Ragland’s Purple Devils host Maplesville and Westbrook for a pre-season jamboree game scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.

The Purple Devils open their regular season by hosting Gaston on August 29, but by then the team will have measured themselves against one of the top teams in Class 1A, according to head coach Jonathan Nix.

“If you read any of the polls, Maplesville is hands down the team most people are predicting to win it.  They lost last year in the finals, so it will be an exciting challenge for our guys to go up against them right off the start.

“I know (Maplesville’s) staff is telling their kids the same thing I’m telling mine:  Let’s sharpen up and meet back up in 15 weeks.”

With six seniors on this year’s team, the Purple Devils will vie for the top spot in Class 1A’s Region 5 against Victory Christian, Appalachain, Donoho, Shades Mountain Christian, Talladega County Central, Wadley, and Winterboro.

“Half of our region went up to 2A, which lets you know how tough a region it was,” Nix said.  “Realignment brought some old blook back into the region, particularly with Wadley, Donoho, and Winterboro.  They’re