When Stanley Smith toes the sideline tonight in Ferriday High School’s home opener, he’ll be staring across the sideline at a familiar program.

Smith and the Trojans are set to host Franklin Parish, where the first-year coach served as defensive coordinator last season.

“It’s exciting. It’s our first home game,” he said. “We plan on having a packed crowd and have a strong performance and have a little fun.”

Smith won’t be the only Trojans coaching staff member with strong ties to the Patriots’ program.

FHS offensive coordinator Kenny Kitchen is a FPHS alumnus and served two stints as a member on the Patriots coaching staff.

“The kids are excited for him,” Smith said. “They’re rallying behind him.”

Ferriday (1-0) enters tonight’s showdown after knocking off LHSAA Class 5A foe Alexandria last week, 37-27.

“We fought hard,” Smith said. “It was hot and we had a few guys cramping up, but we accepted the challenge and fought through it. We watched the film, and we still have a lot of room for growth. We got to get back to the drawing board, come back and execute.”

Franklin Parish (1-0), meanwhile, knocked off Ferriday’s district rival Rayville last week, 22-20.

Smith said the key to tonight’s matchup is to slow down the Class 4A Patriots’ rushing attack.

“They’re going to try and ground and pound you,” he said. “We have to be fundamentally sound and execute.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Ferriday.