FERRIDAY — The New Orleans area is known for having a lot of talented football teams, and Ferriday High School will see one up close Friday night.

The Trojans will host Pope John Paul II High School in the first round of the LHSAA Class 2A playoffs. Head coach Chad Harkins said the Jaguars would bring a lot of different looks on offense.

“They’re a well-coached team that will do a lot of different things on offense and try to throw some wrinkles at you,” Harkins said.

“There are a lot of good teams that come out of (the New Orleans) area, and this team is no different. I think they have a roster of a little over 70 players, and they have 25 seniors.”

With the size of the roster and the amount of talent, the Trojans aren’t expecting a cakewalk.

“This is going to be a challenge,” Harkins said. “Most of those New Orleans teams are pretty playoff-savvy, so we’re looking for a good football atmosphere and a good high school football game.”

The Trojans are the No. 9 seed in the Class 2A playoffs, and Harkins said it’s nice having home field advantage in the first round.

“Anytime you play at home in front of these local fans, it’s an advantage,” he said. “Ferriday has a great fan base, and that’s always something our kids are eager to play in front of.”

Harkins was complimentary of his players’ ability to peak at the right time, and said he hopes that will continue going into the postseason.

“I think we’ve preached all year about coming together and peaking at the right time,” Harkins said. “Fortunately, that seems to have been working out for us. We just have to stay focused on what the task is.”

And the Trojan players still have a few things they’d like to accomplish, Harkins said.

“We were able to reach a couple of goals that we set, and there are still a few goals that they’re shooting for,” he said.

“They’re out there, right in front of us. We just have to stay focused and realize if you let this opportunity slip past you, it’s over with.”

With the Trojans’ having made the playoffs three of the last four seasons, including this one, Harkins said it’s nice having players with November experience.

“Anytime you have kids who are used to being in a playoff atmosphere, it’s an advantage,” Harkins said.

“It’s not something you can teach, you just have to experience it.”