FERRIDAY — The Ferriday High School football team was averaging just 6.5 points per game in its four losses going into last Friday’s game against Jonesboro-Hodge.

The Trojans managed 16 points against the Tigers, but ended up dropping the game 22-16. Despite the loss, sophomore wide receiver Trey Hall said he saw some bright spots.

“Our line was clicking, and we were getting better at understanding our game,” he said. “Everybody was on the same chapter,”

Hall said the determining factor in the loss was the Trojans inability to play four quarters and put the game away, and head coach Cleothis Cummings agreed.

“It all comes down to effort,” Cummings said. “We just have to get out and finish a game, and we haven’t been able to do that. We played probably our best game on offense, and our defense took a step back.”

Hall said he knows his role as a wide receiver in a balanced offense, and as much as he likes to catch passes, he still has to focus on blocking in practice.

“Blocking you treat just like you are running the ball,” he said. “You try to get that man down, so the runner can go.”

Hall said his blocking allows him to lead by example as a sophomore, and he knows his role as a leader will be more important the next two years.

“My job is just playing hard and getting the underclassmen straight,” he said. “Because I know I have big shoes to fill (when the upperclassmen leave).”

The sophomore receiver knows Friday’s opponent, Homer High School, presents a great challenge, but he thinks the Trojans have an opportunity to get a big win.

“People are counting this as a loss, because it’s Homer,” he said. “But I don’t think so. If we work hard at practice, we have a chance to surprise a lot of people.”

To do so, the Trojans will have to slow down a powerful running game, and control some really good athletes, Cummings said.

“We’re going to have to stop what they do best, which is run the ball,” Cummings said.

Ferriday has started its season 1-5, but Friday’s loss was the first in LHSAA District 2-2A. Cummings told his players that the district record is all that matters at this point.

“I tell them not to look at the record,” he said. “We’re only 0-1, and we still have the opportunity to come out and play well against a good opponent Friday, and get a win at home to go 1-1.”

A district championship is still in the eyes of the Trojan players, Hall said.

“Everybody wants to win and try to get the district championship,” Hall said.

But the Trojans mental toughness will be more important than adjusting to Homer’s game plan, Hall said.

“We just have to practice hard and have dedication,” he said.

Ferriday (1-5, 0-1) will host Homer (4-2, 1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday.