PIAA Class 1A Title Game Team Preview: The Redbank Valley Bulldogs @RVBulldogs @Coach_Gold

Tagged under: District 9, Gameday Hub, News

Phil Myers | December 8, 2021

Redbank Valley Bulldogs

PIAA District 9 – Class A
League: District 9 – Small School South
Head Coach: Blane Gold

Overview:

The Bulldogs were expected to do well in 2021, but losing the first game of the season to Keystone 22-20 woke them up to reality.  They’ve used that loss as a positive for motivational purposes.  Since the loss to Keystone, Redbank has won 13 straight games and the Bulldogs were not tested until the playoffs.  In the playoffs, they’ve had to come from behind to win 3 of the 4 games.  This is Redbank’s first ever appearance in a PIAA championship game in any sport.

How they got to Hershey:

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-21	@ Central Clarion (SCR)		11:00 am
08-27	@ Keystone (7-3) *	Keystone Stadium	L 20-22
09-03	vs. Otto-Eldred (3-7)	Bulldogs Stadium	W 59-6
09-10	vs. Elk County Catholic (3-5) *	Bulldogs Stadium	W 51-0
09-18	@ Sheffield (0-8)	Wolverine Mountain	W 55-6
09-24	vs. Brockway (4-6)	Bulldogs Stadium	W 51-0
10-01	@ Smethport (8-3)	Smethport Stadium	W 27-6
10-08	@ Bucktail (0-9) *		W 49-6
10-15	vs. Coudersport (4-5)	Bulldogs Stadium	W 52-6
10-22	@ Union-AC Valley (9-3) *	Union Stadium	W 28-6
10-29	@ Punxsutawney (2-7)	Jack LaMarca Stadium	W 40-14
11-12	vs. Port Allegany (6-5) (P)	Bulldogs Stadium	W 35-14
11-19	vs. Union-AC Valley (9-3) (SP)	Clarion University	W 28-21
11-26	vs. Northern Bedford (9-4) (SP)	Clarion University	W 21-14
12-03	@ Bishop Canevin (12-2) (SP)	North Hills	W 23-14
12-09	@ Bishop Guilfoyle (10-4) (SP)	Hersheypark Stadium (Hershey, PA)	1:00 pm

Key players/Stats:

Quarterback Bryson Bain: In his first full year calling signals for the Bulldogs Bain has thrown for 2,115 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Wide receivers Chris Marshall, Tate Minnich, and Marquese Gardlock: Among the three of them they have hauled in 108 passes for 1,558 yards and 22 touchdowns.  Marshall leads the way with 40 grabs for 630 yards and 11 TDs.

Defensive end Joe Mansfield: He is really tough to block as he is third on the team in tackles, leads the team in tackles for loss (22) and quarterback sacks (11).  He also has been credited with 18 quarterback hurries.

Offensive keys to winning:

• Have a balanced offense to keep Bishop Guilfoyle’s defense thinking, but utilize Bain’s passing ability and the heighth of his receivers as Marshall is 6’3” and Gardlock is 6’4”.
• Minimizing turnovers is a given.
• Get the lead and force Guilfoyle out of their ball control ground game.

Defensive keys to winning:

• Stop the run.
• Pressure the quarterback and find a way to contain his elusive ability.
• Minimize penalties and force a couple turnovers.

 Starting Line Up: