Ferriday High’s football team hits the long road today to open Class 2A playoff action in Vinton, which is located in southwest Louisiana.

&uot;This is our longest drive,&uot; said Ferriday head coach James McFarland. &uot;Quite naturally that can be tough. We’ve got a chartered bus to help alleviate some of the problems.&uot;

Both teams finished second in their divisions.

Vinton was second to Many in District 5-2A, while Ferriday, 6-4, was second to Vidalia in District 3-2A.

&uot;They’ve got a good football team,&uot; McFarland said of the Lions. &uot;They run the ball out of the wing T and do and exceptional job. They seem to be real disciplined and are real good on defense.&uot;

Ferriday lost to Vidalia 16-0 last week.

&uot;We’ve had some good practices and we’re still optimistic about how we are going to do. Everybody seems ready to go.&uot;

Last year Vinton went unbeaten for the first time in 62 years and advanced all the way to the Class 2A quarterfinals before losing to West St. John 16-12.

Junior Chris Milton (5-9, 175) is Vinton’s leading carrier with about 700 yards.

Senior quarterback David Broussard (5-9, 175) started for the first time this year. He has thrown for about 1,200 yards.

McFarland said Ferriday’s ground game, with Corey Gordon and Cedric Jefferson, will be counted on heavily to keep the Lions from advancing past the first round this year.

&uot;Our offensive line is going to be a key for us,&uot; he said. &uot;And our defensive line is going to have to be able to stop the run. We stopped Vidalia, but we weren’t able to get anything generated on offense.&uot;

The Ferriday offensive line consists of center Dayton Davis, guards Willie Glasper and Marion Harbor and tackles Derrick Minor and Jimall Powell.