FERRIDAY — Neither team scored in the first half, but Ferriday was the first to stumble as they lost an important District 2-2A game to Farmerville 20-7 at home.

“I have to tip my hat to that team,” Ferriday head coach Freddie Harrison said. “They know how to win.”

The Ferriday defense held Farmerville’s offense to 40 total yards in the first half.

The Farmers’ closest chance at scoring came on a missed field goal attempt in the second quarter.

After the half, each team continued to struggle on offense, but the Farmers finally pulled eight points out of their pocket on a 5-yard touchdown run by Eric Loyd.

Loyd led all runners with 51 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

A three-and-out led to Ferriday punting the ball and Farmerville scored on the very next play via a 69-yard pass from Coredrious Nations to Carl Pearson to give the Farmers a 14-0 lead.

Pearson led all receivers with two catches for 128 yards and a touchdown.

The Trojans stumbled through the rest of the third and entered the fourth quarter down 14-0.

Ferriday quarterback Rodney Lawson threw an interception on the second play of the fourth quarter and the Trojans lost any momentum they may have had.

The Trojans finally scored late in the fourth on 30-yard pass from Lawson to Kendall Boxley to cut the lead to 13, but it was too late.

“One thing about it is that my guys played their hearts out,” Harrison said. “Our offense just sputtered out. It was the difference in the game.”

The Trojans fall to 4-5 on the season and 0-3 in district play while Farmerville improves to 8-1 on the season.

Ferriday will host Lake Providence next week for another District 2-2A contest.