FERRIDAY — What many considered the strongest part of the Ferriday Trojans’ team was put to the test when Washington Marion rolled into town.

A defensive line that features the likes of Alabama commit Dare Rosenthal, Marquis Brown, Dantrieze Scott and Sam Johnson, received a healthy dose of runs from the Indians, who pounded the ball 53 times for 197 yards, finding the end zone three times, and coming away with a 22-6 win.

“We didn’t do what we were supposed to do,” Ferriday head coach Dwight Woods said. “I have to give them credit. They came in and outplayed us. It is as simple as that. They just outplayed us.”

Washington Marion slowed the game down, sustaining multiple drives that had the Indians running more than 10 plays.

Carrying the load for Washington Marion was running back Jacobi Taylor, who finished with a game-high 41 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown.

“I’ve seen a couple tote it like that in those systems,” Woods said. “We’ve been telling our guys all week what to expect. I guess it still caught them by surprise, and in the end, it is my responsibility.”

Defense highlighted the first half, with neither team finding a way to score. Although both the Trojans and Indians found themselves in opponent’s territory, multiple failed 4th down attempts and turnovers stalled drives.

Washington Marion received the second half kickoff, and immediately went to work on both the field and the clock.

The Indians methodically marched the ball into Trojan territory on the back of Taylor, who had 15 carries on the drive, and eventually broke the scoreless tie with a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback L’Marcus Walker. After a successful two point conversion, the Indians led 8-0.

The drive was a whopping 19 plays and took 11 minutes and 15 seconds.

The Trojans, however, needed just 30 seconds to answer.

Quarterback Ronald Williams connected with J’Shon Foster on a 54-yard pass to start the drive and Ronald Davis capped the scoring drive with an eight-yard run. A failed two-point conversion left the Trojans trailing 8-6.

Washington Marion continued to ground and pound and on their ensuing drive found the end zone, this time from 18 yards out on a Taylor run.

After a three-and-out from Ferriday, Washington Marion marched down the field again and sealed the win with a 4-yard touchdown run from Walker to push the lead to 22-6.

“Anytime someone can just line up and run it at you like that, it is hard,” Woods said. “Our strength is supposed to be playing the run, but we did a terrible job. We did OK in the first half, but in the second half, we didn’t do anything.”

Rosenthal, who played a majority of snaps on defense for the Trojans, said the trenches were tough.

“They were hitting me high and low,” he said. “I started having to put one down and then push the other out of the way.”

Ferriday opens district play against Rayville in their next game and both coaches and players know the importance of bouncing back.

“We have to do better next week because things don’t get any easier,” Woods said.

“We have to work hard,” Rosenthal added. “It is district time, we have to go.”