BOGUE CHITTO – The Possum Trophy will stay at Loyd Star another year.

The Hornets opened the season with a 32-20 win over Bogue Chitto at Troy Smith Field Friday night.

Bogue Chitto entered the contest seeking revenge after a beat down by Loyd Star last season.

Early in the first quarter, Bogue Chitto’s and Loyd Star’s defenses kept points off the board. The Hornets managed to break up the scoreless contest after recovering a muffed punt. Loyd Star’s Parker Flowers would put the Hornets on the scoreboard on a seven-yard touchdown run with 6:42 remaining in the first quarter.

On the following possession, Kobe Roberts helped his Bobcats with a big run and reception play to put Bogue Chitto in the redzone.

At the 1:49 mark of the first quarter, the Hornets’ defense would hold the Bobcats out of the endzone, forcing BC to turn the ball over on downs.

At the 1:00 mark, Flowers marched the Hornets down the field to set up a quick scoring play as James Beard caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Flowers. Loyd Star was successful on the two-point conversion to end the quarter leading 14-0.

In the second quarter, Bogue Chitto’s offense managed to work the ball down the field as Tucker Lambert caught a pass to give the Bobcats a first down. The Hornets’ defense would end BC’s drive and force the Bobcats to punt at the 8:34 mark.

Loyd Star’s offense returned to the field in the second quarter and looked to continue their offensive rhythm as Flowers provided a 20-yard scamper at the 6:35 mark to keep their drive going. But Bogue Chitto’s defense would later force the Hornets to fumble the ball as Sherman Jackson came up with a big recovery.

After the fumble recovery, the Bobcats’ offense responded with a quick burst of energy as Lambert caught a 15-yard pass to advance BC down the field. Dee Dillon would later put Bogue Chitto on the scoreboard with 44-yard touchdown reception at the 4:52 mark.

The Hornets would quickly answer BC’s challenge, when Flowers marched Loyd star down the field and scored on a 15-yard run with 2:25 remaining. The Hornets would cash in another touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half, as Flowers sprinted 76-yards to paydirt. Loyd Star carried a 26-6 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Bobcats came out fired up and forced the Hornets to turn the ball over on downs to set up a quick scoring drive as Lambert caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Connor Douglas to cut into Loyd Stars’ lead at 26-14.

On Loyd Star’s next offensive possession, BC’s Kody Halford intercepted a pass with 3:51 remaining. After two 15-yard penalties, the Bobcats’ offensive would score with three seconds left in the third quarter when Lambert caught a 20-yard touchdown pass to cut down the Hornets’ lead to 26-20.

With three seconds remaining, Loyd Star’s Javion Beard would find the endzone on a 40-yard run to close the offensive slugfest at 32-20.

In the fourth quarter, Loyd Star and Bogue Chitto worked the ball back and forth as the clock ran out.

Offensively, Javion Beard powered the Hornets’ rushing attack with nine carries for 126 yards. Parker Flowers contributed 118 yards on 14 carries.

Flowers completed 3-of-7 passes for 49 yards. James Beard was the top receiver with two catches for 41 yards.

For Bogue Chitto, Connor Douglas directed the Bobcats, completing 11-of-19 passes for 174 yards, while rushing for 42 yards on 10 carries.

Kobe Roberts helped the BC ground attack with 13 rushes for 67 yards.

Tucker Lambert led all receivers for the Bobcats with five catches for 118 yards. Dee Dillon had three receptions for 60 yards.

Defensively for the Bobcats, Sherman Jackson, Kobe Roberts, and Demarcus Godbolt led the team with eight tackles apiece. Connor Douglas contributed with six tackles. Kody Halford had five tackles and an interception. Kobly Hart finished with five tackles.

For the Hornets, Flowers led the team with 13 tackles. Lakin Wallace provided 11 tackles. Braden Ezell had eight stops.

The Bobcats will travel across the river to take on another Lincoln County rival, the Enterprise Yellow Jackets, Thursday night at 7 p.m. The Hornets will travel to Florence to take on McLaurin Friday night at 7 p.m.