Joseph Shelby made his senior homecoming game something toremember. The Loyd Star quarterback ran for two touchdowns andpassed for another pair, leading the Hornets to a 42-14 trouncingof the Madison St. Joseph Bruins on William E. “Sambo” SmithField.

Around 1,300 fans watched as Shelby and the Hornets hiked theirperfect record to 6-0 overall and 1-0 in the Region 6-2A race. Itset up a Thursday night showdown at unbeaten Wesson (6-0, 1-0) inCo-Lin’s Stone Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Due to a shoulder injury, Shelby missed most of Loyd Star’s gameagainst North Pike two weeks ago. Last week’s open date gave himmore time to heal.

“My shoulder is about 90 percent,” said Shelby. “My offensiveline made some good blocks for me on those (touchdown) runs. Ourpassing game is OK but it needs to get better, especially forWesson.”

Shelby and Loyd Star coach Ryan Ross said the Hornets got off toa sloppy start but improved as the game progressed. TradareousWilson gave the home crowd a cheering opportunity when he brokeloose on a 63-yard rumble, followed by his TD run 7 playslater.

Chris Buie kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 5:02 leftin the first quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, SJ’s Stephen Cofer showcased hisbreakaway speed with an 85-yard TD return. Chase Blossman kickedthe PAT and it was 7-7.

Loyd Star responded with 5 unanswered touchdowns and Coach FlipGodfrey’s Bruins (2-5, 0-1) never recovered. The Hornets got adazzling 73-yard TD run by Marquis Hayes early in the secondquarter, putting the Hornets permanently ahead.

Shelby hooked up with Hayes on a 54-yard TD pass, followed thatwith a 1-yard plunge and a 35-yard toss to McKinley Hamilton whomade a leaping catch at the goal line. Loyd Star led 35-7 athalftime.

Shelby rushed 25 yards for a fourth-quarter TD. He completed 5of 11 passes for 116 yards and threw 2 interceptions. He rushed 14times for 48 yards.

“I’m proud to see Joseph come back after that injury,” saidRoss. “He has the experience and he can lead us.”

Ross said homecoming festivities had distracted many of hisplayers as Queen Leah Britt reigned over the celebration. “We cameout and played sloppy early in the game. We finally settled in andacted like we were ready to play some football.”

Hayes, a junior speedster, finished with14 rushes for 131yards.

On defense, senior linebacker David Fields led the Hornets with9 tackles. Linebacker T.J. Floyd made 8 tackles. Travis Sorrels had5 stops as the Hornets limited the Bruins to a minus-16 yardsrushing and 123 yards total offense.

SJ wide receiver Matt Sigler caught 5 passes for 102 yards,including a 54 TD toss from quarterback Peyton Willoughby late inthe fourth quarter.

Intercepting passes for the Hornets were Korey Allen, MarquisSims and Fred Clark.