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Story Archives: Ferriday riding momentum of 2007


Ferriday riding momentum of 2007
by Joey Martin - posted Thursday, August 21st, 2008 @ 8:04 amE-mail Story E-mail Story | Print Story Print Story 
An undefeated regular season under his belt has given second-year Ferriday High head coach Freddie Harrison a lot of momentum going into the 2008 football season.

"It has made a big difference," Harrison said. "The guys know what is expected of them and they have been working at it and trying to refine it. I am real pleased with this group. They have been picking up everything real fast and becoming more comfortable with it."

Ferriday, which finished perfect in District 2-2A, advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling to St. John, 22-20.

The Trojans have eight seniors, six juniors, 18 sophomores and nine freshmen on this year's squad.

"We're young, but we're going to be real physical," Harrison said. "We're of the mindset that to be good we have to make sure we are physical. We're going to hit people. We want to be fundamentally sound and make sure we're doing the right thing, not only on the field, but in the classroom. Our top priority has always been to have our players as model citizens."

Harrison's biggest void is at quarterback, where the Trojans lost Kendrick Harris, who completed 121-of-177 for 1,842 yards and 21 touchdowns with five interceptions. He also rushed for 976 yards, averaging 9.6 yards a rush with 15 TDs.

"The guy (Tim Tebow) who won the Heisman Trophy last year did what Kendrick did. What Kendrick did was unbelievable."

Junior Rodney Lawson (5-9, 175) will be taking the snaps under center this year for the Trojans.

"We're not putting a lot of pressure on Rodney," Harrison said. "We want him to manage the game. We don't want him to force it downfield. He's a solid leader. He's not a hoo-rah guy, he leads by example. He has a quiet demeanor, but he gets the job done.

Sophomore ZuRanie Thompson (6-0, 175) will back up Lawson.

"ZuRanie has gotten bigger and he's improving," Harrison said.

Harris isn't the lone major void from last year. Matthew Smith rushed for 806 yards on 124 carries with nine TDs. He also had five touchdowns returning kicks.

In the backfield are junior Bobby Madison (5-8, 185), junior Neico Amado (5-7, 170) and junior Julius White (5-9, 190).

"We're going running back by committee," Harrison said. "There is no sense is banging one guy up when you have two or three who can get the job done. Bobby is more a straight-ahead runner, while Nieco is a slasher. But they both can run either way."

Harrison is looking for receivers to step up.

"We don't have one guy who caught a touchdown pass last year," said Harrison, who has to replace All-Stater Montrell Tennessee.

Sophomore Devante Scott is the top receiver.

"We need some guys to step up fast," Harrison said

Also being looked at the wide receiver position are senior Adrian Garrison (5-8, 170), senior Kendall Boxley (6-0, 160), sophomore Chris Walker (5-8, 160) and senior Ken Washington (6-2, 170).

The Trojans return five starters in the offensive line.

Manning the line are senior Ryan Brooks (6-0, 205), sophomore Gerard Webster (freshman Deruis Jolla (5-8, 170), sophomore Jacari Williams (5-5, 205), senior Antron Walker 5-8, 205) and sophomore Jerome Ventress (6-4, 290).

Senior Levier Pryor (6-1, 190) is at tight end.

"Everybody on the line has started at least one game," Harrison said. "That should be the strongest part of our game. Antron is being moved from receiver, which was very unselfish of him being willing to sacrifice and move to another position to help the team."

Ferriday is going to a 3-4 defense.

"We've got smaller guys so we have to try and take advantage of our quickness," Harrison said.

On the defensive front line will be sophomore Webster (6-1, 175), Walker and freshman Jeremiah Powell. (6-1, 185).

"We need to find one more guy there," Harrison said.

Linebackers are Madison, Pryor, White and sophomore Marques Lewis (5-9, 175).

"I am really pleased with this group," Harrison said. "And I like our depth there."

But depth is a problem in the defensive backfield as Garrison is the lone player with any experience.

Sophomore Gary Mayes (5-7, 150), Thompson, Garrison and Scott are the last line of defense.

Junior William Greer (5-9, 175) will see playing time.

"We need some intensity back there," Harrison said. "We've got guys pushing each other and that brings out the best in everybody."

Walker will continue doing the punting.

"Antron kicks real well," Harrison said. "He did not have one blocked last year. Our punt team did a good job of pinning people back.

Amado, Scott and Garrison will be looked at to return kicks.

"I'm waiting on one of those guys to separate themselves from the other two," Harrison said.

Harrison is still trying to find a kicker.

"We lost in the second round of the playoffs by two points," Harrison said. "Both teams scored three touchdowns, but they made two 2-point conversions. If we could have kicked a field goal, that could have been the difference. I take the kicking game very serious. We need to find someone who can consistently put the ball through the uprights."

Harrison said he expects District 2-2A to be more competitive this season.

"Sterlington has a real good quarterback and they are going to spread it out a little more," he said. "Lake Providence picked up Bastrop's offensive coordinator as their coach and he will turn it around. I hear he has about 40 out. Farmerville should be the front-runner. They have two All-State running backs, one who moved from quarterback, and an All-State linebacker. They have a lot of experience coming back. Jonesboro-Hodge is always competitive under Joey Pender. This year everybody will be fighting for the title. We'll do our best to stay in the hunt and try and find a way to repeat."
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