By DREW GRANTHUM/Staff Writer

Maplesville High School was well-represented in Wednesday’s Alabama Sportswriter’s Association’s Mr. Football Awards Banquet, with two players up for awards and linebacker Tyler Armstrong taking home AHSAA Class 1A Lineman of the Year honors.

The banquet took place at the Alabama Activity Center in Montgomery, and saw 48 of the state’s top high school football players attend. Athletes in attendance were selected by the ASWA for either back/lineman of the year, or the state’s highest honor for performance on the gridiron, Mr. Football, based on their performances on the field all season.

Armstrong, a senior, posted 123 tackles on the season, along with four sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.

Armstrong said he was surprised by the selection.

“I was shocked, to be honest,” he said. “It means a lot.”

In the final voting, Armstrong garnered 48 first place votes, 10 more than runner-up Jake Mintz of Cedar Bluff.

“I couldn’t do it without my teammates,” he said.

Maplesville head coach Brent Hubbert said he felt Armstrong’s work ethic helped him earn the award.

“It was unbelievable,” he said. “Tyler’s been all-state the last two years; he’s been an unbelievable player for us. It’s well-deserved.”

Armstrong was awarded with a plaque bearing his name and a picture of him in action in the Class 1A championship game.

Red Devils’ athlete Kendarius Bradley was a nominee for the Class 1A Back of the Year Award but came up short in the final voting.
Despite not taking home the award, Bradley said he was happy to attend.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s a blessing. I never thought I’d be here.”
Bradley said he was appreciative for those close to him that held him accountable on the field.

“I thank my coaches (and) family for pushing me,” he said. “Hey, I’m here, thank you God.”

Hubbert said the opportunity to earn awards served as a teaching lesson to his players.

“It helps us in letting our younger kids know that these awards are out there for them to have a chance to get through hard work,” he said. “It’s good when they see kids make plays by working hard and receive the awards doing things the right way.”

Hubbert also said he was glad to see a return on the investment both Armstrong and Bradley made all season.

“It’s a testament to their work ethic and the way they played all season,” he said. “It’s a great accomplishment. I like to see these smiles on their faces, and I love for our kids (to) win. I know how hard they work, and I want the hard work to have a payoff in the end.”