2022 with Blane Gold Head Coach Redbank Valley

Tagged under: Coaches Corner, District 9, News

David Burnworth | May 13, 2022

I have been able to cover Redbank twice in the last couple of years

Bland Gold

Redbank Valley

Head Coach

Redbank Valley has put together some nice seasons going back to the 2019 season. One would have to go back to the 2012-2013 season to find a losing record. You guys, according to the state championship program, graduated fifteen  players, including both kickers. What needs to take place to keep the winning season streak going along with the success you have had the last three seasons?

We are losing fifteen seniors to graduation but are returning twelve starters from last year’s team. The success of our past three seasons can be attributed to the senior leadership of each class as each class has taken our program to a new level. The class of 2019 got us to the district championship game, the class of 2020 led us to our first district championship in 24 years and our program’s first ever state playoff win, and the class of 2021 guided us to Hershey. We place a lot of responsibility on our seniors to lead our program and the leadership of the class of 2022 will go a long way in determining if this string of success will continue.

How many of the seniors from the 2021 team will go on to play college ball? Could you list a few of them for our readers?

Chris Marshall: Clarion University
Marquese Gardlock: California University of Pennsylvania
Joe Masnfield: Westminster
Kolby Barrett: Washington and Jerfferson
Bryson Bain: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (baseball)

What are your thoughts about games being played on Thursday nights and on Saturday afternoons and nights?

It has been common for us to have a Thursday night or Saturday game on our schedule for the past five to ten years. While nothing beats Friday nights, we’re accustomed to playing on Thursdays and Saturdays.

How do you feel about the state finals being moved to Cumberland Valley High School?

We failed to accomplish what we set out to do when we left for Hershey this past December, but I am glad that our kids got to experience Hershey. Playing in that stadium is something that I would have given anything to do as a kid and our guys got to experience it. Everything from the tour of Chocolate World to the nostalgia of the locker room, to playing in front of our entire community, was an experience that I don’t know could have been replicated anywhere else.

In your opinion, where should the state finals be held?

I thought the move from Hershey was disappointing. The sweetest goal as a student-athlete was always to get to Hershey. I don’t know if any other location can replicate that.

Should private and public schools have their own state finals? Why? Why Not?

We never make any excuses about who we play. We beat a talented private school out of the WPIAL to get to Hershey but weren’t good enough to beat Bishop Guilfoyle in the state championship game. BG was better than us when it mattered and it’s really as simple as that.

However, as a whole, no one can claim that private and public schools are on an even playing ground. Non-boundary programs have advantages that we simply will never have as a boundary school.

As a coach, can you give us a little info on what all you do to help get your players recruited?

I have found that the most effective recruiting method is by developing positive relationships with the coaches that recruit our area. It’s important to be honest and realistic about our athletes’ abilities to play at the various levels. If coaches believe they can trust our judgement, it just makes the process better for both sides.

In addition to those relationships, we also work with players on their Hudl and Twitter accounts and send some of our kids that are looking to play at the next level to prospect camps in our area.

What are your thoughts on playing out-of-state opponents?

That question may be asked to some coaches because of the travel required to play out of state opponents? For us, it’s common to have away games that are two to two and a half hours from our school. Travel, whether it is in the state or outside of the state, is normal for us.

What is your favorite sports movie?

It’s a tie between Friday Night Lights and Remember the Titans.

Have you watched any of the USFL games?

I have seen about five minutes of game action. It has not been something that has grabbed my attention.

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