By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Rebels ended their regular season 9-2 Friday night after a 40-20 loss to the Horseshoe Bend Generals.

The Generals exploded in the first quarter with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Chase Cheaney to Kendall Thomas and a 65-yard trip to the end zone by Brandon Thomas.

But the Rebels were just as explosive, as Andrew Farris answered with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Oldroyd, and Marcus Bray intercepted a General pass in the end zone.

Farris then scored on a quarterback keeper from 47 yards out to tie the game at 13 apiece.

After two turnovers in Horseshoe Bend’s favor — the latter a fumbled punt recovery — the Generals’ Brandon Thomas scored again on a 28-yard run, making the score 19-13 at the half.

Neither team put up points in the third quarter, but the fourth would be the most eventful by far.

Farris connected with Bray for a 30-yard play to put the Rebels in scoring position. After a loss of yards, Farris found Bray in the end zone from 17 yards out. The call was controversial, but it was ruled a catch and Thorsby found themselves in the lead.

It was all Horseshoe Bend from there. Corey Battle ran the ball 35 yards, and the Generals recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. This allowed Battle to take it in from the 15.

The next kickoff was déjà vu as the Generals recovered yet another Thorsby fumble, and Brandon Thomas took it all the way.

The Rebels tried one last time to reverse the momentum, but Horseshoe Bend’s Corey Pouncey intercepted a pass and nailed it down for the Generals.

After the game, Thorsby coach Billy Jackson reminded his players that next week they will enter the playoffs with home field advantage.

“I’m happy we’re getting to play next week,” Jackson said. “We’ve come a long, long way.”

Next week the Rebels face Providence Christian in the first round of the playoffs.

THORSBY — The Thorsby Rebels picked up their sixth win of the season Friday night by smashing Central-Hayneville 56-8.

Bo Hoffman was first to cross the goal line with a 15-yard run. Then, Andrew Farris made it look easy with a 40-yard touchdown run and a short pass to Nathan Oldroyd for 6 more points.

Trent McClain recovered a fumble and ran back more than 30-yards to make the score 28-0 by the end of the first.

In the second quarter, it was Oldroyd’s turn to pass the ball, and he connected with B.B. Evans for a 25-yard touchdown play.

A 20-yard run by Hoffman to the 1-yard line allowed Dustin Wilson to power his way into the end zone for another touchdown.

With 1:47 remaining in the half, Central-Hayneville’s pass-heavy offense came through with a 60-yard reception by Matthew Dillon. Then Ashton Ward tacked on a 2-point conversion for the Lions.

Central came close to scoring again before halftime, but despite a pass interference call against the Rebels, Thorsby stood their ground.

The Rebels led 41-8 at halftime, and the third and fourth quarters were shortened to 6 minutes each.

Touchdowns in the third quarter came courtesy of Farris, who connected with Marcus Bray for 39 yards, and Hoffman with a 4-yard dash across the goal line. After Farris and Bray’s touchdown, C.J. Melendy caught a 2-point conversion pass.

Later, Jacob Hamilton intercepted for Thorsby, but no one else would score.

“We came out and took care of business tonight,” Thorsby coach Billy Jackson said. “We got a bunch of young kids playing experience, which is never bad.”

The Rebels (6-1) face Vincent next week for Thorsby’s homecoming game.

By Scott Mims

You could say Thorsby defied the odds Friday night to beat the Francis Marion Rams 37-14 to go 2-0.
The victory was sweet because the Rebels have won as many games as they won all year in 2009 — and they won Friday night with two main starters on the sidelines, Marcus Bray and Tanner Bush.
“It feels good to be 2-0, doesn’t it?” coach Billy Jackson asked the team after the game. They answered, “Yes sir.”
The first half was hard fought on both sides. Andrew Farris connected with C.J. Melendy for a 38-yard touchdown in the first, but the Rams’ LaDarius Tabb returned the ensuing kickoff for a 78-yard sprint to the end zone. Demetre Williams tacked on 2 extra points.
Thorsby gave up a fumble on its next drive but forced the Rams to punt. Then it was Farris charging over the goal line for a short TD.
In the second quarter, the rescue squad was called out to check on injured Frances Marion player Radge Turner. He got back on his feet, but a personal foul was called against Thorsby.
Toriance Herring scored a 25-yard touchdown with 6:44 left in the half, putting the Rams up 14-12.
Tabb recovered a Thorsby fumble but the Rebels’ Bo Hoffman had a sack in the backfield. Then Trent McClain intercepted and went on to score a 41-yard touchdown.
Farris took part in Thorsby’s last three touchdowns, passing to Stephen Mims and Nathan Oldroyd for 38 and 12 yards, respectively, and running one himself from 24 yards out.
In his post-game speech, coach Billy Jackson acknowledged that the Rams (0-2) were bigger and faster than the Rebels position for position, but the Rebels played with a lot of heart and wouldn’t quit.
“They rose to the occasion tonight,” Jackson said. “We are by far not where we want to be, but we’re trying to make strides.”