The Loyd Star Hornets and the Bogue Chitto Bobcats open theirfootball season Friday night with a pair of road games. Loyd Starinvades Lexington to meet J.J. McClain and Bogue Chitto is atVicksburg St. Aloysius. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m.

Also on tap Friday night is the opener for Coach Tucker Peaveyand his Brookhaven Panthers at King Field. Ole Brook takes on theNorth Pike Jaguars.

Tonight, Enterprise hosts West Lincoln at 7:30.

Both Loyd Star and Bogue Chitto got a preseason look at itsrespective teams in a football jamboree last Friday night.

“We want to play hard and protect the football,” said Loyd Starhead coach Ryan Ross. “And try not to beat ourselves. We are stilltrying to find ourselves. We want to play a physical brand offootball. We have a close nit group of kids that have worked hard.I expect a lot from them.”

Loyd Star was 3-6 on the season and 1-5 in the Region 6-2A lastyear.

Starting for Loyd Star on offense is Marquis Hayes (5-9, 148,soph.) at split end. Working at flanker is Antoine Smith (6-0, 187,sr.). The quarterbacks are David Fields (5-11, 170, jr.) and JosephShelby (6-0, 170, jr.). T.J. Floyd (5-11, 175, jr.) and PrestonHebert (6-0, 174, sr.) are the tight ends.

The Hornet offensive line includes Jacob Morse ( 6-2, 246, sr.)at right tackle. Jarius Kelly (6-1, 200, sr.) is right guard. ClintScott (6-0, 218, jr.) is the center. Grant Britt (6-1, 200, sr.) isthe left guard. Trey Reid (6-2, 271, jr.) is the left tackle. JoshSmith (5-9, 176, sr.) and Tradereous ‘Poo’ Wilson (6-0, 190, jr.)are the halfbacks.

Defensively, starting at the right corner is Hayes. Fred Clark(5-10, 155, jr.) starts at left corner. Preston Hebert (6-0, 174,sr.) is the bandit (safety). Tradarius Williams (5-10, 153, sr.) isat safety. Andrew Rushing (5-9, 160, sr.) and T. J. Floyd areinside linebackers. David Fields (5-11, 170, jr.) and Antoine Smith(6-0, 187, sr.) work at outside linebacker. Craig Harris (5-10,165, jr.) is the nose guard. Grant Britt (6-1, 200, sr.) at rightend. Jarius Kelly (6-1, 200, sr.) is at left end.

Loyd Star nipped McClain 13-12 in last season’s opener.

Bogue Chitto, under head coach Garreth Sartin, finished the 2007campaign with an 8-3 overall record and third place in the Region4-1A with an 8-2 worksheet. Bogue Chitto fell to Durant 49-20 inthe opening round of the Class 1A state football playoffs.

Sartin’s 4-year-old son is hospitalized in Jackson for tests.Assistant coaches Chad Norton and Adam Moak have been leading theBobcats in practice.

“We have had a good week of practice,” said Norton. “We havepulled together and picked up the slack. We have had a couple ofgood days.”

Starting on the offensive line for Bogue Chitto is senior FredTillman at right tackle, senior Josh Wallace at right guard, seniorBlake Sasser at center, sophomore Tevin Tobias at left guard,sophomore Lenell Bryant at left tackle and senior Jerry Fry attight end.

The starting Bobcat quarterback is senior Seth Avants. The widereceivers are seniors D.J. Turner and Brian Robinson. SophomoreBryon Kersee is the tailback. Playing fullback is junior ColeLaird.

The defensive line consists of senior Luther Watts at nose guardand Tillman and Josh Wallace at tackle. The outside linebackers aresenior Rico Wells and Kersee. Senior Josh Graham starts at middlelinebacker. The strong safety is sophomore Shaun Wallace. JuniorJames Anderson is the rover.

The cornerbacks are Turner and Robinson.

Playing free safety is freshman Colton McClendon.

Working as punter is Avants. Sophomore Shane Lewis serves as thekicker.

“It is a region game,” added Norton. “You don’t get a break. Youhave to play to the best of your ability.”

Last year, Bogue Chitto defeated St. Al 34-6. The Flashes areunder the direction of new head coach Billy Joe Smithhart.