RICHLAND — The Loyd Star Hornets lost a heart breaker late inthe fourth quarter, falling 29-27 to the Richland Rangers afterleading the whole game. What started the winning rally for theRangers was an onside kickoff recovery with less than four minutesremaining in the fourth quarter.

Richland quarterback Joseph Sailes scored the winning touchdownfrom nine yards out with 1:35 left to play. The conversion tryfailed.

Loyd Star coach Randall Huffman said his team gave a good effortbut wilted in the closing minutes. “We gave up right at the endwhen we needed to be strongest. We let them get in right at theend. We are a young team but we are getting better. We aregradually becoming more of a team.”

Loyd Star (0-3) hosts Bogue Chitto Friday night for the annualPossum Bowl. Kickoff is 7:30 on William E. “Sambo” SmithField.

Marquis Hayes led the rushing offensively for the Hornets with 11carries for 66 yards and one 23-yard rushing touchdown. Hayes alsoreturned a blocked field goal at the end of the second quarter fora 90-yard touchdown. Hayes had one catch for 24 yards.

Hornet Marquis Sims had 12 carries for 30 yards and a 6-yardtouchdown run. Quarterback Korey Allen had 12 carries for 21yards.

Allen completed 3 passes out of 5 attempts for 66 yards. TravisSorrels had a 13-yard reception and Cori Crowe had a 29 yardreception.

Loyd Star’s defense was led by Josh Butler with 6 tackles, a sackand a fumble recovery. Sims had 4 tackles, a strip and a fumblerecovery, and assisted butler on the sack. Sorrels and Funk bothhad 4 tackles.

Richland coach Lance Canoy said, “From the beginning of the game wecame out and were not ready to play. They should have been ready toplay after being beaten so bad by Loyd Star last year.

“We had a good week last week but we still came up short. I wassurprised with my defense for stopping them so well. The onsidekick worked and gave us the spark we needed. My offense never laiddown.”

Sailes led the Ranger offense with 17 carries for 121 yards and 2rushing touchdowns. Nathan Johnston had 9 carries for a total of 98yards, including a 35-yard rushing touchdown.

The passing game was led by Dee McLin with 2 catches for 37 yards.Joseph Sailes had one catch for 12 yards. Sailes was 2 of 6 passingfor 37 yards and one touchdown. Casey King was 1 for 1 for 12yards.

Daylin Britt had a 29-yard field goal to put the Rangers ahead 10-7in the second quarter.

Richland is 1-2 on the season. They will travel to McLaurin nextweek.

The Rangers’ defensive leader was Casey King with 4 tackles. DeeMcLin had a tackle and a blocked punt.