Big plays propel Patriots over Red Devils

September 15, 2018 Michael Clements AHSAA, Alabama, football, Linden, Linden High School, Maplesville High School, Patriots, prep football, red devils

9-14-18 — Linden, Ala. — Linden’s Kevin Green reaches up to catch a pass from Graderius Brown. The catch would go for a touchdown during the Patriots’ win over Maplesville.

Linden, Ala. — The Linden Patriots used four 50+ yard scoring plays en route to defeating the visiting Maplesville Red Devils by a score of 38-27. Long distance scoring plays were part of the game for both teams. Linden scored on plays of 60, 65, 68 and 95 yards, while Maplesville had touchdowns of 58 and 90 yards.

The Patriots won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Naturally, the Red Devils wanted the ball to start the game. Seventeen seconds after the opening kickoff, the Red Devils crossed the goal line with a 90-yard kickoff return. The PAT was good and Maplesville had a 7-0 lead with 11:43 to go in the first quarter.

A little over three minutes into the Patriots’ first possession, Graderius Brown hit Kevin Green across the middle for a 30-yard touchdown. The PAT evened the score at 7-7 with 8:37 to go in the first quarter.

With 6:12 to go in the first, the Brown to Green connection would click again. This time, the result was a 65-yard catch and run. The 2-point conversion failed and the Patriots claimed a 13-7 lead over the Red Devils.

Later in the first, the Red Devils would cash in on a 4th-and-goal from the 10-yard line with a touchdown pass. The PAT was successful and Maplesville reclaimed the lead at 14-13.

9-14-18 — Linden, Ala. — Linden’s Graderius Brown turns upfield on the front end of a 95-yard kickoff return for touchdown during the Patriots’ win over the Maplesville Red Devils.

On the ensuing kickoff, the ball got by Brown who eventually chased the ball down at the 5-yard line. The fleet footed Brown weaved his way through traffic and didn’t let up until he reached the end zone 95 yards later. Another 2-point try was unsuccessful and, with 4:01 to go in the first quarter, the Patriots were back on top 19-14. The first quarter would end with that score.

With a little less than two minutes gone in the second quarter, Maplesville would retake the lead with a 9-yard touchdown pass on a 4th-and-goal play. After tacking on the PAT, the Red Devils took the lead back at 21-19 with 10:19 to go in the second quarter.

On Linden’s next possession, Brown connected with Jacob Richardson for a 68-yard catch and run with 8:44 to go in the first half. Another 2-point conversion eluded the Patriots but they had the lead again at 25-21. Douglas Johnson would recover a Maplesville fumble on the Red Devils’ next possession. However, Linden would fumble away a punt return but hold Maplesville on a fourth down attempt to close out the first half.

9-14-18 — Linden, Ala. — Linden’s Jacob Richardson outruns a defender en route to a 68-yard catch and run touchdown during the Patriots’ win over the Maplesville Red Devils.

With 6:26 to go in the third quarter, Linden’s Brown returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point attempt again failed, giving the Patriots a 31-21 lead over the Red Devils. As the horn sounded to end the third quarter, the Patriots’ Green would pick off a Red Devil pass.

With 4:55 to go in the fourth quarter, Linden’s Douglas Johnson would cross the goal line on the shortest scoring play of the night. The 2-yard plunge and successful PAT stretched the Patriot lead to 38-21.

Not ready to throw in the towel, the Red Devils scored again on a 58-yard run with 3:12 to go in the game. Maplesville missed the PAT but narrowed the Patriot lead to 38-27. The Red Devils would get another possession before the end of the game, but that was halted when Green intercepted a Red Devil pass and ran out the clock.

Linden (3-0) will host Isabella (4-0) next Thursday (9/20/18).

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