FLORENCE — The McLaurin TIgers escaped with a hard-fought 34-33Friday night win over the Loyd Star Hornets in Region 6-2A action.A last-minute Hornet drive came up short when a long, Hail Marypass fell incomplete in the end zone.

“Our kids played hard,” said Loyd Star first-year coach RyanRoss. “They went out with class and character. They went out awinner. We played everybody tough. Our offense started to click thelast couple of weeks.”

Loyd Star ends its season 3-6 overall and 1-4 in the region.McLaurin (5-5, 3-3) advances to the state playoffs as the No. 4seed.

Loyd Star finished the game with 398 yards total offense. TheHornets had 220 yards passing as quarterback David Fields completed11 of 19 passes for 3 touchdowns.

Hornet receiver Glen Thomas caught 2 touchdown passes, covering 35and 34 yards, from Fields. Donald Shorter also made a TD receptionof 58 yards. Shorter also ran 8 yards for a TD.

Tradarius Wilson ran 33 yards for a Hornet TD.

The Hornets had 58 offensive plays and 178 rushing yards.

On defense, Alex PIzarras intercepted a McLaurin pass in the endzone to kill a scoring threat. He also recovered a fumble.

McLaurin quarterback Michael Young converted a play-action pass onfourth down and the Tigers scored from 71 yards out to regain thelead. The Hornets had led 33-27.