MADISON — The Loyd Star Hornets overcame the Bruins of St. Joe14-13 to earn their first Region 6-2A win Friday night. The Hornetsused their speed to run right past the Bruin defense and accurateextra point kicking by Cori Crowe to beat the Bruins on their hometurf.

Loyd Star coach Randall Huffman said he was happy to get a regionwin. “Tonight was a big victory in district for us. A one-point winis just as good as 100 points.

“We controlled the clock very well throughout the game. We came outmuch stronger the second half. At halftime we felt like there wasmore that we could do and we just were not satisfied.”

Loyd Star senior running back Marquis Hayes had 22 carries for atotal of 179 yards and two touchdowns. Hayes led the Hornet offenseup and down the field with his crafty runs.

Hayes broke free for a 43-yard touchdown run to put the Hornet teamup 7-0 late in the first quarter. With less than two minutes leftin the second quarter, the Bruin offense found the end zone twiceto give them a 13-7 lead at halftime. Corey Funk blocked the extrapoint attempt.

Early in the third quarter, Hayes showcased his speed for anotherlong touchdown run of 58 yards. Hayes put the Hornets up 14-13.With 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Crowe took the field totry to put his team up by four points, but missed the field goalwide left. The Hornets held the Bruins scoreless the second halfand achieved a victory.

St. Joe is 4-3 overall and 0-1 in district action. Loyd Star is 2-4overall and 1-0 in district.

“The boys are still learning and we are growing stronger together.I told them earlier that all the games before this that we have wonand lost mean nothing. We host Wesson next week, but I look atevery district game as a rivalry.”

Following Hayes was Marquis Sims who rushed for 69 yards in 17carries. Quarterback Korey Allen had 13 rushes for 30 yards.

Allen was 3 of 8 passing for 20 yards with no interceptions. Hayeshad 2 receptions for 13 yards and Sims had one catch for 7yards.

Defensive stars for the Hornets include Sims with 6 tackles and oneinterception to end the game. Josh Butler had 5 tackles. CodyTeekel and Cody Lanham both earned 4 tackles. Kyle Johnson had 3tackles and 2 sacks for the Hornet defense. Travis Sorrels andBranden Canny had 3 tackles apiece for the night.

The Bruin offense was led by Charlie Beene with 10 carries gaining74 yards and 1 rushing TD. St, Joe quarterback Peyton Willoughbywas 7 for 17 on the night for a total of 70 yards and one touchdownand one interception.

The Bruin defense had eight players all reaching over five tackles.Jake Sobecki and Brett Burgess led with 9 tackles apiece. ScottMontgomery and David Lemoine had 7 tackles, while James Marshalland Christian Bourne earned 6 a piece. Charlie Chastain and E. J.Martin had 5 tackles.