The Stanley Smith era is off with a roaring start.

Behind the play of quarterback Kobe Dillon and some timely defensive stands, Ferriday High School managed to knock off LHSAA Class 5A foe Alexandria 37-27 to start off its 2017 campaign.

“It was a huge win for us. The kids battled through some adversity early in the game, and we had guys step up. I’m excited,” Smith said.

The Trojans (1-0) had to play most of the game without standout lineman Dare Rosenthal, who was forced to the sideline midway through the second quarter with an injury.

“We had guys step up along the offensive line,” Smith said.

The Alexandria Town Talk reported on Twitter that Dillon threw four touchdowns passes, including two to LSU commit Dantrieze Scott. Lewis Matthews III and Jamien Green each chipped in with touchdown grabs of their own.

“We made some great plays, but we had a lot of penalties,” Smith said. “We made some mistakes that we had to overcome, and the kids did that.”

Jorien Vallien led ASH (0-1) offensively with three touchdown catches.

However, when FHS needed to most, it played its best.

Clinging to a 29-27 lead entering the fourth, Ferriday kept Alexandria off the scoreboard the remaining period.

“We had to make a stand,” Smith said. “I told the guys this is what we worked for all spring and summer, to get to the fourth quarter. (Vallien) made some great catches, and we just accepted the challenge, and we made the plays when we needed to make them.”

Ferriday will be back in action at 7 p.m. next Friday when it hosts Franklin Parish.

 

FERRIDAY 37, ALEXANDRIA 27

FHS 7 14 8 8 — 37

ASH 7 7 13 0 — 27

Scoring summary

First quarter

FHS — Jerrius Scott 8 run (kick good), 3:00

ASH — Jorien Vallien 3 yard catch (kick good), 0:57

Second quarter

FHS — Lewis Matthews III 27 catch from Kobe Dillon (kick fail), 11:20

ASH — Bud Clark interception return (kick good), 7:59

FHS — Dantrieze Scott 19 pass from Dillon (Jerrius Scott run), 1:00

Third quarter

ASH — Vallien 11 pass (kick good), 10:00

FHS — Jamien Green 19 pass from Dillon (conversion good), 6:10

ASH — Vallien 7 catch (conversion failed), 1:30

Fourth quarter

FHS — Dantrieze Scott 11 catch (Jerrius Scott run), 9:24