FERRIDAY — In an emotional 18-13 win over the Sterlington Panthers, Ferriday moved to 7-0 on the season.

With tears in his eyes, Ferriday head coach Freddie Harrison commended his team after the game.

“These guys deserve this,” he said. “They worked hard, struggled and persevered through all the adversity on the field and off. I wouldn’t trade them for any other team.”

This was the first time in two years the Trojans triumphed over the Panthers.

“This was a big game for us,” Trojan quarterback Kendrick Harris said. “Sterlington is always a tough team.”

Sterlington jumped out late in the first quarter taking a 6-0 lead on a 30-yard pass from Logan Dopson to fullback DeShanti Mitchell.

Ferriday responded half way through the second quarter with 4-yard Matthew Smith run to tie the game 6-6.

“We practiced hard all week,” Smith said. “ Coach always talks about having one chance and taking the opportunity. That is what we did tonight.”

Before the game Harrison said their goal was to keep Sterlington’s offense off the field and that is what they did in the second half.

Ferriday took the lead after a 64-yard drive that was capped off by a Harris 1-yard run.

During the drive, Smith suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the quarter.

“It’s a blow when you loose someone like Matt,” Harrison said. “But we know what (Neico Amado) can do and he stepped it up.”

The Trojans’ defense forced a punt as timed expired in the third quarter.

Deep in their on territory on the 8-yard line, the Trojans went on a methodical 92-yard, 10 minute drive to seal the deal.

They used a combination of Harris, Amado, Smith and little used Omari Washington as a fullback to where down the Panthers.

“I have to hand it to the offense,” Harrison said. “They grinded and pounded it out. Omari is a defensive end but he came in and did an excellent job.”

Harrison didn’t let his defense go un-noticed. He said they did a great job holding down the Panthers.

“Sterlington came out running a totally different offense,” Harrison said. “We hadn’t prepared for or seen anything like it. They did great adjusting to it.”

Harrison said the assistants coaches had to make adjustments on the run and they came through tonight.

The Ferriday defense held the Panthers to just 103 total yards containing the dangerous duo of DeShanti and Chad Pruitt to just 60-yards rushing.

“Our philosophy on defense is swarm to the football,” Harrison said. “We did a good job of that tonight.”

Ferriday put their 7-0 record on the line next Friday when they host 4-A Beau Chene at 7 p.m.