Johnson’s theft sparks Hornets over Enterprise

Published 5:00 am Tuesday, September 7, 2004

Opportunity knocked and Gary Johnson answered the call. The LoydStar defensive back made a leaping interception and returned it 40yards for a third-quarter touchdown, breaking a 7-7 deadlock. Thebig defensive play helped the Hornets hand Enterprise’s YellowJackets a 17-7 loss in Friday night’s Sting Bowl at William E.”Sambo” Smith Field.

“I had to cover the flat man-to-man,” said Johnson, a sophomore.”I saw my man (Alex Powell) going out for the post. I had to jumpand get it (interception). I wanted to help the team.”

Johnson came down with Enterprise quarterback Cory Everett’spass and went 41 yards to paydirt. “Coach told us to run hard,”said Johnson. “I turned tail and ran with it.”

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Loyd Star quarterback Justin Whatley kicked the extra point andthe Hornets had their first lead of the game at 14-7 with 3:17 leftin the third quarter.

“Gary gets excited when he’s on the field,” said Loyd Star coachWade Henderson. “He never lets you down. He plays both ways for us,too.”

In a hard-hitting defensive struggle, the 2-0 Hornets turned upthe heat in the second half. They allowed Enterprise to score onits first possession but shut the door for the rest of thegame.

“Defense won the game for us,” said Henderson. “We wore themdown before halftime and we got some good plays on defense.”

In the second half, Johnson, Michael Britt and John Smith pickedoff passes for Loyd Star. The Hornets took over at the Enterprise24 after a fumbled, fourth-down snap led to a desperation pass frompunter Tate Ball to Zach Jackson.

Five plays later, Whatley kicked a 28-yard field goal. TheHornets led 117-7 with 3:50 left in the game.

The Jackets (1-1) started strong. They intercepted Whatley onLoyd Star’s first possession. Ball returned the theft 18 yards toLoyd Star’s 24. Ball intercepted Whatley twice in the game.

Six plays later, Everett hooked up with Blake McKee who was openin the end zone for the touchdown. Wayne Nations kicked the extrapoint for a 7-0 advantage.

“We made some improvements from last week but we fell short ofour goal,” said Enterprise head coach Mac Bezet. “Loyd Star isphysical. Defensively, they played a good game “

Tailback Terrell May, Enterprise’s chief offensive weapon, waslimited to 35 yards on 13 carries. Leg cramps put May on thesidelines several times.

“May cramped up and ran out of gas,” said Bezet. “We have to getin better shape this week.”

A large crowd watched the Hornets gain a 7-7 deadlock with 1:13left in the first quarter. Taking over at Enterprise’s 46-yardline, the Hornets got a 33-yard scoring pass from Whatley to widereceiver Jared Rogers who was wide open behind the Enterprisesecondary.

Whatley wound up being Loyd Star’s leading rusher with 13carries for 68 yards. Britt, working a fullback, followed him with12 rushes for 52 yards.