Thorsby senior Nick Henry stepped into a leadership role during the 2016 football season. (Photo by Anthony Richards)

It was a difficult season for the Thorsby football team, but that did not stop certain players from standing out with their individual performances.

One of these players was senior Nick Henry, who was named to the 2016 Clanton Advertiser All-area team as a linebacker and a proved to be a key cog in the Rebels’ defensive scheme on a weekly basis.

“We didn’t have the best season, but we were still able to gel together,” Henry said. “The bond that we had this year was probably better than any team that I’ve been a part of.”

It was evident early on that the season was going to be full of growing pains and loses, but the Thorsby senior class did not quit and finished what they had started years ago.

“It made us open up our eyes and be the leaders that coach needed us to be,” Henry said. “This year we didn’t have anybody missing practice and the effort was there until the end.”

Despite being undersized at times with his 5-foot-4-inch frame, Henry showed a knack for fighting off blockers and piling up the tackles.

He was seemingly always around the ball, which is due to his instinctive nature and understanding of offensive tendencies during certain situations in a game.

“You’ve got to know whether a guy is going to block you or go out for a pass based on the way they are set up at the line of scrimmage,” Henry said. “My vision of the field really seemed to open up my senior year.”

The defensive side of the ball has always felt comfortable for Henry, who played defensive end his freshman year before making the transition to a full-time role at linebacker.

“I love the contact involved with the position,” Henry said.

Henry credits the coaches that he has had over the years including his high school head coach Billy Jackson.

“We’ve been through a lot together over the years,” Henry said. “He has always been there for me and continues to be there for any player that has every been part of this program.”

The thing that Henry will miss most about those Friday nights in the fall, is the crowd.

“I loved the crowds, especially when you make a hit and they go wild,” Henry said. “It doesn’t get better than that. We just loved it so much and each of us [seniors] would give anything to get back out there.”