It was a black night for the Madison St. Joseph Bruins. Theyencountered a sea of black Loyd Star jerseys and self-destructedwith 7 turnovers as the Hornets roared to a 56-3 Friday nighthomecoming victory on William E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

Junior running back Tradareous Wilson made sure his seniorteammates, homecoming queen Shannon Chester and the large partisancrowd had a night to celebrate, scoring 4 touchdowns in the Region6-2A triumph. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Wilson rushed for 143 yardsand scored touchdowns on runs of 24, 1, 6 and 30 yards.

Asked about the touchdowns, Wilson said, “I give all the creditto our offensive line. They hit the blocks and I ran through theholes.”

It was the second time this season for Loyd Star to wear theblack jerseys, ditching the usual red or white. The first time theywore black; the Hornets were whipped 35-10 by archrival WessonSept. 19.

“It (black) makes us look better,” said Wilson, smiling. “Wehaven’t won homecoming in about five years. It’s great for ourseniors to win it.”

Loyd Star head coach Ryan Ross watched his team roar to a 28-3halftime lead. The Hornets, 3-5 overall, are 2-3 in the region raceand can qualify for the state playoffs with a victory over thevisiting McLaurin Tigers (2-3, 6-3) Friday night, Oct. 31.

Ross said he began thinking about the McLaurin game when theHornets increased their third quarter lead to 42-3. “We need tobeat McLaurin to make the playoffs.”

Ross said the victory over St. Joe buried the so-called blackjersey jinx. “I’m glad to get a homecoming win.”

Asked about his defensive unit’s 5 interceptions, Ross said,”St. Joe’s strength has been throwing the football. We focused onthat all week at practice.”

Defensive backs Antione Smith and Fred Clark each intercepted 2passes. Traderius Williams had the other theft.

“(St. Joe) tried to double-team and crack me,” said Smith, 1 of11 seniors on the squad. “I looked up, saw the ball and slapped itdown.”

The Bruins (1-4, 2-7), coached by former Canton Academy mentorFlip Godfrey, launched an impressive drive with the game-openingkickoff. They reached Loyd Star’s 4-yard line before losing 10yards on third down and settling for a 30-yard field goal by ChaseBlossman.

That was the last time the Bruins would celebrate on a coldnight in Lincoln County. Marquis Hayes returned the ensuing kickoff91 yards to paydirt, Chris Buie kicked his first of 8 extra pointsand the rout was under way.

Loyd Star chalked up 3 second-quarter touchdowns. QuarterbackJoseph Shelby scored on a 1-yard sneak, followed by Wilson going 24and 1 yards for TDS. His second TD was set up when St. Joe’s fakepunt became an intercepted pass, picked off by Clark at the Bruins’25-yard line.

Williams had the next theft and it launched a 67-yard scoringmarch in 5 plays. A 23-yard pass from Shelby to Hayes reached SJ’s1-yard line.,

The Hornets marched 88 yards in 12 plays with their firstpossession of the second half. Wilson scored off left tackle and itwas 35-3.

After Wilson bolted 30 yards on a tackle-breaking play and Buiekicked the extra point, it was 42-3 with 49 seconds left in thethird quarter.

Ross called on his offensive reserves to finish the game. SJquarterbacks Luke Younger and Peyton Willoughby threw back-to-backinterceptions in the final frame.

The Hornets got a 36-yard return by Smith to the SJ 1 and TravisSorrels scored on the next play. Clark returned the next pick15-yards to the SJ 30. Marquis Sims galloped to the end zone onfirst down, with 8:33 left to play.

Defensively, Smith led the Hornets with 14 tackles, including 4solo stops. Andrew Rushing had 11 tackles, Sorrels10 and T.J. Floyd9.