Nostalgia is in the air in Maplesville. The high school football program will recognize alumni players dating back to 1954 at all home games this fall.

The Maplesville Athletic Club, athletic director and varsity head coach Brent Hubbert and his coaching staff will organize reunions for players spanning six decades starting Sept. 10 in the Red Devils’ game versus Holy Spirit Catholic High School.

The first game will recognize players who attended MHS between 1954-69. Subsequent games will see players from each following decade.

The alumni will be honored at a pregame tailgate party at the Red Devil field house and also recognized before each game.

Hubbert said last year’s effort to ask former MHS players to give the team pregame speeches sparked such a positive reception from the kids, he and other athletic officials wanted to take such sentiments to the next level.

“I just thought it would be something need to do,” Hubbert said. “I guess I’m a nostalgic person like that. “This program means a lot to me, all of the sports. I’ve seen it built first-hand. The history of the program is very important.”

Hubbert is a dedicated student of MHS’s athletic history and wants to share that knowledge with his current players who may not be as aware of the schools rich tradition.

Letting alumni speak to today’s players worked especially well, Hubbert said, because they were mostly family members of the boys minutes away from hitting the field.

“They told us what they learned playing football,” Hubbert said. “They also told the kids the things they learned just being a part of Maplesville athletics and what that holds.”

Hubbert hopes some members of the undefeated 1956 team will attend the first home game.

“Those people are still here in Maplesville,” he said. “We want the kids to be aware of that, and we hope they think it’s pretty cool. They can see and meet some of those guys.”

The alums will get another chance to speak to players before games, which Hubbert said the kids will embrace once again. They’re aware of this year’s scheduled guests and are looking forward to their words of value as they prepare to play.

Tents will be set up in the end zone prior to games to allow tailgating and interaction between the former teammates and coaches. Hubbert is hoping for a high turnout of those who can make the trip to the games if they don’t already live in Maplesville.

“We’d love to have 20 or 40 people there each Friday night talking about Maplesville tradition or just catching up,” he said.

MHS alumni who wish to be a part of the occasion should contact Hubbert at (334) 366-2649.