Bulldogs bulldoze THS

Published 11:12 pm Thursday, October 29, 2009

What has been a special season for Thorsby didn’t end that way.

The Rebels 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.

No. 4 Maplesville (8-1, 7-1 region) at American Christian (4-5, 4-3)

– Maplesville dropped this contest by one point, 34-33, last year. The Red Devils are much improved, and the Patriots might not be. Pick: Maplesville.

Marbury (2-7, 2-5) at Verbena (5-4, 3-4)

– This contest between inter-county rivals is always interesting. This could be one of the most exciting games of the season. Look for the visitors to pull it out because a win would salvage their season. Pick: Marbury.

No. 4 Shelby Co. (8-1, 5-1) at Jemison (4-3, 4-2)

– Shelby County, which is one of the best teams in Class 5A, hasn’t lost since Week 2. Don’t look for the Wildcats to stumble this week as they tune up for a deep playoff run. Pick: Shelby Co.

No. 4 Bibb Co. (4-3, 2-2) at Chilton Co. (5-4, 3-3)

– Chilton County almost pulled the upset against a top 5 Class 5A team last week. Could the Tigers do it to a top 5 Class 4A team this week? Though the Choctaws are a class lower, they might be a better team than the Greenville squad that squeezed past the Tigers. Pick: Bibb Co.

Picks record:48-11

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.