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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Maplesville High School got the ball back, down 20-14, with 5:57 left in their second-round playoff game against Sweet Water High School on Nov. 15, and 74 yards stood between them and a win. A win that would match their second-round win over Sweet Water in last year’s state playoffs 28-21.

What was called “the biggest drive here in a long time,” converted three third downs to reach the Sweet Water 35-yard line with 1:32 left. Two quick strikes from quarterback Pearce Yeargan to Aidan Abbott picked up two first downs and set the Red Devils’ offense up with first and goal from the Sweet Water 10-yard line.

Maplesville was forced to another third down, this time not converting on a quick pass in the end zone from the five-yard line. With 38 seconds left, offensive coordinator Justin Little leaned on his workhorse running back Nehemiah McCary on fourth down, and he powered into the end zone to tie the game. Brennan Harrison stepped up to take the biggest extra point of his career, and he split the uprights to give Maplesville the 21-20 lead.

McCary rushed for 152 yards on 34 carries and all three touchdowns for the Red Devils to propel them to the third round for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

“When you have a special season going, those are the type of things that happen,” Maplesville head coach Brad Abbott said. “That was one of the biggest drives here in a long time with all that was riding on it, and that offense did a great job at managing the time, doing what was asked of them and a great call on the touchdown to run the ball.”

Sweet Water was able to work their way down to the Maplesville 39-yard line with 15 seconds left, but Dee Elliott slashed in for the sack to force the visitors into a hail-mary situation, and the pass fell incomplete.

Maplesville’s defense held Sweet Water to 181 total yards and forced three fumbles, and Luke Gray led the defense with six tackles, followed by Von Woods with five tackles and a sack.

“It was just a great game, and our defense refused to stop and got the big stop (to set up the winning drive),” Abbott said. “Just so many big plays, and I am just glad our kids were able to get out of here with this win, and hopefully this will propel them to do even better things.”

Maplesville and Sweet Water are no strangers when it comes to meeting in the playoffs having met in the state playoffs 11 times since 2002, and each year since 2016 aside from 2020 and 2022. Maplesville brings the series to 6-5 between the schools in the playoffs in Sweet Water’s favor, but Maplesville now lead in the all-time series 8-7.

It was a knock-down, drag-out affair between the two playoff rivals in the first half as the teams traded touchdowns and turnovers. Sweet Water got the first crack at it and avoided an early exit off the field recovering their own fumble. They were not as fortunate on the second one as Colby Mitchell recovered the fumble to give the Red Devils good field position near midfield. Sweet Water got their own fumble recovery, but this one was returned for a touchdown to put the Bulldogs on top 6-0 after the missed extra point at the midway point of the first quarter.

Maplesville responded right away, marching down the field quickly as McCary ripped off an18-yard touchdown run to take the lead 7-6 after Harrison’s extra point.

The game went into the second frame still 7-6, and Sweet Water had a second drive derailed due to a fumble, this one recovered by Elliott. The Red Devils’ offense was able to get into the Sweet Water red zone after Yeargan found Mitchell on a fourth down conversion to set up first and goal. Yeargan took in a touchdown run a few plays later, but the score was taken away due to a hold and Sweet Water was able to force the turnover on downs. The half ended with more stout defense from both sides to send the game into the break still at 7-6.

Yeargan was 15-for-22 passing for 113 yards, and added 20 yards on seven carries on the ground.

After two home games to start the playoffs, Maplesville will have to hit the road for the third round no matter their opponent — a task the team has not had to do in a bit, but one Abbott is confident they will respond to.

“That is just the playoffs — you are going to have to make a long road trip if you are going to get to Birmingham, and this will be ours,” Abbott said. “We are happy to do it, not going to complain about it and we are going to prepare. We have not traveled in a long time and have been home for quite a while now, but I think our kids are mature enough that that will not affect them.”

Maplesville (10-2) will travel to either Millry High School or McKenzie High School on Nov. 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.