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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

A homecoming win and back to .500 on the season were the prizes for Thorsby High School after beating Wilcox Central High School 42-12 on Sept. 13. The win also moved Thorsby to 2-0 in Class 3A Region 3 play.

After a slow first half that was bogged down due to the leftover rain and more in the area, the game saw just two scores in the first 24 minutes — a pair of short rushing touchdowns by Christopher Buendtner and Grayson McManus, as well as McManus’ two-point conversion run to send the Rebels into halftime on top 14-0.

McManus threw the ball just six times in the win as Thorsby showcased their running game to the tune of 285 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He was the leading rusher with 126 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns, while Buendtner ran for 109 yards on 10 carries and three touchdowns.

“Any time you can get a region win it is good, and to get back to .500 is important,” Thorsby head coach Daryl Davis said. “Homecoming can cause some problems at times, but they locked in with the messy night, messy field, and at times, a messy game. They got it done when we had to have them.”

Thorsby’s offense found more of its footing in the second half with Manuel Castillo getting into the end zone quickly after halftime to stretch the advantage to 20-0. After Wilcox Central got on the board for its first score, the Rebels ripped off 15 unanswered points by way of a McManus 25-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion and a Buendtner 11-yard touchdown run and extra point to put Thorsby ahead 35-6. Buendtner got into the end zone for the third time in the game late with a long 50-yard touchdown run to ice away the homecoming win.

The Rebels’ defense got produced five turnovers in the game — three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Malachi Allgood was the leading tackler for Thorsby with 10 stops with one coming for a loss, and he added a sack and a fumble recovery. Tyler Lockhart and McManus each tallied eight tackles. Braylon Carroll, Logan Ellison and Drew Water each pulled down an interception, and Brooks Barnett recovered a fumble.

“I think we are figuring ourselves out and what kind of team we are, and we have gotten better each week since that second week and a little better last night,” Davis said. “Hopefully, we can build on that having to go to Hale County and play a good football team. We will have to continue to get better this week (too).”

Thorsby (2-2) travels to unbeaten Hale County High School for their next game on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. for an in-region clash.