PHOTOS BY CHERI JAY-WIENECKE Above: Hornet Adam Trejo, (4), works to bring down the ball carrier in Lometa's 11-point win over Zephyr last Friday night, while David Cruz, below, (13), tries to strip the ball away. The Lometa Hornets received more than just a check in the win column after defeating Zephyr last Friday night.

They also got some lofty recognition.

Lometa's 44-33 defeat of the second best team in six-man Division II football earned it the title of "Army Strong Team of the Week" from Dave Campbell's Texas Football.

"By knocking off one of the top teams in the state, the Hornets definitely stole the spotlight," general manager of Dave Campbell's Texas Football Adam Hochfelder said in a press release.

The honor is very meaningful, said Hornets head coach Wendell Bradley.

"We were excited," he said. "We've struggled around here beating teams who were supposed to beat us. This was a watershed game, and we've turned a corner."

Lometa fell behind early in the game, trailing 13-6 in the first quarter. Thanks to a 30-point outburst in the second quarter, the Hornets took a 36-13 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Zephyr bounced back in the second half, outscoring the Hornets 20-8, but it was not enough.

Lometa quarterback David Cruz played an extremely efficient game, completing six of 10 passes for 195 yards. He also accounted for almost all the Hornets' points, passing for five touchdowns in the contest and kicking four field goals.

Eric Belyeu was the only other player to reach the end zone, returning a kickoff for a touchdown.

Scott Hernandez and Brandon Faubion each received a pair of Cruz's touchdown tosses, and Bubba Salinas scored a 75-yard touchdown on his only catch of the game.

"We were emotional and fired up but not out of control," Bradley said. "We had a chip on our shoulder."

Cruz certainly appeared to have something to prove. In addition to his offensive performance, he was dominant on defense, recording 10 tackles, recovering a fumble and picking off a pair of Zephyr passes.

Seniors Bubba Salinas and Faubion each accounted for eight tackles.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Hornets, as they must face the defending Division I state champion Richland Springs tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Lometa.

"They'll be very well prepared and very well coached," Bradley said of the opponent.

The Hornets are in the middle of a four-game home stand with tough contests against both Cherokee and May looming ahead.

"I'd just assume go on the road [because] it is an us-against-them mentality," Bradley said. "Sometimes it's just too comfortable at home."

Lometa's junior varsity team was equally impressive against Zephyr, shutting out the Bulldogs 42-0.

Quarterback Dylan Straley completed five of six passes for 39 yards and a touchdown to Colt Maldonado.

Dillon Aldy rushed for 69 yards and a pair of scores, and Marco Hernandez also reached the end zone on a short run.

On defense, Hernandez and Hector Rivera each tallied an interception, returning both for touchdowns.