By Mike Kelley

NEW SITE – Thorsby’s Rebels were beaten by the Horseshoe Bend Generals (3-2) on Sept. 25, 28-6.

Coach Billy Jackson’s scrappy Rebels charted more yards rushing than the Generals but couldn’t move the football into the red zone until less than a minute remained to play. Marcus Bray set of the Rebel score on a run to the General’s five with less than a minute to play. Nelson Buldier scored with 15 seconds to play, and the Rebels avoided the shutout.

The Rebels (0-5, 0-3 Class 2A, Region 4) will try to break into the win column when they host Vincent this week.

On Sept. 25, Horseshoe Bend opened scoring in the first quarter with a 26-yard run by Brandon Thomas. The second General score was set up with a blocked punt that provided good field position for the Generals. Thomas scored his second TD three plays later with 6:17 left in the quarter.

Kendall Thomas passed to Clay Phillips for the next General touchdown with 8:03 left in the half. The final General touchdown was set up with an interception at midfield that was returned to the Thorsby 18. Joey O’Neal scored on the next play with 5:52 left in the half.

Bad field position put the Rebel defense on its heals most of the first half. The Generals gained every possession in the first half inside the Rebel’s 45 yard line. 

Although the Rebels did not get their offense moving until the last minute on the game clock, they had more rushing yards (142) and more first downs (11) than their opponents. Three interceptions stopped Rebel drives, and they were tagged for 55 yards in penalties.