FERRIDAY, La. – Rodney Loyd hasn’t played football since 1998. That may not seem like a long time to most people, but for Loyd, it’s been forever.

Fortunately for Loyd and Ferriday High School, the former Trojan defensive end is returning to football as defensive line and strength and conditioning coach of the Trojan football team.

&uot;It’s just good to be back out on the field and around the game,&uot; Loyd said. &uot;It was hard for me last year to not even be around the game, but this is going to help. I&160;just love being around the game. Coaching has brought back what was missing in my life.&uot;

Loyd, who graduated from Ferriday High School in 1993, was a standout defensive end at Louisiana Tech from 1994-98.

Now he hopes to mold current Trojans as a new assistant coach for the Ferriday football team.

&uot;I’m real excited to be back home around all my friends and family,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;I&160;just want to contribute to the kids around here and the community in any way that I can,&uot; Loyd said. &uot;I&160;want to see the Ferriday football program succeed, do well and go as far as I&160;know they can go.&uot;&160;

Loyd, who graduated from Louisiana Tech in 1999 with a degree in industrial organizational phsychology, feels that with the caliber of the athletes returning this fall, the Trojans will be hard to stop come playoff time.

&uot;I’ve seen a lot of positive things going on this spring,&uot;&160;Loyd said. &uot;With .. the fact that our defense is going to be loaded, we’re going to be a hard team to beat. I&160;feel like we’re going to be up there with the West Monroes and the Evangels because those teams would come for camps over the summer at Louisiana Tech, and from what I saw of them, I&160;feel we can hang with them.&uot;

Loyd said that while it was hard for a time after his playing days were over, his new coaching position will help.

Loyd believes he will help a good deal.

&uot;I&160;know a lot about the game on a college level, and I&160;feel that if I&160;can get these kids to do what I&160;ask, Ferriday football will improve tremendously.&uot;

&uot;I&160;have a lot of pride in the Ferriday football program, and I&160;want to see it prosper.&uot;