Ronald Williams threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as the Ferriday Trojans overcame a slow start to defeat the Rayville Hornets 38-29 Friday night in the LHSAA District 2-2A opener for both teams.

“Rayville has a lot of talent. They played well in the first half. They’ve been playing some tough competition,” Ferriday head coach Dwight Woods said.

The Hornets led 6-0 after one quarter of play and just when it seemed the Trojans were about to take the momentum away, they would have an answer. That was until time was winding down in the second quarter.

Ferriday was down 21-12 and needed a spark offensively to seize control of the game. The Trojans got just that when Williams threw two touchdown passes to Carlos Collins to give them a 24-21 halftime lead.

“We had a couple of scores called back. But the kids were able to rise to the occasion,” Woods said. “Late in the second quarter and into the third quarter, you could feel the momentum changing.”

Ferriday scored two touchdowns in the third quarter, including an interception return for a score by Lewis Matthews.

“We made some big plays in the third quarter. Defense made some big stops in the second half,” Woods said.

Ferriday (4-2, 1-0) plays host to General Trass next Friday at 7 p.m.