Familiar Foes: Harrell, Walker Face Former Team Dutchtown in District Opener

by Robin Fambrough // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

When Walker rallied to beat Ponchatoula to open the season, Dutchtown High coach Guy Mistretta called to congratulate WHS coach Chris Harrell.

It was Harrell’s first victory as a head coach after spending seven seasons as the Griffins’ defensive coordinator. Yes, milestones are important.

Opening District 5-5A play with a win is the objective as both unbeaten teams play through their own version of both sides now Friday night.

“I’ve coached against guys that I coached with before,” Mistretta said. “But I don’t know that I’ve had an assistant become a head coach that we played … not the next year.

“Teams in this district know how to win and make it deep in the playoffs. Wins don’t come easy, so this is a big one for both of us.”

Dutchtown (3-0) travels to Walker (3-0) for the 5-5A game set for Friday at 7 p.m.

“I have invested in those kids at Dutchtown,” Walker’s Harrell said. “I was with the seniors for three years and the juniors for two. They’ve matured, and they’re playing so well. I’m excited to play them.

“But I’m also excited to see how we play. Since the spring, we’ve come a long way. We’ve made mistakes and got behind in some games this season. These guys have never gave up, and they keep working and pushing.”

Dutchtown returns 11 starters who played for Harrell last fall. Will this game offer that rare mix of incentive and sentimental value? DTHS defensive lineman Drue Price says it will.

“I can’t wait to see him,” Price said of Harrell. “I feel good about this game and going up against coach Harrell. We’re just trying to go out and play our best and get better each week.”

The Griffin defense has given up just 28 points, affirming its role as an experienced unit. The Wildcats have allowed 90 points and prevailed in two shootouts.

Each team has a dynamic quarterback – Owen Fletcher for Dutchtown and Jayce Evans of Walker. There are contrasts that add context to this story that won’t show up in a scouting report.

Dutchtown installed Bryan Villa as defensive coordinator on Mistretta’s staff that has just two newcomers. Harrell moved to Walker last spring and was named head coach when Chad Mahaffey moved to New Orleans-based De La Salle as head coach. The Wildcats returned just two coaches from its 2025 football staff.

“We have a lot of new coaches,” Walker’s Evans said. “When we found out we had a new head coach, we knew we had to come together as a team. We had to be leaders.

“We knew everybody had to buy into what he (Harrell) and the other coaches were putting in. That was the only way we, as seniors, could have the best year possible.”

Resiliency has been crucial for Walker. Penalties, turnovers, and struggles with executing new schemes have not been costly so far. Opening district play with an experienced opponent such as Dutchtown reduces the margin for error significantly – a fact Harrell is keenly aware of.

“I know what they do and what they bring to the table as a team, which is part of what makes this exciting,” Harrell said. “They’re a tough challenge and the type of challenge that I think is reciprocated on our side.”