LAKE – The West Lincoln Bears (5-7, 2-3) suffered a disappointing 55-0 lost to the Lake Hornets (7-4, 4-1) in the first round of Class 2A State Football Playoffs Friday night.

The Bears traveled to Lake, Miss. to take on the Hornets. It took West Lincoln seventeen years to make it to the state playoffs and after two big division wins, the Bears found themselves in their first “ever” state playoff football game.

Coach Willie Brumfield responded “Let me start by saying how proud I am of our kids achieving their preseason goal of being the first football team from West Lincoln to make the playoffs. This playoff game tonight was a new experience and a big stage for our kids and was a great opportunity for us.”

The West Lincoln community proudly braved the cold weather to support their history making Bears. The players and coaches wore red wristbands with No. 42 in memory of Peyton Flowers. Brumfield stated, “It has been an extremely emotional few weeks, and our kids have dealt with more heartbreak and discouragement than anyone their age should ever have to experience. They have kept coming to practice and continued to get better when most people would have given up.”

The Bears got the opportunity to score first receiving the ball on the opening kickoff but were unable to establish a running game against the defensive line of the Hornets.

Lake scored on their first possession on a 64-yard run with 7:42 left in the first quarter making the score 8-0 after a two point conversion. The Hornets were able to score two more touchdowns in the first quarter at the 6:51 mark and with 48 seconds remaining to end the first quarter leading 22-0.

The Hornets continued to dominate in the second quarter adding three more touchdowns and holding the Bears scoreless. Lake finished the half with a 42-0 lead.

The Hornets scored again on the opening possession of the second half taking a 49-0 lead. Lake punched in their final touchdown of the game on a two-yard run with 2:25 left in the third quarter making the score 55-0 after a failed extra point attempt.

Brumfield concluded, “I want to thank all the parents for allowing your son to play for me this year, and we have had a very special season. I would also like to thank all the wonderful families and fans that have supported us this year. Each and every one of you have helped us wrap this historic season in ‘Green and White’. We will continue to lift up the Flowers family and Loyd Star community in our prayers.”