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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Thorsby High School’s stellar 2023 football season came to an end at Reeltown High School on Nov. 17 with a 48-14 defeat in the second round of the AHSAA Class 2A state football playoffs.

The Rebels potent rushing attack was stymied by the No. 3 ranked team in Class 2A football by the Alabama Sports Writers Association for just 98 yards. It was their second-lowest output of the season, and only the second game under 100 yards this season.

Reeltown ripped off a long touchdown to open the game, but Thorsby quarterback Grayson McManus responded right away capping the next drive with a 15-yard touchdown to Carson Church, but the two-point conversion failed to make it 8-6 after the first quarter.

The second quarter was the difference in the game as Reeltown outscored Thorsby 28-0 in the quarter, starting with a trio of rushing touchdowns to go up 28-6 with three minutes left. Reeltown added a touchdown pass later in the game to push their lead to 36-6 at halftime.

Thorsby kept hope alive coming out of halftime quickly as McManus tossed his second touchdown pass of the game finding Nate Thomas for a 45-yard strike. McManus took in the two-point conversion run to take a chunk out of the lead at 36-14.

McManus was 4-for-10 passing for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

The shortened deficit lasted just seconds as Reeltown ripped off another long touchdown run to reestablish a 42-14 lead, and added its final touchdown later in third quarter as well.

The Rebels’ Malachi Allgood led the defense with 12 tackles, followed by Tyler Lockhart with eight. McManus also forced a fumble and Brooks Barnett recovery it for the Rebels.

Thorsby ends its 2023 season with a 9-3 record, its first nine-win season since 2018, its only two in school history.