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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Thorsby High School’s Grayson McManus is this week’s athlete of the week for Oct. 18-24 following his performance against Greensboro High School on Oct. 18. As the Rebels hit the road last week looking for a win to clinch their eighth consecutive state playoff appearance, they were looking for a big performance from someone — and McManus answered the call.

The senior quarterback had 301 of Thorsby’s 436 total yards against Greensboro, nearly 70%. He was 7-for-11 passing for 140 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 161 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns. McManus plays nearly every play for the Rebels each week and is impactful on both sides of the ball, racking up seven tackles, one for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble in the 51-20 win.

McManus’ performance clinched a playoff spot for Thorsby in their first season back in Class 3A football, the first time the program has advanced to the postseason in the classification after missing it in 2012 and 2013. Prior to the now eight-year streak of playoff appearances starting in 2017, Thorsby made the state playoffs just six other times in school history dating back to 1966.

 

Honorable mention: Kaden Tuttle, Isabella High School

 

The most impactful defensive player in the county for week eight was Isabella High School’s Kaden Tuttle who was flying around against Vincent High School on Oct. 18. The Mustangs’ junior defensive back made a team-high 20 tackles and grabbed an interception. He also made his impact felt on special teams with a punt return touchdown that helped build Isabella’s lead against Vincent before the Mustangs were edged out late.