Maplesville's John Andrews passes down field against Bulldogs

Referee discusses option with Corley Latham

November 24, 2006 The Brantley Bulldogs saw their dreams of a repeat trip to Birmingham come to a heart breaking end when the Maplesville Red Devils survived a hard fought 25-14 victory at Maplesville Friday night. The game was billed as an even match, and it was as both teams pulled out all gimmicks in trying to gain the win. Brantley scored first with 1:38 in the first period on a beautiful 89 yard run by James Pittman. Marquis Owens kicked his first of two extra points for a 7-0 Brantley lead. Maplesville fought back, and after a time consuming 65 yard drive, Brad Pike punched it in from the one yard line and the kick was good by Nick Andrews to tie the score at 7-7. Then with only 1:49 left on the clock, Maplesville pulled off the play of the game when John Andrews threw a behind the line of scrimmage pass to Marcus Wilson who proceeded to pass deep downfield to Nick Andrews for a 68 yard scoring bomb. The point was blocked and Brantley trailed 13-7 at halftime. Brantley fought back in the second half when Pittman once again broke it wide open and raced 59 yards for the go ahead touchdown. Owens again booted the point and Brantley had regained the lead at 14-13 with 3:55 on the clock in the third period. At this point it turned into a slug fest with some of the hardest hitting of the year between two outstanding Class 1A football traditions. Brantley had penalties destroy their hopes with two touchdowns called back for holding; however, Maplesville had one call back for the same infraction. It was frustrating for the Dogs with Pittman and Anthony Gulley scoring on long runs only to have the scores denied with untimely penalties. With time becoming a factor, Maplesville took possession of the ball on their own 20 yard line with 5 minutes to go in the game. They knew this was their last opportunity to get the win. The Devils had trailed the Brantley Bulldogs by a 14-13 score from midway of the third period, and now time was fading fast in what was one of the best high school football games witnessed in a long time by a crowd estimated at six thousand screaming fans. Repeatedly John Andrews, Maplesville's senior quarterback, made play after play to keep the drive alive, and then when the Devils got close to the endzone they handed the chores over to Brad Pike, a big powerful and determined running back. Pike bulled his way in from the one yard line for what was really the winning score with only 32 seconds left on the clock to give his team a 19-14 lead and the victory. Brantley, fighting desperately to score, had a pass picked off and returned for a Devils touchdown with 14.8 seconds to seal the deal at 25-14. The loss was heart breaking due to tremendous winning tradition the Bulldogs have. The seniors on this team in their 4 years of playing varsity football have complied an amazing 50 wins against 5 losses. Congratulations to the Maplesville Red Devils; and to the Brantley Bulldogs, thanks for providing all your fans an exciting year and another opportunity to have pride in our football program! Back to BHS photos click here