ScoutSouth.com: Florala at Maplesville

For a team small enough to fall into 1A, Maplesville High School is not short on talent. With several college recruits and a 10-0 record, Maplesville is ranked No. 1 in its division as they host Florala High School Friday night.

Florala (9-2) defeated A.L. Johnson last weekend 32-14 in a close, physical game. A game that was tied 8-8 at the half caused Florala to play physical and aggressive coming out of the field house in the third quarter. From there, they took control of the football game, a game that Florala head coach Arlton Hudson said was the best game his defense has played all year.

Maplesville had no trouble last weekend with Fruitdale High School, and they trampled over them to take a 73-21 win. Thirteen of Maplesville’s players had a hand in scoring in the game.

Both teams run a spread offense and consider their offensive play as their biggest strength in their game.

“We’ve got three good receivers, a good quarterback and a good running back,” added Hudson.

Florala’s quarterback, T.J. Fleming, has thrown for 3,001 yards this year, 29 touchdowns and still managed to hand the ball off to running back Reggie Gundrum enough for him to gain over 1,000 yards rushing. Wide receivers Danny Bise and Calvin Mulkey have both totaled over 1,000 receiving yards this season as well.

Maplesville head coach Brent Hubbert credits their undefeated season so far to his 14 seniors who got a taste of that victory last year when they went 13-1, leaving them hungry for the state title this year.

While Hudson says he hasn’t uncovered a weakness in this Maplesville team, Hubbert is well aware of Florala’s well-balanced team.

“They split up their running and passing so well that it causes confusion for the defense. It’s hard to read which player to take away,” Hubbert said.

Hudson also hopes his team’s leadership will help them against Maplesville. With 13 seniors, all starters, on his team of 22, their experience on the field should make them a much more difficult matchup than many Maplesville has faced this season.

“[Maplesville is] a great football team,” said Hudson. “It’s going to take our best football game to be able to play with them, but I think we can play with them if we go out and play they type of game we’re capable of playing. … It’s a great challenge, but also a great opportunity.”

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