LOYD STAR — It took a resilient effort for Loyd Star to come back in the second half and defeat Mize 38-32 to advance to the third round of the MHSAA 2A playoffs Friday Night. Sophomore running back Jordyn Kees said their effort was inspired by fallen teammate Toler Jordan.

Loyd Star broke their post-game huddle yelling “44,” which was Jordan’s number. He was killed in a propane explosion in January along with three others. It is adversity like losing a teammate which has made the team stronger and it showed Friday night.

“It feels great to get this win. We worked hard and i just think it was all our buddy TJ,” Kees said. “He has pushed us all year. He made us want to be the better version of ourselves. He has pushed us and losing him was an example of how you don’t know when your last day is. He just pushes us all, I know he is smiling and I know he wishes he could be here.”

Mize scored the first touchdown of the game 23 seconds in with a 60-yard rush. Loyd Star had to punt back to Mize and it looked like all momentum was in the Bulldogs favor. The Hornets forced a three and out and then scored on a 65-yard touchdown rush by Kees to tie the game with 5:11 left in the first quarter.

Loyd Star’s jubilation would be cut short as Mize scored on another one play, 67-yard touchdown rush to go back up 14-7 with 4:54 in the first quarter. Quarterback Phillip Ross Spencer connected with Tristan Fortenberry on a huge gain to get the Loyd Star offense down to the 18 of Mize.

However, Loyd Star could not score on the drive and ended up turning the ball over on downs. Mize drove the field and was forced to kick a 30-yard field goal to go up 17-7 with 4:58 left in the second quarter.

Loyd Star marched down the field and scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass by Spencer to Fortenberry on fourth down to make it Mize 17-14 Loyd Star with 1:26 in the second quarter. As time seemed to tick away to end the half, Mize’s running back found a hole and raced 68 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldogs led 24-14 at halftime.
During halftime, the father of Mize Offensive Coordinator Sid Wheatley collapsed by the concession stand.

People sprang into action performing CPR and Loyd Star principal Seth Lofton sprinted in with an AED bag until KDMC could arrive on scene. The man was taken to the hospital and his condition at time of publication was unknown.

Loyd Star came out of halftime with a rekindled fire in their bellies and marched down the field to strike first. Kees scored on a one-yard rush and two-point conversion to cut Mize’s lead to two with 6:53 left in the third quarter.

On defense, the Hornets forced a turnover on downs and got a drive going on offense. Kees finally found a hole and sprinted 44 yards for the touchdown. Fortenberry got the two-point conversion to make it 30-24 with 1:40 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Loyd Star forced a fumble on fourth down to get the ball at Mize’s 39-yard line. The Hornets pounded their way down the field and were helped with a pass interference call. Kees picked up a huge first down inside the two and then scored on a one-yard rush. Lajavion Nelson then scored on a two-point conversion to make it Loyd Star 38-24 Mize with 7:18 in the fourth quarter.

Mize pieced together a drive and scored on a two-yard rush to cut the lead to 38-32. Loyd Star fumbled at midfield to give Mize another life. The Hornet defense stepped up and forced an incompletion on fourth down to get the ball back up six with 1:35 left. The game was not over.

Kees had to pick up one last first down to see out the final 10 seconds. As the final whistle blew, players danced around on the field and embraced.

“That first down was not for me. It was for my seniors. I love every single one of them,” Kees said. “They push me every day to be the better version of myself and I have learned a lot from them. This game could not have happened without the o-line either. I’m just thankful to come out with the win, all glory to God.”

Head Coach Adam Smith hugged his coaching staff and players. He reminded them of how much he loved them in the post-game huddle and what his message was at halftime.

“I told you if we win the half you win the game,” Smith said. “You refused to quit or lay down. I love you and I’m proud of you.”

Loyd Star will play Raleigh in the third round of the MHSAA 2A playoffs next Friday.