For the first time in 25 years, a new head coach stands on BV’s sidelines.
Eric Driskell contributed to each of the Tiger’s four football state championships.
He played on the offensive line for the Tigers and has been an assistant coach.
Driskell said former coach Steve Rampy acted as a mentor for him from his playing days through the time when he was an assistant coach.
He credits the long-time coach with introducing the idea of coaching to him.
“Once I started coaching I knew this is what I wanted to do,” Driskell said.
Driskell first began coaching 15 years ago and has been teaching for 10 years. In that time Driskell has added to Tiger tradition.
This year, a new era begins.
However, the season will not be full of drastic changes.
The Tigers’ tradition-enriched program will be doing things similarly to how they have done them in previous years.
Driskell said expectations have not changed.
Driskell will not attempt to imitate his predecessor, but rather bring his own unique abilities to the position.
“I’m not going to try to be anyone but myself,” he said.
His familiarity with winning over the years has taught him what it takes to win it all.
Driskell said this year’s team resembles previous years’ state championship teams in one major way — the senior class is strong and unified.
This year’s senior class boasts more than 30 players, one of the highest numbers in school history.
Driskell names this teams’ other major strengths as leadership and work ethic.
“We will play hard all the time,” Driskell said. “The defense will be fast and hard-hitting and the offense will be explosive.”
Driskell’s head coaching career started with a 2-0 record, and the Tigers outscored opponents 112 – 7 in those two games.
“I think coach Driskell does a really good job of preparing us for every game and puts us in position to win each game,” cornerback, senior Cody Shrum said.