ticket to the third round of the Class 1A State Football Playoffs, head coach Brad Abbott was making history himself by notching his 100th career win with the school’s 21-20 win over Sweet Water High School on Nov. 15.

“It is just an accumulation of everything, and there are so many thoughts that go through your head about people that made it happen,” Abbott said following the game.

Abbott has a unique story to his coaching journey, and it starts with him never striving to be a head high school football coach. Abbott never interviewed for a head coach job, and he was approached by both administrations at Jemison and Maplesville High Schools to take the jobs when they came open.

Now, 100 wins later, God seems to have led Abbott into the right direction.

“I never aspired to be a head football coach … They wanted me to take it, and even though I said no, they continued to stay on me about it,” Abbott said. “God has a way of breaking you down … I never thought I would be standing here celebrating a 100th win, but God had other things in store, and I am going to keep riding it out until he says I am done.”

Abbott’s coaching career started in 2004 at Jemison High School, taking over the program from future Alabama Sports Hall of Fame coach Brent Hubbert. Abbott coached the Panthers for seven seasons and compiled a 45-33 record at the school. He took Jemison to the Class 4A State Football Playoffs each season, and put together a 39-10 region record during his tenure from 2004-2010.

Abbott was not a head coach from 2011-2018 before he was approached to take over for Hubbert again, this time at Maplesville. Currently in his sixth season at the Class 1A powerhouse, he has put together a 55-19 record including a 37-2 region record. The Red Devils have made the state playoffs and won their first-round game each season with Abbott in charge, and won multiple playoff games in four of the six seasons.

Overall, Abbott holds a 100-52 record and is 76-12 in region matchups. The 100th career win was celebrated on the field following the Nov. 15 game with Abbott receiving posters and well-earned congratulations from the Maplesville fans and student body.