BROOKHAVEN — The Franklin County Bulldogs and the Loyd Star Hornets haven’t seen each other in three decades, but the Bulldogs won’t soon forget their new foes.

Franklin County went into the game ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, but left on the receiving end of a stunning 12-0 defeat at the hands of the Hornets.

What was perhaps even more surprising was that Class 2A Loyd Star went right at the Bulldogs throughout the game.

“They were more physical than we were. We weren’t able to get off the field,” Franklin County head coach Trent Hammond said. “We had three turnovers out of four possessions. You can’t win games that way. You can’t score without the ball.”

Loyd Star (1-0) scored all of its points in the first quarter on a 3-yard run by No. 5 (no name given) and an 11-yard run by No. 3. After that, it was up to the defense to deliver and delivered it did. Franklin County (0-1) was held to just 95 yards in total offense – all on the ground – and forced four turnovers.

Led by No. 21, who had 88 yards rushing on 21 carries, and No. 5, who had 19 carries for 68 yards, the Hornets racked up 217 yards on the ground.

“They’ve got a big 220-pound fullback and we’ve got these 160-pound scatbacks and they took it at us,” Hammond said.

Dehendret Collins led the Bulldogs on the ground with nine carries for 47 yards and Tevin Thomas had five carries for 21 yards. Defensively, Ladarrious Hunt had 18 carries and one fumble recovery.