FERRIDAY, La. – The Trojans finished the 2000 regular season 9-1, District 3-2A runners-up and ranked in the top 10 among 2A schools in Louisiana.

After the final seconds ticked off the clock Friday, none of that mattered. It’s a new season, but one not all teams get to enjoy.

&uot;We’re out,&uot; Vidalia coach Dee Faircloth said after the Vikings’ 43-0 loss. The Vikings finished the season 4-6 with a young team in which he sees potential.

&uot;When we lost 20 seniors (last year to graduation), we knew we weren’t going to the Dome. We basically had a brand-new football team,&uot; he said. &uot;A lot of these kids are coming back. It’s a learning process.&uot;

Ferriday will likely retain its No. 4 seed in the state playoff rankings, meaning the Trojans will host the No. 29 seed next week.

&uot;I don’t think the win will raise us, but we won’t drop any,&uot; Ferriday coach James McFarland said. &uot;That’s what’s important.&uot;

McFarland will attend a meeting in Baton Rouge Sunday to learn who the Trojans will face, he said.

Regardless of the opponent, Ferriday quarterback Tyrrence Taylor knows what it will take to win. &uot;We need to bring our A-game,&uot; he said. &uot;From tonight until December, that’s what we need to do.&uot;