Ferriday and Block high schools will be attempting to get back on track a day earlier than originally anticipated.

The Trojans and Bears contest was moved to Thursday night from Friday due to a referee scheduling conflict at Ferriday.

Block head coach Bo Sproles said the earlier game time in conjunction with Labor Day limits his squad’s practice week, but they must play the hand their dealt.

“We generally do our walkthrough on Thursday, but we’ll do that Wednesday now,” Sproles said. “It cut down our week by a full two days.”

Block lost its opener to LHSAA Class 2A power Ouachita Christian 52-6 last week, but Sproles said he is expecting a better performance from his squad Thursday.

“We didn’t play as good as we could play,” he said. “We went brain dead at some spots. Other times, we were outplayed and outmanned.”

Ferriday, meanwhile fell to Carroll High School 18-16, and coach Dwight Woods said his squad didn’t match the Bulldogs’ physicality.

“They were tougher than we were,” Woods said. “Their physicality kind of shocked some of our players. We now realize we have to come in to every game and be mentally tough.”

As for this week, Woods said he expects Sproles and the Bears offense to stick to their patented rushing attack.

“They run the ball real well,” he said. “And their kids are used to it, that’s been a part of their program for years.”

Sproles said the challenge the Trojans present is their plethora of athletes, highlighted by 2018 national recruit Dare Rosenthal.

“They’ve got some good size and are pretty athletic across the board,” Sproles said. “We’re going to have to stop the pass and play with more discipline.”

Woods said his squad will return running back Milak Hampton and several key contributors this week who missed last week’s game because of injury.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Thursday.