Hornets pick up first win at Salem

Published 12:05 am Saturday, September 7, 2019

After a slow start, the Loyd Star Hornets authored their first win of the 2019 campaign to the tune of a 36-20 win over the winless Salem Wildcats Friday night in Walthall County.

A couple of stalled drives by each team highlighted the opening minutes.  The Hornets (1-2) used their patented-ground game to wear down Salem over the final 18 minutes of the first half.

Loyd Star running back Versie Wilson scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of seven and 43-yards.  Payne Walker kicked a pair of extra points as LS head coach Brian Ford saw his ballclub take a 14-0 lead into the second period. 

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Hornet quarterback Stephen Mills found wide receiver Jontorion Smith in the endzone with a touchdown pass in the second quarter. Wilson tacked on a 2-point conversion run. 

Mills then scored on a 12-yard quarterback keep.  Walker nailed his third PAT kick of the night.

Salem (0-3), coached by Chris McCallum, got a pair of scores from quarterback Rusty Hope, on runs of five and 12-yards in the second quarter.

Loyd Star led 29-14 at halftime.

The Hornets clamped down on the Wildcats in the second half, even producing a touchdown of their own.  Following a Hope fumble, defender Julius Smith returned the miscue 27-yards to paydirt with 8:24 left in the game.

Loyd Star makes its home debut on Friday hosting the Pisgah Dragons for a 7 p.m. kickoff on W.E. “Sambo”Smith Field.

Story by Will Watson