Ferriday has something to prove. After a 34-0 loss to Franklin Parish last week, the Trojans are looking to turn things around. Enter the Block Bears, who will head to Ferriday to take on the Trojans at 7 p.m. tonight.

But beating Block won’t be easy. The Bears started out their season Friday with an 18-0 drubbing of Vidalia. Block head coach Chad Harkins said his team isn’t as good as it’s going to be.

&uot;We’re where we need to be at this point. We’re getting better every week,&uot; Harkins said. &uot;I don’t think there’s any danger of peaking too early or anything like that.&uot;

Quarterback Scotty Cage and the Ferriday offense had some success moving the ball against Franklin Parish, but Cage completed only 12 of his 29 passing attempts. Running back Montario Tennessee had 17 carries for 131 yards for Ferriday.

But moving the ball won’t be good enough. Ferriday has to find a way to put the ball in the end zone. Through one game and one jamboree scrimmage, the Trojan offense has yet to put a single point on the board. That will have to change.

On the other side of the ball, Ferriday has few concerns. The Trojans defense is probably the best in its district.

&uot;I thought their defense was solid all the way around,&uot; Harkins said. &uot;They’re a very physical team.&uot;

Over at Block, Harkins is trying to keep things simple for his team early in season as he continues to work on the fundamentals.

&uot;We’re just doing what we always do,&uot; Harkins said. &uot;Blocking and tackling, running and passing. It’s not real hard or complicated, but it’s what you have to work on.&uot;

Last week, the Block offense, led by running back Johnny Lee, scored three touchdowns. Lee had 168 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown.

But there’s history on Ferriday’s side. Over the years, the Trojans have often had the better of Block in their contests, something which Harkins is well aware.

&uot;It’s always a tough game. Block’s not accustomed to beating Ferriday,&uot; Harkins said.

Newellton at Vidalia

The Vikings know all too well just how good Block can be. Coming off an 18-0 loss to Block, Vidalia should have a better chance this week against Newellton. The Newellton Bears are 0-1 on the young season and have shown any signs of being a contender this season.

Two weeks ago at the Vidalia jamboree, the Bears could only manage a 6-6 tie against Vidalia’s junior varsity squad. Now they’ll have to take on the big boys.

The Bears have just ten players on the roster that are sophomores, juniors or seniors. The rest of the team is filled out with freshmen, seventh and eighth graders.

Vidalia, on the other hand, is one of the favorites to win its district this year and has good depth at most positions. The Vikings, too, are young this year and may have suffered from that in the opening loss to Block.