The Maplesville varsity football team faces Wadley in a crucial neutral-site playoff game today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 AHSAA Football Playoffs for Class 1A. Both teams are eager to advance, making this an exciting and high-stakes contest as they battle for a spot in the next round.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Alabama State Football Championship
Who: Wadley vs Maplesville
When: Today, December 05, 2024
Bracket: AHSAA Super 7 Class 1A Championship
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch Here

Game Preview: Wadley vs. Maplesville

The 2024 AHSAA Class 1A football playoffs bring together two powerhouse teams, Wadley and Maplesville, in what promises to be an exciting and high-stakes neutral-site showdown. Both teams have had impressive seasons, with undefeated records and explosive offenses, making this game one of the most anticipated in the 1A playoffs.

Wadley: An Unstoppable Force

Wadley enters this playoff game with an undefeated 12-0 record, boasting a perfect 1.000 win percentage. Ranked No. 82 nationally and No. 1 in Class 1A, the team has been dominant on both offense and defense, outscoring their opponents 666 to 195. Wadley’s offense has been particularly potent, averaging 55.5 points per game, with their first-quarter production standing out at an impressive 28.5 points. Their strong start sets the tone, and they’ve continued to build on that lead, averaging 13.5 points in the second quarter, 10.0 in the third, and 8.0 in the fourth.

Wadley’s success has been driven by their explosive start to games, giving them a significant advantage over many of their opponents. Their ability to execute early and often will be a critical factor as they look to carry their undefeated season forward.

Maplesville: A Strong Contender with Impressive Depth

Maplesville enters the game with a solid 12-2 record and an .857 win percentage, earning them a second-place ranking in Class 1A. With a perfect 7-0 regional record and an impressive 3-0 record in neutral-site games, Maplesville has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. They’ve scored 507 points this season while allowing 212, averaging 36.2 points per game.

Maplesville’s offense starts strong but slightly less explosively than Wadley’s, with 12.2 points in the first quarter. Their second-quarter output drops to 8.2, but they remain consistent with 10.5 points in the third and 7.1 in the fourth. Despite being a step behind Wadley in terms of scoring averages, Maplesville has been a balanced and resilient team all season long. They will need to find ways to keep pace with Wadley’s high-powered offense and capitalize on their opportunities throughout the game.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

Wadley’s offense, which averages 55.5 points per game, has been explosive, particularly in the first quarter, where they score 28.5 points on average. In comparison, Maplesville’s offensive numbers are solid but not quite at the same level, averaging 36.2 points per game. While Wadley’s early-game dominance is a significant factor in their success, Maplesville will need to focus on keeping the game close early to avoid falling behind too quickly.

Defensively, both teams have been strong, but Wadley’s ability to dominate in the first half gives them an edge. Maplesville will need to improve their scoring consistency and defense if they are to contain Wadley’s high-scoring offense and keep themselves in the game.

What to Expect

This playoff matchup is a battle of contrasting styles: Wadley’s high-flying offense against Maplesville’s balanced and gritty play. Wadley will look to maintain their high-scoring pace and build a commanding lead early in the game, while Maplesville will focus on staying competitive and capitalizing on any weaknesses in Wadley’s defense.

Given both teams’ remarkable records and their success in neutral-site games, fans can expect a hard-fought, intense contest. The key to victory for Maplesville will be finding a way to slow down Wadley’s potent offense and keeping the game within reach. For Wadley, their task will be to continue executing their game plan and using their fast start to seize control early.

As the season enters its final stretch, the matchup between Wadley and Maplesville is sure to generate excitement. Both teams have shown dominance throughout the season, with undefeated records and strong performances on both sides of the ball. Here’s a closer look at how these two teams stack up.

Offensive Breakdown:

• Rushing Yards: Wadley has been particularly strong on the ground, with no specific stat provided for their rushing yards per game. However, Maplesville averages 182.5 rushing yards per game, highlighting their strong ground game. This is an area where both teams are likely to focus their efforts, but Wadley’s ground attack could provide a slight edge based on their overall effectiveness.
• Passing Yards: Wadley has struggled in the passing game, but Maplesville averages 98.1 passing yards per game, a modest total that suggests they are a primarily run-focused team. Wadley will need to step up its defense against the run to keep Maplesville from controlling the clock and game tempo.
• Receiving Yards: Wadley averages 95.1 receiving yards per game, which is fairly close to Maplesville’s average of 104.4 total yards from passing. Aidan Abbott leads Wadley in receiving, with 36.0 yards per game, but Maplesville’s passing attack has been more efficient as a whole. Both teams have solid receiving corps but tend to rely more on their rushing offenses.
• Total Yards: Wadley has an overall average of 280.6 total yards per game, while Maplesville’s balanced offense helps them accumulate 280.6 yards as well, with a slight advantage in passing. This indicates that both teams are somewhat evenly matched in terms of offensive production.
• Scoring: Wadley averages 26.3 points per game, while Maplesville scores slightly less. This suggests that Wadley may have a slightly higher-scoring offense, which could prove critical in a high-stakes matchup where every point counts.

Defensive Breakdown:

• Tackles: Maplesville has been more active on defense, averaging 36.8 tackles per game. Wadley, on the other hand, averages 5.1 tackles per game per individual player, which may indicate a defense that is solid but not as aggressive as Maplesville’s. Maplesville’s superior tackle rate suggests they may be more effective at getting to the ball carrier.
• Sacks: Wadley has a slight advantage in sacks, averaging 1.6 per game, compared to Maplesville’s 0.7. While both teams have a decent pass rush, Wadley’s ability to apply pressure on the quarterback could be a decisive factor in slowing down Maplesville’s passing game.

Individual Players to Watch:

• Rushing Leaders: Wadley’s Roman Hall is their primary rushing threat, averaging an impressive 113.5 yards per game. This gives Wadley a dangerous offensive weapon on the ground. Meanwhile, Maplesville will look to control the game with their rushing attack, which has been averaging 182.5 yards per game as a team.
• Passing Leaders: Pearce Yeargan leads Wadley with 104.4 passing yards per game, while Maplesville’s passing game is led by Yeargan himself, with a total of 127.0 yards per game. While both teams lean heavily on their ground games, Yeargan’s ability to move the ball through the air will be crucial in converting third downs and sustaining drives.
• Receiving Leaders: Wadley’s Aidan Abbott leads his team in receiving yards with 36.0 per game, while Maplesville’s attack is balanced but relies more on its ground game.
• Defensive Leaders: Wadley’s Luke Gray is their leader in tackles with 5.1 per game, but Maplesville’s Von Woods has a solid defensive presence, leading the team in sacks with 0.7 per game.

Record and Performance Analysis:

• Overall Record: Wadley enters the game undefeated with a perfect 12-0 record, while Maplesville has a strong 12-2 record. Both teams have been dominant in their respective leagues and non-league matchups, but Wadley’s unbeaten record gives them a psychological advantage heading into this contest.
• League Play: Both teams have been flawless in league play, with Wadley boasting a 5-0 record and Maplesville an impressive 7-0 mark. Their dominance in league games speaks to their ability to perform at a high level in crucial matchups.
• Head-to-Head: Both teams are yet to face each other, which means their head-to-head meeting will carry significant weight. With both teams having strong resumes and impressive performances, the outcome of this game could be key in determining the top team in the region.

Conclusion:

This showdown between Wadley and Maplesville promises to be a tightly contested battle between two undefeated teams. Wadley’s rushing attack and overall offensive efficiency could give them a slight edge, but Maplesville’s aggressive defense and balanced offensive approach make them a dangerous opponent. The game will likely come down to which team can control the clock and execute under pressure. Expect an intense matchup with plenty of playoff implications on the line.