Senior running back Marquis Hayes rushed 11 times for 123 yardsand caught two passes for 55 yards, scoring two touchdowns as LoydStar capture the Sting Bowl with a 41-7 homecoming victory over theEnterprise Fighting Yellow Jackets Friday night on William E.”Sambo” Smith Field. The Hornets nested 352 total yards on offenseas they kept their hopes alive for the final playoff spot in Region6-2A.

“Our kids gave a good effort,” said Loyd Star head coach RandallHuffman. “We were able to produce a team effort on both sides ofthe ball. We did not allow Enterprise to be able to get the bigplay they needed. And we were able to cut down our mistakes andturnovers to get the win.”

The Hornets (3-6, 2-2) came out of the gates on fire as theycapture a 15-0 lead early in the first quarter.

Running back Marquis Sims managed to get Loyd Star on thescoreboard first as he plowed his way through for a 10 yard rushingtouchdown with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter. Cori Crowe wentthree-for-six on the extra points for the night.

Sims scored his second TD of the night as he dove in 1-yard topaydirt with 4:56 remaining in the first quarter.

The Hornets’ defense managed to capitalize on Enterprise mistake asthe Jackets was pinned up on a double-reverse in the end zoneThomas Allen was tackled by Loyd Star defender Korey Allen for asafety with 3:59 left in the first quarter.

Enterprise (3-6, 1-3) answered with time management as the Jacketsdrained the clock for the remainder of the first quarter and halfof the second quarter before cashing in a 1-yard plunge fromquarterback Cody White with 5:10 left. Lance Springs kicked theextra point for the Fighting Jackets.

The Hornets’ defense steped up after that touchdown and did notallow the Jackets to score the rest of the game.

Loyd Star managed to cushion their lead before going into halftime,when Hayes caught a 42-yard strike from Allen for a touchdown with0:23 remaining in the second quarter. The Hornets took a 21-7 leadover Enterprise at the half.

The third quarter started off as a seesaw battle before Allenmanaged to hook up with Crowe for a 32-yard touchdown pass with8:53 remaining.

In the fourth quarter, Hayes punched in his final touchdown for thegame as he sprinted 35 yards to paydirt with 10:08 remaining.

Loyd Star final touchdown of the night came when Corey Funkscrambled in for a 1-yard TD with 6:06 remaining.

“Both teams played extremely hard,” said Enterprise head coach JoshGarrett. “This game was closer than the score indicated. Loyd Starmanaged to make the plays they needed to win.

“We just made to many mistakes and the Hornets took advantage ofthem. Now, we must regroup and prepare ourselves to get better forthe game next week.”

Defensively, Josh Butler led the Hornets with 10 tackles. CodyTeekel and Cody Funk provided 8 stops apiece. Hayes and Corey Funkintercepted a pass.

Sam Furr led Enterprise defensively with 9 tackles. Trent Sandifer,Jedd Moak and Brad Prather provided 8 tackles apiece. LoganKillingsworth and Moak recovered a fumble.

Allen added some assistance for Loyd Star’s offense as he completed5 of 6 passes for 114 yards. Sims contributed 8 rushes for 64 yardsand caught 2 passes for 27 yards.

Garrett Greer led the Jackets offensively with 17 rushes for 52yards. Prather contributed eight rushes for 39-yards. Chance Owensadded 3 carries for 31-yards. White completed one out of fivepasses for 28 yards. Thomas Allen was the lone receiver with onecatch for 28 yards.

Loyd Star will host the Hinds AHS Bulldogs Friday Night for SeniorNight as the Hornets prepare to play their final game of theregular season. Enterprise returns home to host homecoming andSenior Night against the Madison St. Joseph Bruins for 6-2A action.Kickoff is 7 p.m.