Stanley Smith will have to wait one more day to make his regular-season debut as head coach of Ferriday High School.

The Trojans’ season opener against Alexandria High School has been moved from Friday to Saturday because of weather. Game time for Saturday is still to be determined, Smith said.

“It’s going to give us an extra day to prepare, but it’s also going to build the anxiety,” he said. “It’s a big game not because it’s (LHSAA Class 5A) ASH, but because it’s the next game.”

If Saturday’s showdown is anything like this past weekend, then Smith will be all smiles.

Ferriday, an LHSAA Class 2A school, trounced Lincoln Prep in a jamboree contest, 42-0, at Grambling University. Smith said while he was proud of his team’s performance, they have put the game behind them, invoking his 24-hour rule.

“It was a good showing,” Smith said. “The biggest thing we want to improve on is our execution and having proper technique. We have some areas where we have to do better, but for the most part, we did a good job. But we have to move forward.”

Smith said Alexandria is going to present a strong challenge, with several of its players holding college scholarship offers.

“I know (ASH head coach) Thomas Bachman pretty well, and he’s going to try to air it out some,” Smith said. “They have a couple of offensive linemen and wide receivers with Division 1 offers. They’re going to be very prepared and are going to put their best foot forward.”

As for himself, Smith said he is looking forward to making his head-coaching debut for his alma mater.

“It’s going to be big. It’s my home town, and I’ve always bled black and gold,” he said. “I probably won’t grasp and think about it until after the game. I have a job to do, and I’m focused on the task at hand.”