FERRIDAY, La. – One of the best running backs in the state will meet one of the state’s stingiest defenses when undefeated Ferriday travels to 17th-ranked McCall Friday.

With both teams sporting a 2-0 district record, the contest may well decide the District 3-2A championship, Ferriday head coach James McFarland said.

&uot;I think it will,&uot; he said. &uot;They’ve only got Block left, and I don’t think Block can beat them.&uot;

Fifth-ranked Ferriday, fresh off a 42-0 thumping of Block, will face rival Vidalia in the Trojans’ last game of the season. But McFarland only has eyes for McCall this week, he said.

&uot;We just take one game at a time,&uot; he said. &uot;Right now, we’re focusing on McCall. After the regular season, we’ll focus on the playoffs.&uot;

The Trojans’ defense, which has held its opponent scoreless in five of Ferriday’s eight games, will undoubtedly focus on McCall running back Jeremy O’Neil and the Notre Dame box formation from which he runs.

&uot;It’s tough. We only see the box once a year, when we play McCall,&uot; McFarland said. &uot;That makes it twice as scary.&uot;

But McCall (7-1) isn’t the greatest challenge his team will face this year, he added.

&uot;They may have the best record, but they’re not the toughest team we’ve faced,&uot; McFarland said. &uot;Maybe Farmerville. It’s a toss-up between them and Peabody.&uot;

The Trojans’ offense will attempt to use the same balanced formula that has served it well so far this year – a passing game led by Tyrrence Taylor and a rushing attack led by Corey Gordon.

&uot;We’re going to run the ball and throw the ball,&uot; McFarland said. &uot;Whatever they allow us to do, that’s what we’ll do.

&uot;We’re going to have to go up there and take our ‘A’ game,&uot; he said. &uot;We’ve had a good week of practice, and I anticipate we’ll do well.&uot;