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Christian Fortner was named The Clanton Advertiser 2018 Offensive Player of the Year after being the triggerman behind Thorsby’s record-setting season on offense.

He was a true dual threat and led the Rebels in passing and rushing with 2,416 total yards on offense and 31 touchdowns during the regular season.

Throughout the season, Fortner’s accuracy was spot on. He completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,747 yards and 21 touchdowns to six different receivers.

The depth of the Thorsby receiving corps was a luxury that most teams don’t have and was something that Fortner credits for the highly productive year.

Fortner averaged 66.9 yards per game rushing, which included surpassing the century mark on the ground in a pair of contests.

“There was a couple of times when I would be begging coach to run the ball,” Fortner chuckled. “I just take what the defense gives me. If everybody is covered, I know that I can take off running and make a play with my legs.”

He became even more of a threat to run the ball in the red zone and finished with 11 touchdown scampers on the season.

That willingness to run helped to open up passing lanes and opportunities down the field.

As a result, he was the only quarterback to surpass 1,000 yards through the air during the regular season.

“Ever since my first varsity season, we’ve [the team] worked harder and harder every year to try to improve,” Fortner said.

According to Fortner, there are certain aspects of the game where he has seen vast improvement since he stepped into the starting quarterback role at THS three years ago.

“I’ve gotten a lot stronger in the weight room, which helped with running the ball, and just being a better quarterback in general,” Fortner said. “I’m making better decisions and not trying to force passes.”

Head coach Daryl Davis also called the offensive plays this year.

“If I saw something out on the field, he would always listen and try to work it in,” Fortner said.

Basketball is another sport that Fortner is passionate about, and he believes that playing the guard position is translatable to being the quarterback in football.

“It’s all about making good decisions with the ball and knowing where you’re going to pass it,” Fortner said.

Whether he is reading the secondary or scanning the court on the fast break, there is little doubt that Fortner is comfortable making plays with the ball in his hands.

Thorsby’s offense set a school record for points in a season en route to another record for wins in a season.

“I look at what we did and it was just crazy,” Fortner said. “After the season, it really hit me hard because I knew that I’d never be able to step back out on that field and play again.��

 

NOTE: The content below should be placed inside a box next to the offensive player of the year story.

 

ALL-ADVERTISER OFFENSE

 

Quarterback: Christian Fortner, senior, Thorsby

 

Quarterback: ShiKeem Laister, junior, Chilton County

 

Quarterback: Jackson Abbott, sophomore, Maplesville

 

Running back: Christin Brown, senior, Maplesville

 

Running back: Ryan Morrow, junior, Maplesville

 

Running back: Cole Atchison, junior, Isabella

 

Running back: A.J. Jackson, senior, Jemison

 

Running back: Cameron Wright, senior, Chilton County

 

Running back: Taylor Arington, junior, Billingsley

 

Receiver: Jacob Lockhart, junior, Thorsby

 

Receiver: Cole Farris, senior, Thorsby

 

Receiver: Tyler Jackson, senior, Thorsby

 

Receiver: Kendall Reeves, junior, Isabella

 

Receiver: Jakavian Mckenzie, senior, Maplesville

 

Offensive line: Cole Reeves, senior, Isabella

 

Offensive line: Noah Walls, junior, Maplesville

 

Offensive line: Jody Little, senior, Chilton County

 

Offensive line: Henry Wilson, senior, Thorsby

 

Offensive line: Johnathan Lowery, junior, Jemison

 

Offensive line:  Ty Rawlinson, senior, Billingsley

 

Athlete: Carlton McCary, senior, Billingsley

 

Athlete: Dawson Rohrbough, senior, Verbena

 

Kicker: C.J. Hunter, senior, Chilton County