It was another signature Maplesville victory on Friday, as the Red Devils defeated the Brantley Bulldogs 42-7 in front of the home crowd during the second round of the Class 1A playoffs.

“I feel like we’re playing our best football of the season, and it couldn’t come at a better time,” Maplesville senior Tyler Williams said.

Maplesville built a 35-7 halftime lead behind a manhandling offensive line and the elusiveness of Terrence Dunlap in the open field.

That combination proved to be quite explosive for the Red Devils on several occasions in the first half, which resulted in touchdown runs for Dunlap of 56, 58, 29, and 50 yards respectively.

Dunlap went on to finish the game with 305 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries, while Nathaniel Watson scored twice on direct snaps near the goal line.

Brantley tested the Maplesville secondary with continued shots down field and through the air.

However, the secondary communicated well and prevented demoralizing breakdowns in coverage.

“They’re probably an 80-percent pass team,” Maplesville head coach Brent Hubbert said. “Our d-line was able to get pressure at times when we needed it.”

Williams and Michael Harris intercepted passes in the game, to the frustration of Brantley’s strong-armed quarterback Jacob Free, a Vanderbilt commit.

“It was my first pick of the year and it just felt great to get it in my last playoff game at home,” Williams said. “The coaches always just put us in the right position to make a play.”

Next up for the Red Devils is a trip to the quarterfinals, where they will travel for a matchup against Sweet Water.

“There are no bad teams when you’re in the third round,” Hubbert said. “These guys have just come to work all year. That’s all we can ask of them.”