At the onset of the 2007 high school football season, the number one goal for the Lafayette Hornets was to fulfill an inclusive dream of winning a state championship. This was thought to be the year for coach Joey Pearson and the Hornets with an experienced senior team returning. But those dreams were shattered last Friday night in a 21-6 setback to a very strong North Florida Christian School out of Tallahassee.

While the Hornet’s defense continued to be strong it was the offense that had difficulties in finding any ground game at all against the visitors front line. The Hornets managed only 99-yards (unofficial) on the ground and senior running back Eric McIntyre had 48 of those, a super performance for the Hornet back. All-stater Chad Hempstead had the distance on his passing but several were too long in leading the receivers. Outside a 87-yard touchdown completion to Jamal Reid, Hempstead found little weakness in North Florida’s secondary.

Hempstead finished with 145-yards on nine of 23 passing. The senior quarterback tried to help the running game for Lafayette with 39-yards rushing on eight carries. Outside of McIntyre and Hempstead, the Hornets got little ground game against the North Florida front line.

Melvin Bell, wide out for North Florida, showed that he was worthy of all the press when he hauled down six catches for 126-yards receiving. Bell signed with Alabama during the football signing period.

The early breaks went North Florida’s way in the first half. Several times North Florida found themselves facing third and long yardage only to come up with a big play that netted them a long drive. In the second period, facing a third and long on their own 37-yard line, quarterback Austin Trainor hit Bell with a 42-yard completion putting the ball at the Hornets 7-yard line. After being assessed a 5-yard penalty, Trainor found Darrius McQueen in the flats for a 10-yard completion and the game’s first score. The extra point gave the visitors a 7-0 lead with 3:19 to play in the second quarter.

After a three-and-out for Lafayette, North Florida got excellent field position at the 50-yard line. It took seven plays for Clint Tackett to find Dayne Read in the end zone. The PAT gave North Florida a 14-0 lead at the half.

As the third quarter unfolded, North Florida took first possession and marched 85-yards on 15 plays to go up 21-0 with 6:21 to play in the third period. Downfield coverage was not there for the Hornets during the drive with Tackett passing for 74-yards in moving the football upfield.

Lafayette avoided being shutout when they struck in the fourth quarter. On first down play, Hempstead went deep where Reid hauled in a pass good for 87-yards and the lone Hornet score. Blade Herring missed the point after.

The Hornets finish the season with an excellent 11-2 mark. The loss ended the Hornets 11 game winning streak. North Florida advances on to the championship game in Class 1A tomorrow in Orlando.