Hood latch stuck
 

I have a buddy wit a 2003 F150 pickup. His hood latch is stuck/rust and we are not able to open the hood. How do we open the hood and free open the latch. I am able to get to the 2 screws that hold the latch and was thinking of disconnecting it from the frame and then reinstalling it back after we get it working. Is this the easiest way?