Less than a week after leading Chelsea High School to a region championship and just days before a showdown against the school&8217;s biggest rival, the Hornets suspended star running back Davin Palmer.

Palmer was suspended from the team for the remainder of the 2006 season, including the playoffs, for breaking an unspecified team rule, according to Chelsea head coach Wade Waldrop.

Palmer, the son of former Alabama star and NFL player David Palmer, was Shelby County&8217;s leading rusher through nine games with 1,780 yards and 26 touchdowns.

His 86-yard touchdown run and fourth-quarter interception of a Barrett Trotter pass helped Chelsea edge Briarwood 14-7. The victory gave the Hornets the Class 5A, Region 5 title.

Chelsea entered Friday&8217;s game against rival Shelby County looking to avenge last season&8217;s loss to the Wildcats at Chelsea Field.

The Hornets host J.O. Johnson in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs, Nov. 10