The host Loyd Star Hornets handed the McLaurin Tigers a 42-14whipping Friday night in the final Region 6-2A game of the footballseason.

Loyd Star (8-2, 4-1) will host South Leake Friday night atWilliam E. “Sambo” Smith Field in the first round of the Class 2Astate football playoffs. The Hornets are the No. 2 team in Region6-2A and the Bobcats are the Region 5 No. 3 finishers.

South Leake (6-4, 3-2) crushed Kemper County 24-0 Friday night.Region 6 champ Wesson (9-1, 5-0) will host No. 4 Kemper County(2-8, 2-3).

Third place McLaurin finishes the season 3-4 overall and 2-3 inthe region. The Tigers are on the road to face District 5 No. 2team Scott Central (5-5, 4-1).

“We didn’t play any of our starters in the second half,” saidLoyd Star head coach Anthony Hart. It was an easy win for hissquad.

Loyd Star jumped on McLaurin for a 14-0 lead in the firstquarter. Senior fullback Adam Speeg rushed for a 49-yard touchdownand senior fullback Derrick Johnson ran for a 68-yard TD. JodyBritt kicked 6 of 6 extra points in the game.

In the second quarter, the Hornets put up 21 points andincreased their lead to 38-0. Senior tailback Demarcus Barnesrushed for a one-yard TD, Johnson came back with a 31-yardtouchdown and Josh Townsend broke free for a 51-yard score.

Third quarter action saw Loyd Star add one more touchdown on aseven-yard sprint by sophomore Josh Reed for a 42-0 lead. TheTigers scored two touchdowns before the end of the quarter to cutthe deficit to 42-14 going into the final frame.

Loyd Star rushed the football 30 times for 358 yards. Seniorquarterback Cass Brister completed 1 of 2 passes for 46 yards.Catching the pass was sophomore Derek Smith.

Powering the Hornet running game with four rushes for 108 yardswas Johnson. Carrying eight times for 82 yards was Townsend. Speegrushed twice for 74 yards.

On defense, Hornet senior linebacker Cody Covington ledwith eight tackles. Dewayne Britt, Matthew Delaughter and DanielCalcote collected seven tackles apiece.