Johnson leads Hornets over Franklin Co. 28-20
Published 5:00 am Monday, September 17, 2001
MEADVILLE – In what could be witnessed as a fight of natureFriday night, the Loyd Star Hornets did what any group of Hornetswould do after a Bulldog attack, they stung quickly andconsiderably and then they left with a 28-20 victory.
The Hornets used the services of senior running back DerrickJohnson to sting the Dawgs. Johnson rose to the occasion, byhitting a trifecta in the third quarter with three straightmomentum-turning touchdowns.
“Our coaching staff made a challenge during halftime and ourplayers responded,” said Loyd Star coach Anthony Hart. “Ouroffensive line and our running backs really picked things upoffensively. Overall, we’re just glad to win.”
Hart’s Hornets held a slim 7-6 lead just before the half, untilBulldog senior cornerback Walter Anderson snatched the ball out ofthe air and raced 63 yards untouched as time expired, for a 14-7Bulldog lead. Hart and his hard-working coaching staff then made achallenge to the Hornets and Johnson came through in a big way.
Johnson, a 6-foot, 165-pound senior, scored his first touchdownof the night with 8:24 remaining in the third quarter, off a 20yard scamper that tied the game at 14. Johnson wasn’t done. Hewould add another score four minutes later from five yards out fora 21-14 lead.
Then came the knockout punch as Johnson scored for the thirdtime in the quarter from 50 yards out, with 43 seconds remaining.Add a Jody Britt PAT and the Hornets held a commanding 28-14advantage.
“We didn’t execute,” said Franklin County head coach MichaelGoff. “Our offense and defense made mistakes and that cost us thegame.”
The Dawgs tried to mount a comeback after a five yard touchdownrun by junior quarterback Colby Beach, with 1:31 left in the thirdquarter. But when the Dawgs tried for the onside kick, sophomoreChris Blackwell’s kick sailed out of bounds as did the hopes of theBulldogs comeback hopes.
“We were in a difficult position at the time,” continued Goff.”We had the lead entering the second half but we failed to make thebig plays to keep it.”
The Hornets made the big plays from their first score in thesecond quarter, when a fake punt netted a 71-yard touchdown bombfrom senior Cass Brister to Logan Portrey. That ended a 20-minutedefensive struggle between the two teams and gave the Hornets firstblood.
The Dawgs would come back in seven plays and score on a bombthemselves as Beach connected with senior wingback Tommie Smithfrom 37 yards out. After the Blackwell kick sailed four feet underthe goal posts, the Hornets held a 7-6 lead.
After Anderson’s interception return for a score many Bulldogfaithful thought it was almost clear sailing. But Johnson spawned astorm of touchdowns and ended any hopes of breaking Loyd Star’sthree-year winning streak over the Bulldogs.
Offensively, the Hornets were led by Johnson with 28 carries for207 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Demarcus Barnes had threecarries for 30 yards.
On defense, senior linebacker Cody Covington led theHornet attack with 11 tackles and one fumble recovery. Senior AdamSpeeg chipped in with 10 tackles and one quarterback sack.Defensive tackle Beau Morrison recorded eight tackles. JuniorDaniel Sisco had four tackles and a sack.
For the Dawgs, Smith led the attack with seven carriesfor 68 yards. He also caught two passes for 39 yards and atouchdown. Junior Jon (Skeet) Hickingbottom was second with ninecarries for 41 yards.
Through the air, Beach was 5-15-0 for 83 yards. He hadone touchdown pass and one touchdown run.
On defense, Aaron (Y2J) Jones led the Dawgs with 12tackles. Junior nose tackle Taylor McMinn gained eight tackles, onesack, and one fumble recovery. James Hunt and Tyson Windom each hadseven tackles. Anderson finished with five tackles, twointerceptions, two caused fumbles, two deflections, and asack.
The Dawgs will resume play Friday night at Stone Stadiumagainst undefeated Wesson. The Hornets will host class 2A foeBassfield.
STATISTICS
FC
LS
First Downs
13
13
Rushes-Yards
31-157
42-267
Passing Yards
91
83
Total Yards
248
350
Passes
6-16-0
3-7-2
Fumbles-Lost
2-3
2-4
Punt-Average
6-23.5
2-15.1
Penalties-Yards
9-85
12-95
Loyd Star
0
7
21
0 – 28
Franklin Co.
0
14
0
6 – 20
SECOND QUARTER
Loyd Star, Portrey 71 pass from Brister (J. Britt Kick),7:15.
Franklin Co., T. Smith 37 pass from Beach (kick fail), 2:20.
Franklin Co., W. Anderson 63 interception return (Hickingbottomrun), 0:18.
THIRD QUARTER
Loyd Star, Johnson 20 run (J. Britt Kick), 8:24.
Loyd Star, Johnson 5 run (J. Britt Kick), 4:20.
Loyd Star, Johnson 50 run (J. Britt Kick), 0:43.
FOURTH QUARTER
Franklin Co., Beach 5 run (Pass failed), 1:31.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING : Loyd Star, Johnson 28-207, Barnes 3-30, Speeg 2-16, S.Britt 6-13, Delaughter 2-10, Brister 1-(minus 9). Franklin County,T. Smith 7-68, Hickingbottom 9-41, Brown 9-38, Beach 6-10.
PASSING : Loyd Star, S. Britt 2-6-2, 20. Brister 1-1-0, 71.Franklin County, Beach 5-15-0, 83. Blackwell 0-1-0, 0.
RECEIVING : Loyd Star, Portrey 3-20. Franklin County, Brooks2-40, T. Smith 2-39, Hickingbottom 2-4.