High School Football Tour: Thrasher

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THRASHER, Miss. (WCBI) — After kicking off the 2012 season winning five of their first six games, Thrasher had its eyes set on their first playoff birth in two decades.

A daunting division schedule was ahead after the first six and the Rebels dropped their last four to finish at (5-5).

While a .500 season wasn’t playoff worthy last season, it was Thrasher’s second season in a row at or above the .500 mark. That hasn’t been done since the early 1990’s.

Yet this year’s mission remains the same for LaMart Harvey and Thrasher: get to the postseason.

“That’s our goal is the playoffs,” said Coach Harvey. “Just making the playoffs is the first step and from there, show up every Friday night and see what happens.”

Going into the 2013 season, Thrasher will have to replace one of their best players in 2-time all-state linebacker Logan Dodds. But outside of LD, Coach Harvey returns nearly his entire team including a potent rushing attack.

“We got some guys that will step up and fill his (Dodds’) shoes. Our offense will be ahead of our defense to begin the season,” Harvey said.

One big component going into that talented offense will be the big ugly’s up front, who are exactly that: big.

“We’ll be strong up front. Our line will average 300 lbs.”

Yes, you read that correctly: Thrasher’s offensive line will average 300 lbs. That massive front five along with returning quarterback J.T. Huddleston, who brings two years of starting experience back, will give the Rebels ammunition to their aspirations of getting back to the playoffs.

“They don’t care who gets the credit,” says Harvey on his offensive line. “They want to get up front and push people back. That’s a great group of guys we have up front. I’m hoping they can get us to the playoffs for the first time in 20 years.”