Class 2A, Region 4

Coach Daryl Davis (10-20 in three seasons at Thorsby)

Last year 2-8 regular season, 2-5 region

Key losses RB Tynell Morrow, FB James Sharer, OL Blake Jackson, S Cameron Ellison

Schedule

8/29 at Verbena

9/5 American Christian*

9/12 at Pickens Co.*

9/19 Fultondale*

9/26 Horseshoe Bend

10/3 at Vincent*

10/10 at Shades Mtn.*

10/17 Isabella*

10/24 Hale Co.*

10/31 at Winterboro

* region game

Key game Hale Co. Not that the Rebels aren’t trying to win this year, but with a lot of sophomores and freshmen, the team has a chance next year and in 2010 to compete for a playoff spot. A win in the last region game of the year would give Thorsby a lot of confidence going forward. And the Rebels have a chance to go on quite a streak at the end of the year with the last six games being winnable.

Roster

1-Eddie Hubbard-Fr.

1-Brantley Maddox-8th

2-Shane Carr-Sr.

2-Tyler Rutherford-8th

3-Kevin Brasher-Jr.

3-Packer Brayn-8th

4-Nathan Oldroyd-8th

8-C.J. Melendy-8th

8-Dustin Wilson-So.

10-Andrew Farris-So.

11-Marcus Bray-So.

12-Scott Payton-8th

15-Nolan Hayes-8th

22-Kalup Nunn-So.

22-Adam Phillips-Fr.

23-Justin Carlee-So.

23-Trey Cleckler-8th

24-David Roland-Jr.

25-Bradley Evans-8th

27-Dillian Simmons-Jr.

30-Trent McClain-So.

30-Hunter Nicholas-8th

32-Austin Lovette-8th

33-Jacob Hamilton

34-Nelson Guy-8th

42-Drake Hayes-Jr.

50-Trent Ellison-Jr.

50-Dalton Turner-8th

51-Austin Padgett-8th

52-Jesse Hunt-8th

53-Zack Smith-8th

53-Josh Whitman-Jr.

54-Eric Camarillo-So.

54-Justin Gentry

55-Shane Payton-Fr.

56-Austin Pickett-8th

57-Mason Miller-Jr.

58-Robert Ingram-Jr.

58-Sean Tillrry-Fr.

61-Ty Smith-Sr.

63-Dusty Hayes-Sr.

65-Zack More-Fr.

65-Jay Norwood-7th

67-Josh Smith-Jr.

72-Lance Price-Jr.

75-Jonathan Spivey-Fr.

80-Hunter Rhodes-8th

82-Jonah Peters-So.

88-Zack Hamm-Sr.

88-Cody Scott-7th

Key player Eddie Hubbard, running back. Someone has to take the pressure off first-year quarterback Andrew Farris and make up for the production Thorsby got from departed Tynell Morrow. Hubbard can be that someone.

Thorsby last year had a difficult time as a young team decimated by injuries. The Rebels will be young again, but coach Daryl Davis hopes they can at least avoid the injuries.

Thorsby should be improved in 2008 – if for no other reason than because the players that suffered the bumps and bruises that come with a 2-8 season are now a year older, a year stronger and a year more experienced. The team’s losses to graduation were minimal last year (only six 2007 seniors are missing) and will be even less this year (the squad features only four seniors).

The Rebels also can find optimism in the presence of some players that didn’t play most or all of 2007 but are now primed to step in as major contributors: Juniors Kevin Brasher, Evan Bryan, Drake Hayes and Josh Whitman; sophomore Andrew Farris; and freshman Eddie Hubbard all are slated to start in what could be a year of progress for Thorsby.

Quarterbacks

Farris will start here. Davis said he has been impressed with the sophomore’s arm strength and play in practice but cautions that Friday nights are always more difficult, especially for younger players.

Running backs

Two of the team’s most talented players will line up in

the offensive backfield in tailback Hubbard and fullback Kalup Nunn. Demonstrating the youth on the team,

Hubbard is a freshman, and Nunn is a sophomore.

Receivers

Hayes has been a pleasant surprise for the Thorsby

coaching staff at the Y position. Bryan will contribute once he returns from a knee injury. Junior Dillian

Simmons and sophomore Marcus Bray were regular contributors last year that will look to catch more passes with Farris under center.

Offensive line

This group should stabilize the offense. Seniors Dusty Hayes (right guard) and Ty Smith (right tackle) are the team’s emotional leaders.

Juniors Josh Whitman and Lance Price will man the left guard and left tackle positions, respectively, and sopho-

more center Eric Camarillo might be the best of the bunch.

Defensive line

The defensive front is much

less settled than its offensive counterpart. Davis said he might turn to freshmen to man the defensive tackle positions. It’s almost

certain, though, that Hayes and Smith will play significant roles at the defensive ends.

Linebackers

Camarillo and Hubbard will share time at middle line

backer, which should make that position a strength on defense. Dustin Wilson and Nunn are the two most likely can-

didates at the outside slots, and Brasher will add depth.

“We’ve still got a ways to go there,” Davis said about a unit with no starter older than a sophomore.

Secondary

Brasher, Bray, Shane Carr

and Simmons will all see time at cornerback, though Bray is more likely to line up at safety. The other safety spot is yet to be settled.

Special teams

Bray will kick off, and Simmons will handle place-

kicking duties. That, however, is subject to change as is the case with most high school teams. Either Brasher or Farris will

punt, and Davis will use any of his several talented skill position players to run back kicks.