Robert Walsh, Whitefield Academy head coach
Today’s interviewee is Whitefield Academy coach Robert Walsh, whose team beat Landmark Christian 24-19 last week to clinch first place in subregion B of Region 5-A Division I. Mason Hollingsworth, Class A Division I’s rushing leader, led Whitefield Academy with 175 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries. Whitefield Academy will finish its regular season Friday with a trip to Walker, which is 0-3 in region play, and try to become the third team in school history to reach eight wins. Whitefield will play Oct. 31 in the region championship game against Wesleyan or Fellowship Christian.
1. How do you feel this team has improved from a season ago, and how do you feel about your team’s season so far? “I think it's just our senior leadership, having 16 seniors that have kind of been with me now for three years, and a lot of those guys have been playing or starting for us since their sophomore year. So, a lot of experience there, and our offensive line has been really good on the offensive side of the ball. And defensively, I think Coach [Justin] Krueger and our defensive staff have done a really good job of being multiple and changing the looks for the other teams we've been playing.”
2. What was your approach for the Landmark Christian game, and how did your team get the tight win? “We knew it was a big game because of the subregion being on the line and having the opportunity to play for our third straight region championship. We knew it was a big game, our kids were focused, and we had good practices all week. We knew Landmark was a really good football team, much improved from last year. They have a really good quarterback and receiver combo. And defensively, they were scrappy, physical, really aggressive, and I was proud of our kids responding to some adversity throughout the game. That was probably the most penalized we've been all season with holding calls, putting us behind the chains, and just the physical nature of the game. Our kids responded and rose to the occasion, which is something that, as a coach, you want to see in those tight, physical football games, how your team responds.”
3. What does this win do for Whitefield Academy moving forward? “It's definitely a good boost for us. In Whitefield Academy's football program and its history, there's only been two eight-or-more win seasons [2008, 2017], so we get an opportunity Friday night to do something for only the third time in this school's history, which is pretty cool. But definitely a boost, gives our kids some confidence playing in some tight football games going forward.”
4. What is the message and approach going into your final regular season game at Walker with history on the line? “[Walker coach T.J. Anderson], he's doing a good job trying to build that program back up, but they are struggling. A few weeks ago, we played B.E.S.T. Academy, who's also struggling right now. The message is play to our standard, let's take care of business the way we should, and hopefully get some of our young guys some reps there in the second half and get ready for a big game here at home October 31st, hosting the region championship.”
