Maplesville Knocks Off Fyffe 35-6 in AHSAA Kickoff Classic

MONTGOMERY – The Maplesville Red Devils kicked off their 2025 prep football season with a commanding performance, securing a 35-6 victory over the Fyffe Red Devils. The final game of the AHSAA Kickoff Classic, held at Cramton Bowl, saw Maplesville establish control from the outset and never look back.

Under the leadership of Coach Brad Abbott, Maplesville (1-0) demonstrated superiority on both sides of the ball. The offensive and defensive lines dictated the pace of the game, setting the stage for a memorable season opener. For Fyffe (0-1) and their celebrated Coach Paul Benefield, it marked a tough start to the year. The loss was a rare one for Benefield, a Hall-of-Fame coach who holds a career record of 360-59.

First Half: A Tale of Two Offenses

Maplesville wasted no time asserting its dominance. On their very first possession, the team mounted a swift 68-yard drive that took less than three minutes. Running back Jediah Works powered through the Fyffe defense for a 29-yard touchdown run, putting Maplesville on the board just three minutes into the game.

The momentum continued on their next series. Maplesville executed a grueling 13-play, 88-yard drive, culminating in a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Pearce Yeargan to slot back Colby Mitchell. This score extended the lead to 14-0 with 5:34 left in the second quarter.

While the Maplesville offense was firing on all cylinders, its defense was impenetrable. Coach Abbott’s defensive unit completely stifled Fyffe in the first half, allowing no first downs and only 13 total yards on 12 offensive plays. In stark contrast, Maplesville amassed 236 total yards, with 133 on the ground and 103 through the air. This control was reflected in the time of possession, where Maplesville held the ball for 17:23 compared to Fyffe’s 6:37.

Second Half: Maplesville Maintains Control

The second half began just as the first had ended. Maplesville’s defense forced a quick stop, and the offense went back to work. A 10-play, 69-yard drive was capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from Nehemiah McCary, pushing the lead to 21-0 with 6:29 left in the third quarter.

Fyffe showed a spark of life on the following possession. Running back Ryder Gipson broke free for a 26-yard run, moving his team into Maplesville territory. Coach Benefield then called for a pass from Maddox Doss to Hunter Lathem, which brought Fyffe to the 1-yard line. Doss punched it into the end zone on the next play, cutting the deficit to 21-6.

However, Maplesville quickly extinguished any hope of a comeback. Quarterback Pearce Yeargan connected with Davarien Clark for a crucial 39-yard pass, regaining momentum. Two plays later, McCary found the end zone again with another 5-yard run, making the score 28-6. Maplesville added a final touchdown in the fourth quarter when Yeargan found Eli Hubbert for an 11-yard scoring pass, sealing the 35-6 win.

Key Players and Record-Breaking Stats

Pearce Yeargan had an exceptional night, completing 16 of 24 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. His leadership guided the Maplesville offense to an impressive 445 total yards and 29 first downs. This first down total is the fifth-most in a single game in AHSAA history, a notable achievement for the program.

Eli Hubbert was the leading receiver with six catches for 54 yards, while Nehemiah McCary paced the ground attack with 89 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Jediah Works also contributed significantly with 72 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

For Fyffe, Ryder Gipson led the team with 43 rushing yards and was a standout on defense with 15 tackles. The team finished with 104 total yards.

On the defensive side for Maplesville, Hubbert led with seven tackles, while Cade Smith, Luke Gray, and Von Woods each contributed six stops in a comprehensive team effort. This dominating win at the AHSAA Kickoff Classic positions the Maplesville Red Devils as a team to watch in the Alabama high school football season.