UTICA – The Loyd Star Hornets knocked off a Region 6-2A rival inthe Hinds AHS War Dawgs Friday night for the right to host afirst-round game of the Class 2A South playoffs. With the win, LoydStar improved to 4-1 in the final game of region play and 9-1 onthe season, runner-up to Puckett.

Loyd Star will host a first round playoffs game Friday night onWilliam E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

Loyd Star coach Ryan Ross. “

The Hornets took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. QuarterbackJoseph Shelby scored on a 2-yard run and Tradareous Wilson brokeloose for a 65-yard TD. The first PAT kicked failed but Shelby ranthe 2-point conversion.

Loyd Star linebacker David Fields forced a fumble that theHornets stopped in the end zone for a safety and pushed their leadto 16-0 at the 2:46 mark in the third quarter.

In the final frame. Marquis Haynes broke free for a 40-yard runand scored the final Hornet TD of the game for a 22-0 lead.

Fourth-quarter action saw Hinds AHS get on the scoreboard with 5seconds remaining on a 29-yard burst by Jeremy Lee followed by a2-point conversion run by Darious Newton.

In final statistics, Wilson rushed the football 8 times for 83yards for Loyd Star. Hayes collected 77 yards on 13 carries.Rushing 5 times for 51 yards was Sims. Shelby finished with 35yards on 12 carries.

Shelby completed a pass to DeAndre Butler for 23 yards.

The Hornet defense was led by Fields with 23 tackles and asafety. T.J. Floyd made 13 tackles and recovered a fumble. Making10 stops and recovering a fumble apiece were Travis Sorrels andCody Lambert.