FERRIDAY, La. – Ferriday High junior linebacker/tight end Stanley Smith continues the long line of outstanding Trojan defensive players, going back all the way to Walter Johnson up to current Louisiana Tech linebacker Carlin Thomas.

And he’s honored to be considered in that category.

&uot;I hear all about the old Junkyard Dog defense,&uot; Smith said. &uot;It puts pressure on you because you want to be as good as they were. I think the last few weeks we’ve played good defense and we’re getting better.&uot;

The 6-foot, 179-pound Smith was second team All-Metro on defense as a sophomore last season. He is the top tackler on the team this year, something he attributes to his strength.

&uot;I try to manhandle the person across from me,&uot; said Smith, who lifts 225 pounds in the weight room.

Smith said he enjoys playing linebacker.

I&160;like it because it’s the best spot on defense,&uot; he said. &uot;You’re looking at everything going on.&uot;

As far getting in on a tackle, Smith said you have to know where the play is going.

&uot;It’s all about reading the linemen,&uot; he said. &uot;That tells you which way to go.&uot;

While Smith has been a stalwart on defense, he is seeing just as much action on offense. He has caught three touchdown passes this year and has seven catches for 200 yards.

&uot;I like to catch the ball,&uot; Smith said. &uot;I’m getting a lot more passes this year so I’m working on it a lot more. I’ll come out to practice and catch a lot of balls before we start.&uot;

The Trojans are 4-3 on the season under first-year and longtime assistant coach James McFarland. Former head coach Cordell Bailey is now an assistant coach at University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

&uot;It hasn’t been too much different,&uot;&160;Smith said. &uot;I was glad to see coach McFarland get the job. It would have been tough to adapt to a new coach because we would have had to get used to him and him to us.&uot;

Ferriday visits Crowville Friday, hoping to go 2-0 in district.

&uot;I feel like this is the best group I’ve been on,&uot; Smith said. &uot;Everybody on the team is good. I believe we can go all the way and be champions.&uot;