Former Bulldogs take their talents to Division 1

By Parker Wilson

BHS Journalism

From a small school to the big time. Two former BHS Bulldog football players are currently competing on NCAA D1 rosters. Christian Gaylord (class of 2015) and Dayton Valentine (class of 2013) have both participants at the Division 1 level.

Gaylord, who is now playing for Nebraska, learned many things from Baldwin Head Football Coach Mike Berg that helped him succeed to the top.

“I miss playing playing with my boys under the Friday night lights. I know they are going to do great this year,” Gaylord said. “I had a great drive to become better, Coach Berg taught me the right technique to become a D1 athlete. I knew when to ‘flip the switch,’ and was violent on the field.”

He knew that they did not have the talent but he knew that if they worked hard enough they could be up with the top teams.

“My favorite memory was when I was a junior playing alongside Quinn Twombly,” Gaylord said. “Quinn and I had a connection, we knew we could count on each other to get the job done. My senior year was like having four games that went into overtime. All of those games we knew we were going to win, because we were taught by a better coach and we were stronger mentally and physically. We didn’t have much talent but we were strong and big hearted.”

Gaylord came in with many upperclassmen talent, such as Valentine, that pushed him to work harder.

“My underclassmen years really built me up to be a stronger person,” Gaylord said. “I was not treated with much respect because I was a freshman. I fought and worked my butt off and came out a better athlete. That being said, I also grew in my faith and became a stronger believer in God. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the big man. My advice would be to make sure and listen to Coach Berg’s advice/teachings, work your hardest every practice and play every snap like it’s your last. Four years goes by faster than you think. “#BGOD,” said Gaylord.

Valentine, who now is playing at Kansas State University, worked hard over the summer to see improvement in the season.

“I think what made me so successful was just from working so hard. I spent a lot of my summer time in the weight room and was always trying to get better,” Valentine said. “By working hard in the weight room and working more on the little things and the fundamentals, I was able to become more of the player I wanted to be.”

Valentine and all of his teammates were very close on and off of the field.

“My best memory was going 10-2 as a sophomore. It was a blast having a successful season and bonding as a team. Also beating Louisburg after having a late touchdown drive and deciding to go for two, and winning the game during my junior year,” Valentine said.

He always looked up and took the advice from upperclassmen,that he was glad to become one.

“As an underclassman it was important to me to have leaders who were older,” Valentine said. “I spent time being a follower and learning how to lead. It’s hard to be a leader when you don’t have people buy in and be willing to follow. When I became older I was able to take what I had learned and step into a leadership role.”