WESSON — It’s not quite the Hatfields and McCoys but the feudcomes close when the Wesson Cobras and the Loyd Star Hornets matchup in any sporting event. Friday night’s football game will be noexception,

Loyd Star invades Stone Stadium to square off against Wesson ina huge Region 6-2A battle. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Other area games include Mendenhall at Lawrence County, FranklinCounty at West Marion, Quachita, La. at Hazlehurst, Neshoba Centralat McComb, South Pike at Wilkinson County and Crystal Springs atJefferson County.

North Pike has an open date this week.

Wesson saw its winning streak come to an end last Fridayin a 20-14 loss at the hands of Mize. Loyd Star (2-3) almost cameback in the second half but still suffered a tough 22-20 loss toMcLaurin.

Wesson defeated Loyd Star 20-6 in 2005 and 33-12 in2004. The Hornets last win over the Cobras was 40-11 in2003.

Wesson coach Tommy Clopton talked about the importanceof the game with Loyd Star. “It’s a big ball game. It’s the firstdivision game for both of us. They are the ones that count. LoydStar got down early against McLaurin and almost came back. They hadthe chance to win at the end.”

“Jared (Rogers) does a good job directing the offense,”continued Clopton. “(Garry) Johnson can score anytime he gets theball.

“Defensively, they are similar to us. They make you earneverything you get.”

In the loss at Mize, Cobra running back Roy Williams ledwith 12 carries for 76 yards. Quarterback Micah Davis completed 3of 13 passes for 112 yards, including 2 touchdowns.

On defense, linebacker Beau Wilson recorded 17 tackles.Jamar Sims finished with 12 stops.

“Wesson is a real good running football team,” said LoydStar head coach Josh Thibodeaux. “They have a good quarterback(Micah Davis), a good fullback (Otho Smith) and tailback (RoyWilliams). They run a little split 4 look on defense. They have acouple of good linebackers. (Beau) Wilson scored a lot of tackles.They have a good team this year. They have a lot or kids thatplayed a lot last year.”

Thibodeaux believes his Hornets will be ready Fridaynight.

“I told them, if they can’t get ready for Wesson thisweek. they aren’t ever going to,” added Thibodeaux. “We’ve had acouple of days of good practice. The district win sets the stagefor both teams.”

In the loss to McClaurin, Johnson powered the Loyd Starrunning game with 4 rushes for 82 yards. Hunter Speeg rushed 12times for 51 yarRogers completed 3 of 8 passes for 36 yards and wasintercepted twice.

“It’s a big game for both communities,” added Clopton.”There will be a lot of excitement. Regardless of the records, itshould be a good game.”

Lawrence County enjoyed a lopsided 35-0 victory lastweek over Port Gibson. Coach Mike Davis and his Cougars prepare fora tougher Region 6-4A foe in the Mendenhall Tigers. Mendenhall(2-3, 0-2) dropped a 32-18 decision to region rival Brookhaven(3-2, 1-1) last Friday.

“Mendenhall is very athletic,” said Davis. “They havetons of speed. If they cut down on turnovers, they are 2-0 in ourdivision. They are a very dangerous football team. Theirlinebackers are good.

“It’s going to be a challenge for the Cougars thisweek,” added Davis. “We are a little banged up. It ought to be agreat night of football. The weather is going to cooperatewonderfully. We’ll get out there and see whathappens.”

Powering the Lawrence County offense in its win overPort Gibson was Matthew Wells with 14 rushes for 133 yards and 2touchdowns. Isaiah Ferdinand carried 9 times for 127 yards and aTD. Following with 99 yards on 11 plays was WillHarris.

In last year’s game, Mendenhall crushed Lawrence County40-0.

Franklin County stopped South Pike 21-14 in overtimelast Friday. Coach Grady McCluskey’s Bulldogs (4-1, 1-0) travel toWest Marion.

West Marion (3-2, 0-1) dropped a 33-6 decision to regionfoe Columbia.

In the win over South Pike, Preston Griffith ledFranklin County with 20 carries for 83 yards and atouchdown.

The Bulldog defense got 10 tackles and a pair of passdeflections from Bo Tillman.

Last season, Franklin County stomped West Marion49-6.

McComb enjoyed a lopsided 47-0 District 6-4A win overFlorence last Friday. Coach Randy Martin’s Tigers (4-1, 2-0)entertain Neshoba Central (2-3, 1-1) who is coming off a 49-17beating at the hands of West Lauderdale.

In the victory over Florence, McComb was directed bysenior runningback Demorius Stewart who rushed 16 times for 184yards and 3 touchdowns.

Last year, McComb put away Neshoba Central38-22.

South Pike looks to get back on the winning track Fridaywhen Coach Randall Huffman Eagles’ (2-3, 1-1) travel to Woodvilleto meet the winless Wilkinson County Wildcats.

In the loss to Franklin County, South Pike quarterbackTravorrious Marsalis completed 10 of 18 passes for 170 yards andtwo touchdowns. Derrick Ross caught 4 passes for 77 yards and 2touchdowns.

Wilkinson County (0-5, 0-1) is coming off a 64-0whipping at the hands of non-division opponent AmiteCounty.

Hazlehurst knocked off Region 6-3A foe Raymond 40-16last Friday. Coach Vernon Perry’s Indians (3-1) entertain Quachita,(Monroe) La.

Last year’s scheduled game with Quachita, La., wascanceled due to Hurricane Andrew.

Crystal Springs shut out the Jackson Bailey 37-0 lastFriday. Coach David Virgil’s Tigers face another Region 6-3A foe inJefferson County who handed Hinds AHS a 42-12 beating lastFriday.

In last year’s game, Jefferson County crushed CrystalSprings 38-21.