As Stanley Smith envisions Ferriday High School heading deeper into the LHSAA Class 2A playoffs, he’s hoping the Trojans are able to find a special spark to keep them alive.

“We have to have some kind of X factor,” the first-year Ferriday coach said. “It’s got to be a feeling you’ve never had before. We have to be playing together and playing with a passion. We are playing for keeps — it’s win or go home.”

After the Trojans (9-2) dominated Oakdale in the first round last week, 60-14, No. 2 Ferriday is set to travel to No. 18 seed East Feliciana (6-4) in a second-round matchup at 7 p.m. tonight.

Da’minya Milligan, Jerrius Scott and Kobe Dillon led the Trojans on the ground for a combined six rushing touchdowns in the win last week.

Smith said while he has seen improvement passing the ball this season, he was pleased Ferriday could stick to its comfort zone.

“We started off kind of slow, but I think we are sticking to what we do best,” he said. “We want to and control line the line of scrimmage — it’s our calling card. We wanted to be able to do whatever we want to do.”

Smith said as each week becomes more difficult, he also isn’t taking a road game lightly.

“That’s the point of the playoffs. Everyone is playing for the same,” he said. “We have had more road games this year, but at the same time it’s always tough.”

East Feliciana is coming off a win over Mansfield last week, 38-28.

As such a high seed, Smith said, Ferriday must keep its composure.

“We want to come out focused and come out and execute,” he said. “Everyone wants to get the upset, especially over the higher seed as we are. We are going to do everything in our power to make sure that doesn’t happen.”