Youngblood Enjoys The School Spirit The Community Has For Barnwell Athletics

By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Barnwell—In terms of an upbeat and positive attitude they do not come any better than Barnwell High athletic director Derek Youngblood and he got trained for his current job when he coached and worked with Dwayne Garrick over a 10-year period back in the day at Williston-Elko.

“I was the assistant AD to Coach Garrick when we worked together at Williston-Elko and since coming over to Barnwell I used my training from my old job to settle into a smooth transition when I left Williston in 2020 to become the athletic director at Barnwell.” said coach Youngblood.

“We have tremendous leadership here from our school administration starting with our Superintendent Crisse Stapleton, to our Principal Franklin McCormick,” said Coach Youngblood. “We all know the importance of high school athletics to the people in our community and we are all pulling the wagon in the same direction.”

Coach Youngblood  said there is a special excitement in the air around Barnwell this summer, with great anticipation of the football season because the Warhorse football team returns 16 starters from a team that went 9-5 a year ago, “First of all, Coach Garrick is a huge part of that leadership team about which I am talking about. He is a veteran coach, and he certainly is not a one size fits all type of head coach.

“Coach Garrick is really great at figuring out where the important pieces of the puzzle need to be plugged in.” Coach Youngblood. “In my opinion he is among the best head football coaches in the state.”

Coach Youngblood said there is a lot around town about the emergence sophomore quarterback Cameron Austin who is D-1 prospect in both football and baseball. ”I think the sky is the limit for Cameron and everyone in Barnwell is waiting to see him in action.

“We have a lot of talent on this team and he could be that piece of the puzzle we need to win a state title ,” said Coach Youngblood. “Our running back (Tyler Smith) gained 2,300 rushing yards last year and he jumped 6-4 to win the gold medal at the state track meet. This is the most talent and experience we have had on our football team since we last won back-to-back state titles in 1987 and 1988.”

The varsity football coaching staff has many of the same coaches back. William Barnes is in his second-year coaching running backs and former  Miami of Ohio player Rokeem Williams will work with receivers and defensive backs for the third year. Kris Morris in his sixth year and he will work with Coach Garrick in the offensive line. Morris is also the head junior varsity coach.

Heath Corley is the defensive coordinator with 10 years in the program and he focuses on the defensive line. The veteran of the coaching staff with 35 years of experience is outside linebacker coach Mike Highsmith. Thomas Davis works with inside linebackers.   Coach Garrick works with Special teams also.

Rob Roth has been the school’s adult trainer for 20 years. “He is the best in the business,” said Coach Youngblood. “He really cares about the kids at Barnwell. “He especially does an outstanding job rehabbing our injured athletes.”



Coach Youngblood wanted to extend a big thank you to volunteer assistant coach Britt Pender who is a former QB for the Warhorses. “Wherever we need some special help Britt just rolls up his sleeves and goes to work,” said Coach Youngblood. “He is a multi-tasker and he can coach it all. He is a great communicator. He works a lot with running backs and receivers too.”

Coach Youngblood also wanted to thank athletic secretaries Kathy Watkins and Gail Still for their efforts in the assisting him to keep the athletic program running smoothly. Keri Schneider is the assistant athletic director at Barnwell. “Keri gets things done and she keeps me and all the coaches straight,” said Coach Youngblood.

Coach Youngblood wanted to also thank Barnwell public address announcer Gary Brantley who has been in the press box for football and baseball games for over 20 years. “He plays music and keeps the game flowing and our fans just love him,” said Coach Youngblood.

Coach Youngblood called Barnwell athletic booster club president Kara Bolen a true go-getter. “We started doing our own Warhorse discount cards a few years ago  as a fund raiser and Kara and her team have sold thousands of those cards over the past few years,” said Coach Youngblood. “Our student athletes are well supported here through the efforts of our hard-working booster club.”

The Barnwell head cheer coach for both cheer and competition squads is Amy Williams with 10-plus of  experience.

Will Gee will continue as the head baseball coach and the Warhorses have won two consecutive region titles. Gee has three assistant coaches in Frank Cannon, Jackson Ridgeway and Josh Grubbs.

How can many boys’ basketball players say that their head coach is the also the mayor of the city where he lives? Martin Rivera will begin his 4^th year as the boy’s coach. The girls’ basketball coach is William Hammonds back for his 5^th season.

Luke Catoe directs the boy’s and girl’s cross-country teams. William Barnes directs the boys’ soccer program. Coach Garrick heads up the golf team. Ashleigh Anderson pulls double duty as the head volleyball and softball. Anderson played softball at Newberry College. Her volleyball coach is Mindy Sandifer and her softball assistants are  Jerry Raines and Mike Beasley.

Jeff Miller just retired from working with the boy’s and girl’s track program. Miller also works the clock operator at football games.

Coach Youngblood says he enjoys being the athletic director at Barnwell High because there is a strong awareness of high school athletics in the community. “I enjoy going to events and meeting the parents and all of our fans who come out to support our student athletes,” said Coach Youngblood. “We have a great collective group of coaches here and we all try to be good role models to all our athletes. All our coaches are top notch people.”