Bassfield, the three-time defending state champions, cruised past the the Loyd Star Hornets 39-14 in Region 7-2A action Friday night.

“Glad to get the win,” said Bassfield coach Lance Mancuso. “Overall, I am proud of my guys for playing hard. We managed to gain control of the game early, which allowed me to give our younger players some playing time. Loyd Star has a good team. Coach Adam Cook and his coaching staff are doing a great job with their players. They played hard for all four quarters and did not quit.”

In the opening period, Bassfield wasted no time establishing their powerful running game as Ron Thompson scored on a five-yard run with 10:34 left to take a 6-0 lead.

With 9:17 left on clock, Bassfield’s Gerald Reese would add to their lead when he scored on a 10-yard rushing touchdown to secure a 12-0 advantage.

Loyd Star’s defense managed to settle down after two quick Bassfield touchdowns and did not allow the the defending champs to score again until the 4:34 mark in the first.

Rashaud Green punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown to give Bassfield a 19-0 lead to end the first period.

At the 3:36 mark in the second, Kevin McNair punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown to increase Bassfield’s lead to 26-0.

With 20 seconds on the clock in the first half, Bassfield would find the endzone once again on a one-yard rushing touchdown by Channing Daley. The score was 32-0 at halftime.

Bassfield scored its final touchdown of the game in the third period when McNair recovered an onside kick and returned it 50 yards to paydirt with 11:47 left.

Loyd Star would find the end zone late in the third period on a 19-yard pass from Parker Flowers to James Beard to cut into Bassfield’s lead at 39-7.

In final period, Flowers managed to avoid Bassfield’s pressure to sprint in a 92-yard rushing touchdown. Flowers was successful on both of his extra point attempts.

“I am very proud of my guys,” said Loyd Star coach Adam Cook. “They fought hard until the end and we never gave up. Bassfield has a very good, well-coached team.”

Offensively, Parker Flowers powered the Hornets with 165 yards rushing on 17 carries. Flowers also completed two passes for 21 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

James was the top receiver for Loyd Star with two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown.

For Bassfield, Zion Hathorn led with 56 yards rushing. McNair contributed 43 yards rushing and was 1-of-2 passing for 30 yards. Ron Thompson provided 45 yards rushing.

Defensively, Lakin Wallace led the Hornets with 13 tackles. Konner Allen and Zach Cain contributed 10 tackles each. Allen had four tackles for a loss and Cain had three tackles for a loss. Nick Smith and Flowers finished with nine tackles each. Blake Ramsey had eight tackles.

McNair and Ricardo Booth led Bassfield with three tackles each. Racheem Booth, James Washington, and Nick Hall finished with two stops apiece.

Prior to the opening kickoff, Loyd Star’s senior football players and senior band members were recognized.

Mancuso and his senior players also joined in the celebration as they presented the Flowers family with a championship ring. Bassfield made Peyton Flowers, who died following a game last year, an honorary member of the team last season in the state championship game.

Loyd Star (3-7, 1-3) will be on the road Friday as it travels to take on West Lincoln (2-7, 0-4). Bassfield will be home as it takes on Prentiss (5-4, 3-0). Kickoff for both games is at 7 p.m.