After a stunning upset win at then-undefeated and fifth-ranked Ouachita Christian School last week, the Ferriday High School Trojans ended up in a three-way tie for first place in LHSAA District 2-2A.

Ferriday’s controversial loss two weeks earlier at Sterlington High School hurt the Trojans’ chances for an even higher seed for the Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA Non-Select Prep Classic Class 2A Playoffs than they received.

Nevertheless, the No. 10 seed Trojans (7-3) will welcome No. 23 seed Northeast High School (4-6) out of Pride, La., to Melz Field for a first-round game at 7 p.m. Friday.

“It’s always good to play at home. We don’t have to worry about a two- or three-hour drive,” Ferriday head coach Dwight Woods said. “Hopefully, our raucous crowd will take them out of their game. But with the district they’re in (District 7-2A), they’re used to a lot of raucous crowds. Our kids playing at home will help us a lot.”

Teams Northeast goes up against in its district include Madison Prep Academy, Dunham High School, East Feliciana High School and Episcopal High School.

“They play to some stiff competition. They’re used to major competition,” Woods said.

Ferriday’s defense will have to contend with a Vikings offense that can score quickly through the air and on the ground, Woods said.

“They have a couple of big receivers, and they have a running back who can go the distance on any play,” he said.

Another challenge Northeast poses is the strenght of its defensive front, Woods said.

“They make it tough to run the ball,” Woods said.

The second-year coach said despite a few injuries up front, the Trojans’ offensive and defensive lines have an overall advantage over Northeast.

Woods also noted he feels his squad has an advantage on the perimeter.

“I think we have a couple of situations we can take advantage of. I think we’ll be a little more physical than them,” he said

Woods said keys for a Ferriday victory night are to establish a running game and for the defense to make key stops.

“The big thing is we have to line up and adjust to their motion and different formations. The other thing is we have to run the ball and that will open up the passing game for us. We have to limit the number of big plays they have,” he said.