By Stephen Dawkins

THORSBY – What has been a special season for Thorsby didn’t end that way.
The Rebels on Oct. 30 concluded a year that saw them snap a 17-game losing streak, defeat county rival Isabella and play inspired football, except for maybe Friday’s game, a 48-0 loss to Winterboro.
The outcome was even more disappointing considering it was senior night, and Thorsby’s 11 football seniors—along with other senior athletes—were recognized at halftime.
The ceremony may have inspired the hosts a bit, as they played much better in the second half, but it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome a miserable first half.
Winterboro (7-3, 6-1 Class 1A, Region 4) showed off its excess of runners early. Six different Bulldogs carried the football in the first 4 minutes of the game.
Troy Garrett (twice), Courtney Evans (twice) and Josh Taylor all ran for touchdowns in the first half.
Thorsby (2-8, 2-5 Class 2A, Region 4), meanwhile, could get nothing going offensively. The Rebels were 0-for-5 on third-down conversion attempts and could manage only two first downs in the first half.
The Rebels did much better after the break, moving the chains eight times.
Thorsby drove to the Winterboro 15-yard line at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but backup quarterback Nathan Oldroyd was intercepted by Vincent in the end zone.
Oldroyd played most of the second half after starter Andrew Farris went down with a knee injury.
Oldroyd also led the Rebels deep into Winterboro territory late in the game but was sacked at the 10-yard line as time expired.
Winterboro in the second half scored on a 45-yard run by Garrett and a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown by Vincent.
Unofficially, Winterboro totaled 299 yards, 181 on the ground.
Dillin Simmons was Thorsby’s leading rusher with 47 yards on nine carries.
Oldroyd completed four passes in 10 attempts for 30 yards.