The Loyd Star Hornets dominated the West Lincoln Bears Friday night to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in Region 7-2A. The 60-0 victory at Perry Miller Field ends a two-year playoff drought.

“I am extremely proud of my guys,” said Loyd Star coach Adam Cook. “This was a big win for us to make the playoffs. Our guys came out ready to play and we managed to set the tone of the game early. We are playing extremely well as a team and at the right time as we prepare for the playoffs.

“West Lincoln has a young, but athletic team,” said Cook. “They did not give up and they fought until the very end. Coach Jackson and his coaching staff are doing a great job rebuilding the team.”

With the win, Loyd Star (4-7, 2-3) ends a two-year playoff drought and will travel to Puckett Friday to take on the Wolves in the opening round of the Class 2A state playoffs.

Junior running back Parker Flowers powered the Hornets’ offensive explosion with four touchdowns, finishing with 165 yards rushing on 14 carries, and also had a 71-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Flowers also kicked all the extra point attempts for Loyd Star, finishing 6-of-9 for the night.

In the opening period, Loyd Star wasted no time setting the tone of the contest as junior quarterback Michael Harvey sparked the Hornets’ offense with a 56-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver James Beard with 9:11 remaining.

After stopping the Bears on defense, the Hornets’ offense continued to dominate as Anfernee Claire punched in a three-yard rushing touchdown with 5:48 left.

The Hornets would end the first period with another touchdown drive as Harvey hit Beard for an 88-yard touchdown strike and Loyd Star pushed its lead to 20-0.

In the second quarter, the Hornets outscored the Bears 27-0 to increase their lead to 47-0 at halftime.

Flowers led the charge in the second period with a nine-yard touchdown run and a 28-yard touchdown run.

Tucker Watts punched in a one-yard rushing touchdown and Harvey threw his third touchdown of the night as he connected with Shay Hodges for a seven-yard touchdown.

In the third quarter, Loyd Star picked up where it left off, scoring two quick touchdowns before calling it a night.

Flowers scored both the touchdowns – he returned a 71-yard kickoff for a touchdown to start the third period and later hurled over several Bears to cash in a 28-yard rushing touchdown.

“We knew coming in that this would be a tough challenge,” said West Lincoln coach Charlie Jackson. “Our guys came out and fought hard against a very good Loyd Star team. I know we did not want to finish like this but the injury bug hit us hard this season and we could not recover from it. Overall, I am proud of my guys. They fought hard in every game this season and did not give up.”

Offensively, Harvey finished second in yardage behind Flowers as he completed 4-of-6 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. Beard was the top receiver for the Hornets with two catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Hodges caught two passes for 14 yards and a touchdown.

For the Bears, Nathaniel Addison led the team completing 6-of-15 passes for 53 yards. He also had five carries for 40 yards.

Liam Rutland was the top receiver for the Bears with three catches for 37 yards. Gabe Nations caught a pass for 20 yards.

Defensively, Blake Ramsey directed the Hornets with six tackles. Konner Allen and Nicholas Smith had five tackles each. Zabien Price provided four tackles. Harvey and Claire intercepted a pass each.