NATCHEZ — Don’t let Freddie Harrison’s age fool you, his players sure don’t.

Despite being just 27 years old, Harrison has already accomplished a feat which some coaches are never able to do — an undefeated regular season.

Entering his second season at Ferriday High, Harrison said his age is almost a non-factor with his players.

“I don’t think (age) hinders or helps,” Harrison said. “You have to go in and earn the kids’ respect and just let them know who the boss is.”

Harrison compared himself to a tough older brother figure for the players.

“They know I’m going to be on them, but they can talk to me about anything — about life,” Harrison said. “They know my door is always open.”

Harrison also described himself as an intense disciplinarian.

“I’m very intense, I can’t put it any better than that,” Harrison said. “If things are going great, I’m intense happy with you, If you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing, I’m going to get on you.

“There’s always a method behind the madness.”

Although Ferriday went 11-0 last season, Harrison said this year’s team will have to find its own identity.

“I try not to put any pressure on myself or the kids. I think the community and fans know each team has its own identity and expectations year-in and year-out,” Harrison said. “You can’t expect the same things this year as last year, you have to expect something a little different. I think the fans at Ferriday know that.

“Guys are starting to understand what it takes to become very successful. We’re trying not to live off of last year’s success.”

Harrison came to Ferriday from Lake Charles-Boston, where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterback’s coach.

Looking back at his transition from coordinator to first-time head coach, Harrison said the change was noticeable.

“Being a head coach is a total eye-opener,” Harrison said. “Being an assistant coach, you think you want to be a head coach, but I learned my lesson fast. There’s more to being a head coach. A lot of work goes unnoticed, but that’s the sacrifice you make to be the head coach.”

Prior to taking the job at Ferriday, Harrison talked with several friends who were head coaches of not only football teams, but other teams.

“They told me just ‘do what you feel you need to do for the program no matter what other people think,”’ Harrison said. “When it’s all said and done, it’s no one else’s name on the line but yours.

“The most important thing is to leave the program at least one percent better than when you got there.”

If Harrison continues his success, he won’t have to worry about a one percent increase in performance — fans will be talking about how he brought the program to another level.

After all, Harrison’s the boss.