Ferriday RB Jarvis Brooks looking for a win in final game

Published 12:01 am Thursday, November 1, 2012

Ferriday running back Jarvis Brooks evades the tackle from Vidalia’s Michael Whitley during the first half of the game between the two rivals at the Vidalia Jamboree Aug. 25. The two teams’ regular-season matchup Sept. 14 has been Ferriday’s only win up to this point. (Ben Hillyer \ The Natchez Democrat)

FERRIDAY — Ferriday High School senior Jarvis Brooks will always remember his performance in the Trojans’ matchup with Jonesboro-Hodge earlier this season.

The senior running back rushed for nearly 200 yards and scored two touchdowns, but Ferriday lost a heart-breaker 22-16.

“We played good that game, but we came up short in the end,” Brooks said.

Email newsletter signup

This week, Brooks hopes a win over Lakeside High School will replace a loss to Jonesboro-Hodge as his favorite senior football memory, he said.

“A win would be great, because it would be something to talk about from my senior year,” Brooks said. “Going out with a win would also help the team next year in continuing to get better.”

This year’s Ferriday squad does not have many seniors, but first-year head coach Cleothis Cummings said he has created a close bond with his first senior class.

“They are not ready for it to end,” Cummings said. “But it’s imminent that this is their last ball game, and we still have those guys playing and wanting to win. If they go out and get a win it will sit good with them, because they know they finished strong.”

If the Trojans are able to play an entire game like they played the second half of last week’s loss to Sterlington High School — Ferriday won the second half 26-22 — Cummings thinks they have a chance Friday, he said.

“We just have to put two halves together like the second half versus Sterlington,” he said. “We had great intensity. They really got after it, and effort is everything.”

A win would also set the tone for the young Trojan players returning next season, Cummings said.

“This game prepares them for what’s coming next year and the years ahead,” he said. “We want them to get comfortable with what we are doing, and just go out and compete.”

Brooks has been a leader for the youngsters this year, and he hopes that his senior season will be something that starts a run of winning at Ferriday.

“I just try to teach them what’s right all the time, not just on the field,” he said. “I tried to teach them everything I know, and it’s up to them to take it and get better.”

But Brooks is also focused on making his last high school football game count, and he said he would keep in mind that it is a game.

“We are focused, but we are still trying to have fun,” Brooks said. “Coach is making sure we are focused, but we need to have fun and go out with a win.

I am trying to cherish all the moments I have left with my teammates and finish up strong.”

Ferriday (1-8, 0-4) will travel to fake Lakeside (3-6, 0-4) at 7 p.m. Friday.