For the Wesson Cobras, especially the seniors, Friday night’s Region 6-2A game against archrival Loyd Star was something to remember because of the domination the Cobras displayed in the 39-7 triumph.

      Loyd Star head coach Randall Huffman offered this after the game, “We are really young and Wesson did a really good job up front on the lines. We’ve got to make blocks to give our guys a chance to make plays.”

     Wesson established control of the game early. After three strong runs by Wesson junior fullback Otis Smith, the Cobras scored on a 50-yard touchdown run by senior running back Antonio Miller, the very first time he touched the ball. Wesson senior kicker Koy McFarland added the extra point to put the Cobras ahead 7-0 with only 2:06 off of the clock in the first quarter.

     Loyd Star committed the first of six turnovers on the first offensive play from scrimmage when the pass from Hornets quarterback Seth Farmer was caught and fumbled by receiver Cori Crowe. After the Cobras recovered, the Wesson rushing attack covered 27 yards before junior running back Nick Lewis ran into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, putting the Cobras up 13-0 in the middle of the first quarter.

     Farmer and running back Peyton Flowers tried to pass and rush their team back into the game, but the drive fizzled and the Hornets gave the ball back to Wesson with 4:44 left in the first quarter. That was plenty of time for Wesson junior quarterback Bailey Warren, who rushed for 26 yards to set up a 7-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Farrod Green at the goal line and put the Cobras up 19-0. The extra point attempt was blocked by the Hornets. More than two minutes remained in the first quarter.

     The Hornets were able to move the ball against the Cobras defense with a 15-yard pass from Farmer to Crowe and with a 15-yard run by Hornets running back Brett Calcote, but a Farmer pass was intercepted by Wesson’s McFarland at the Cobras 6-yard line early in the second quarter.

     After fumbles were lost by both teams, Wesson got back on track with a Miller 11-yard touchdown run on an option toss by Warren. The McFarland extra point put the Cobras ahead 26-0 with 2:09 left in the second quarter.

     The Hornets came out for the third quarter displaying more energy and determination, but Wesson senior Alex Smith stepped in front of a Farmer pass for an interception.

     Loyd Star had another turnover. On the second play of the drive, Wesson senior linebacker Quinton Lindsey stripped the Hornets runner of the ball and bullied his way to the Hornets 3-yard line. Smith carried the ball into the end zone for a 3-yard score. The McFarland extra point made it 33-0 with 3:14 left  in the third quarter.

     After a 31-yard kickoff return by Loyd Star’s Peyton Flowers, the Hornets offense moved to the Wesson 34-yard line before McFarland made his second interception of the night at the Cobras 15-yard line.     

     “The coaches challenged the defensive backs to get back on track with interceptions, so we got him three of them tonight,” said McFarland. “Alex made a great catch for his pick. We’d been covering slants all night. We watched film and knew that their quarterback could throw the deep ball, so we knew we had to step up.”

     After a 6-yard quarterback keeper, Calcote sprinted past Wesson defenders down the Hornets sidelines for a 24-yard touchdown run. Crowe added the extra point to make the score 33-7 midway through the fourth quarter.

     Wesson wasn’t finished scoring. With sophomore quarterback Tyler Christmas and sophomore running back Michael Hauer leading the way, the Cobras marched to the Loyd Star 9-yard line before Hauer ran in for the final score of the game.      McFarland’s final extra point was blocked by the  hornets.

     Wesson head coach Ronald Greer was pleased with the team’s effort. “We’re excited to get a win in this rivalry, especially because it’s a district game. We had a total team effort for the first time in several games. We still have to improve in a few areas, mainly in tackling, but I’m proud of the effort offensively and defensively by our guys tonight.”

     Offensively, the Hornets were led by Calcote who had 9 rushes for 65 yards and a touchdown. The Cobras were paced by Miller’s 16 rushes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.

     Defensively, the Hornets were led by Branden Canny’s 9 tackles. Flowers had 8 tackles. The Cobras Ryan Spears led the Wesson defensive effort with 7 tackles.

     Loyd Star (0-6) visits Puckett Friday night. Wesson (5-2, 2-0) is home to Enterprise.