NATCHEZ — The Trojans need to find their identity if they want to repeat as district champs in 2008.

Entering his second season as head football coach at Ferriday High School, Freddie Harrison will hope to avoid a sophomore slump while replacing 13 seniors.

In doing so, Harrison said the team needs to find an identity.

“You can’t bank on what last year’s team did, this is a new year.

“Once we set our identity, I can tell you what kind of team we have.”

Harrison went onto say that he’s not quite sure when the Trojan’s true identity will surface. “(It) may be the last week of the season. They’re going to do what they want when they want — may happen over the summer or week five of the season.”

If the Trojans want to repeat their success from a season ago the sooner they find their identity the better.

Last season the Trojans were 11-1 and were just a year removed from the Louisiana 1-A state championship game.

Although the team has had success in the past, Harrison doesn’t see the pressure as a burden, but rather motivation.

“The tradition at Ferriday High has always been rich,” Harrison said. “You can’t say Ferriday High and nobody know about them.

“You always want to keep something going.”

During the spring, Harrison said his team answered several questions which were left by the departures of their seniors. Among those question marks was what to do with the now vacant quarterback, receiver and linebacker positions.

“It’s real hard to replace those guys,” Harrison said. “After four years that’s it — they’re done. It’s not like the NFL.

“We’ve got some young guys who are going to fill in”

On offense, Kendrick Lewis’ quarterback position will be filled by Rodney Lawson.

“He’s a real young kid with not a lot of experience,” Harrison said. “But he’s been with the program and had a year to learn.”

SHAKE-AND-BAKE COMBO TO LEAD OFFENSE

Even though Harrison said he expects Lawson to be a leader on offense, Harrison said his running backs will be the driving force that moves the chains.

Leading the charge on the ground will be juniors Bobby Madison and Naico Armado.

“(They’re) a fastball and a curveball,” Harrison described. “One comes hard at you and the other comes at you and then can cut on a dime.

“One’s a scat-back, and the other is a bruiser.”

Harrison compared Armado’s style of play to that of LSU’s speedster, Trindon Holliday.

Complementing Armado’s 5-foot-8 slashing running style is Madison.

“Bobby is a hard-nosed runner,” Harrison said. “I know Bobby is going to put his shoulder down and get three yards every time.

“He isn’t afraid to hit anyone.”

Madison, who Harrison described as his stud on offense, will also play outside rover on defense.

Capitalizing on his depth at defense, Harrison said his offensive philosophy is simple.

“Our philosophy is maintain the football, clock control and don’t make mistakes.”

Making holes for Madison and Armado will be an offensive line that returns four of five starters.

“(It’s) really important that you have the strong nucleus up front,” Harrison said.

Because they return four starters on the line, Harrison expects them to play like veterans, and their familiarity with one another should help them communicate.

“They know what to do, they know what to expect and they know how to adjust for the run,” Harrison said.

Leading the offensive line are seniors Brelin Cage and Ryan Brooks. Having played over 45 varsity games during their high school careers, Harrison said he expects Cage and Brooks to be leaders, whether they want to or not.

“They need to step up and lead. They may not want to, but I’m going to make them.”

On the opposite of the ball, Harrison said senior middle linebacker Levier Pryor will lead by example, hard-hitting examples.

“You’ve only got to tell him something once,” Harrison said. “He runs sideline to sideline better than any kid I’ve seen so far — and once he gets there, he’s not afraid to hit.

“He has a never say die attitude.”

Harrison went on to say that Pryor is the best kind of leader.

“He’s a lead-by-example type guy, not a rah-rah type guy. Those guys are the best leaders.”

SPRING ANSWERS QUESTIONS

To conclude spring practices, Ferriday had a three-way controlled scrimmage with Wossman and Franklin Parrish.

“We answered some of our question marks that we had,” Harrison said. “I used it as an opportunity to reward the guys for banging on each other (during practices).”

Two pleasant surprises for the Trojans during their spring practices and games was the emergence of sophomores Marquis Lewis and DeVonta Scott.

“Those kids are really working hard in the off-season and trying to get onto the football field,” Harrison said. “They don’t want to be on the sideline, they want to get on the field and contribute for the team.”

Perhaps the toughest job on the team may go to Lewis. At outside linebacker, Harrison said he will be replacing Jeremy Kelly, who graduated.

“That kid shut the whole side of the field down by himself,” Harrison said of Kelly. “When a kid can stand on one end of the field, and the other team audibles to stay away from him, you know he’s special.”

Last season, Kelly was the district’s defensive MVP.