When the Loyd Star Hornets tackle the Gulfport St. John EaglesFriday night in Gulfport’s Milner Stadium, they will be facing afamiliar opponent. St. John beat the Hornets 29-12 last year in theopening round of the Class 2A state playoffs.

This time the stakes are higher as the Eagles (12-1) and Hornets(11-2) collide in the South State 2A championship game. Kickoff is7:30.

Ackerman plays Ruleville Central for the North 2A state titleFriday night.

Second-year head coach Anthony Hart said his Hornets are a yearolder and stronger this last time. “We are going to go down thereand play hard and play well. We are planning on winning thefootball game. Last year’s game was closer than the score and wehad some major injuries going into the game.”

Hart’s Hornets are fresh from an impressive 35-7 quarterfinalswin over Wesson. It was a revenge match as the old rivals collidedon Loyd Star’s W.E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

St. John, under the direction of former D’Iberville coach, BuddySingleton, boasts a talented team. The Eagles edged Taylorsville31-30 last week in double overtime.

The Eagles are led by running back Leo Casey (5-10, 200, jr.)”Casey was their best running back last year,” said Hart.

Eagle quarterback Garner Wetzel has thrown 22 touchdown passeswhile split end Josh Williams has snagged 10 TD passes.

“The Eagles throw more than most high school teams,” saidHart.

On defense, the Eagles have an outstanding linebacker in BennyCasper (6-3, 245, sr.) Casper transferred to St. John in the thirdweek of the season after playing for Gulfport High. Casper’seligibility has been the object of a court hearing on Tuesday andWednesday, between his guardian, the school and the MississippiHigh School Activities Association. The Harrison County ChanceryCourt judge, Margaret Alfonso, delayed her decision until Dec. 14,a week after the state championship game.

“We decided early in the week that we were not going to worryabout (decision) and just get ready to play,” said Hart.

“We have some kids as big as him.”

Senior linebacker Cody Covington led Loyd Star’s win over Wessonwith 13 tackles. He remembers the St. John team from a yearago.

“We remember them,” said Covington. “They are a good team. Weneed an A game to beat them. They execute real well.

They run a lot of reverses and hide the ball real well,” saidCovington. “Our defense has to stay with their keys.”

Covington said the Eagles run out of a split backfield and use adouble tight end.

Asked to compare this year’s Loyd Star team to the 2000 edition,Covington said, “We have definitely improved since last year, inevery aspect of the game.”

Loyd Star tailback Derrick Johnson rushed for 174 yards and 2touchdowns in the win over Wesson. Included was a 77-yard,fourth-quarter run.

“We know a pretty much about them,” answered Johnson when askedabout St. John. “We must play our best game to beat them. They arean all-around good team.”

Johnson, Loyd Star’s leading rusher and scorer, with 1,800 yardsand 26 touchdowns, said he has been pleased and surprised by thesuccess level this season. “Everybody thought we would be in arebuilding year but we knew we could do better. Everything we do isa team thing.”

Senior fullback Adam Speeg rushed for 57 yards and 2 TDs againstWesson. Quarterback Cass Brister hooked up on a 75-yard TD passwith wingback Josh Townsend. Jody Britt kicked 5 extra points.

The Hornets, enjoying their greatest season, got 6 solo tacklesfrom Jermaine Hunter, Logan Portrey and Johnson in the win overWesson. Matthew Delaughter and Townsend had 5 solo stops.