In a game featuring 10 turnovers, Wesson quarterback Matt Smithwas rock-solid steady. Smith passed for two touchdowns and ran foranother as the Cobras smashed archrival Loyd Star 36-19 Fridaynight on William E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

In passing, Smith was a perfect 5-for-5 for 100 yards. He alsorushed 11 times for 40 yards, helping the Cobras remain undefeatedin seven games and improve to 2-0 in Region 6-2A action. Heshrugged off his performance and preferred sharing the victory withteammates and his Creator.

“Give all the glory to God,” said Smith. “We’ve got some goodrunners and receivers. D.J. (Coleman) and Paxton (Cupit) have goodhands.”

Loyd Star (2-4, 1-1) and Wesson had met last year in a battle ofunbeaten (6-0) teams and a record crowd watched the Hornets prevail27-21 in overtime. Smith, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior; said ataste of revenge also motivated the Cobras.

“We wanted some revenge because of last year,” said Smith. Anestimated crowd of 1,500 witnessed the latest chapter in the longrivalry.

The Cobras claimed an 8-0 lead on a 9-yard run by Steve Jones and a2-point conversion run by Smith. Three lost fumbles in the first 14minutes of the game slowed them down.

Loyd Star answered the Wesson score as safety Marquis Hayes scoopedup a fumble and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. Corrie Crowkicked the extra point and it was 8-7.

Wesson responded with 28 unanswered points and the Hornets neverrecovered. A 50-yard gallop by Coleman and a 2-point conversionpass from Smith to Patrick Boone began the scoring stampede. Afumbled kickoff return led to Smith hitting Paxton Cupit with a24-yard TD pass. Jones ran the conversion and it was 24-7.

On the next series, Hornet quarterback Korey Allen was interceptedby Jacob Fischer. That theft launched a 3-play, 60-yard TD march,highlighted by consecutive completions to Payton Cupit and Colemanof 23 and 25 yards respectively, the second going for a TD. It was30-7 with 30 seconds left in the first half.

“We were our own worst enemies in the first quarter,” said Wessoncoach Tommy Clopton, pointing to his team’s turnovers. “We tookcontrol in the second quarter and made several big plays. Werelaxed a little in the fourth quarter.

“We are 2-0 in the district and that’s important.”

A 4-yard TD run by Smith put the Cobras up 36-7 with 6:09 left inthe third quarter.

Loyd Star, coached by Randall Huffman, scored twice in the fourthquarter. The Hornets marched 59 yards in 12 plays to set up Allen’s2-yard sneak.

Loyd Star’s final TD was set up when Smith’s punt was partiallyblocked as he punted from the end zone. Josh Butler returned thepunt 15 yards to paydirt.

“Our kids battled and we had plenty of opportunities to be in theballgame,” said Huffman. “I’m proud we didn’t quit in the secondhalf.

“Wesson has a good ballclub,” he continued. “They have some seniorleaders in the right places.”

Huffman’s Hornets visit Puckett Friday and Wesson hosts Enterprisefor region action.

On defense, Wesson was led by Barron Miller’s 11 tackles and aninterception. Gage Wilson had 9 tackles and Derrick Lyles 8.Fischer had 2 interceptions.