Loyd Star lit up the scoreboard Friday night, climaxing a bigday of homecoming festivities The Hornets exploded for ninetouchdowns in a 62-6 rout of the Madison St. Joseph Bruins atWilliam E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

Directing the homecoming feast were tailbacks Josh Townsend andDerrick Johnson who combined for 225 yards rushing and 3touchdowns. Johnson, a senior, accounted for 2 TDs and 106 yardsrushing. Townsend, a 165-pound freshman, projected a bright futureat Loyd Star with 119 yards and 1 TD on 12 carries.

Loyd Star (7-2, 3-1) must beat McLaurin Friday night to securethe No. 2 spot in the Region 6-2A race, giving the Hornets theadvantage of hosting a first round state playoff game Nov. 9.Wesson (8-1, 4-0) claimed first place in the region race.

St. Joe (2-6, 1-3), based in Madison, was overwhelmed by LoydStar’s defense. The Bruins, coached by Rusty Boshers, managed only5 first downs, all in the first half, as they fell behind 41-6 atintermission. They were limited to 84 yards total offense.

Loyd Star senior linebacker Cody Covington said the homecomingvictory was rewarding. He led the defense with 7 tackles whilesenior teammate Adam Speeg made 6 stops. Senior defensive end LoganPortrey made 5 tackles.

“It felt great to win homecoming,” said Covington. “We playedpretty good and we didn’t make many mistakes. We need to play likethat against a good team.”

The Hornets have rolled up two lopsided victories since losingto Wesson. Loyd Star coach Anthony Hart said he was pleased withhis team’s performance.

“We are improving each game,” said Hart. “We have some guys whoare stepping up and doing a good job for us.”

Two of Hart’s key senior starters missed the game due toinjuries. Quarterback Seth Britt is sidelined by a shoulder injuryand two-way tackle Beau Morrison is out with a torn tendon in hisfoot.

Hart said he didn’t intend to run the score up. The Hornets led48-6 with 7:14 left in the third quarter. Tailback Demarcus Barnestook a 33-yard pass from quarterback Cass Brister into the endzone. Jody Britt tacked on his sixth PAT of the game.

“We put in our little, bitty kids in the second half,” saidHart. “They come to practice every day and work hard.”

Kyle Wooley,a 140-pound freshman scored Loyd Star’s final TDwith 10 seconds left on a running clock. Donovan Carnley, anoffensive lineman wearing jersey No. 54, rushed the football 4times for 13 yards from the fullback position.

Loyd Star scored twice in the first quarter as Speeg and Barnesplunged for short TDs. The Hornets tacked on 4 second-quarter TDsas Johnson scored twice. Speeg, nicknamed Bull, rumbled 33 yardsfor a touchdown with 3:40 left in the first half, pushing theHornets ahead 41-6.

Less than a minute earlier, the Bruins had ended the shut outwhen John Spencer got loose on a 38-yard scoring dash. Thatdefensive mistake drew a loud oratory from Hart who serves as theteam’s defensive coordinator.

A pass interception by Matthew Delaughter set up Loyd Star’sfourth TD of the night. Delaughter intercepted St. Joe quarterbackAndrew Kehoe and returned the theft 19 yards to the Bruin 11. Onfirst down, Barnes took the handoff from Brister and spun his wayacross the goal line, making it 28-zip.