The Loyd Star Hornets and the Wesson Cobras breezed through thefirst round of the Class 2A state football playoffs last Fridaynight but face a much tougher pair of opponents in this week’ssecond round.

Loyd Star (9-2) travels to Newton (9-2) and Wesson (10-1)entertains Scott Central (6-5). Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m.The winners will meet on Friday, Nov. 23.

The Hornets are coming off a lopsided 40-0 victory over theSouth Leake Wildcats in last Friday’s first-round game. Newton shutout McLaurin 32-0 in a battle of opening-round Tiger teams.

Loyd Star coach Anthony Hart and his staff have been studyingNewton. They are preparing the Hornets for a talented opponent.

“They have some very good skilled people,” Hart said. “Theirfullback is 6-foot, 220 pounds and is a good hard runner. Theirwideout, who is 6-4, we have concerns about him, about his heightand our lack of.

“Their quarterback is very good,” Hart continued. “The tailbackhas been hurt but he might be back this week. They are balanced asa team. Like most teams, they’ll try running the football first.They can throw football well.”

On defense, Newton compares to Loyd Star according toHart.”Defensively, they are lot like we are,” Hart explained. “Theyrun a lot of things like us. They have very good linebackers and agood noseguard. We hope we match up well with them. Like anybodythat is in the playoffs, they are a good football team.”

Hart said that Newton is a little less than two hours drive fromLoyd Star. “You get off of 1-20, take the Lawrence exit at Lake andthe field is seven miles south.”

“I feel like we are playing well,” Hart stated. “We have achance at them. The kids are hungry.”

In last Friday’s win over South Leake, senior tailback DerrickJohnson powered the Loyd Star running game. Johnson carried 19times for 139 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, Johnson hasrushed for 1,433 yards and 23 TDs.

In the air, Hornet quarterback Cass Brister completed 2 of 4passes for 60 yards and a touchdown and was intercepted once.Catching both passes was tight end Logan Portrey. Portrey has fivereceptions on the season.

The Loyd Star defense got eight tackles apiece from linebackersCody Covington and Matthew Delaughter.

Newton is led by Marquis Poole who has 12 touchdowns on theseason.

Other members of the Hornet coaching staff are Bradley Crow,Johnny Daves, Sidney Wheatley and Barry Reeves.

Wesson (10-1) mauled Kemper County 49-8 in last Friday’s openinground. Scott Central, which stomped St. Andrew’s 42-0, will be alot tougher team.

Wesson head coach Ronald Greer and his staff have watchedseveral films on Scott Central. Greer had some observations on theRebels.

“They run a Wing-T formation but not all Wing-T stuff,” saidGreer. “They have got outstanding running backs. No. 8, CedrickGary (6-1, 190) is a junior with excellent speed. Their fullback isJohn Nichols (5-10, 155), a senior with really good speed.

“The quarterback is Macandy Bobbitt (5-9, 150) who is asophomore and is quick as a waterbug,” Greer continued. “We willhave our hands full keeping him hemmed up. They have several otherkids that run real well. They are a young team on the line.”

Greer also talked about the Rebel defense that likes to play a50 front and 50 split.

“Freshman Mitchell Bradford (34), a 5-9, 185-pound linebacker,is a hitter,” explained Greer. “He will bend your face mask. CarlosDorsey (6-0, 190) is a senior defensive end and he does anexcellent job. Senior Clevester McKee (6-1, 195) returns at insidelinebacker. If he (McKee) is healthy, he will be hard tohandle.”

Greer said McKee has been out due to an injury but returned lastweek for the playoffs.

Senior runningback Marcus Corley directed the Wesson runninggame with 10 rushed for 108 yards and returned a punt 35 yards inbeating Kemper County. Corley also rushed for two touchdowns.Carrying 13 times for 93 yards and a TD was senior runningbackBilly Ray Miller who leads the team with 15 touchdowns. Corley has11 TDs.

Miller also leads the Cobra defense with 10 tackles. EmanuelSinclair made nine stops.

“It will be a challenge for our football team,” added Greer.”There’s not anybody left that can’t play. We hope to have a bigcrowd. It should be exciting. We are proud to be playingstill.”

Other members of the Cobra coaching staff are Phillip Knight,Ricky Gunter, Rob Channell and Ronnie Channell.