When your season opens with your biggest rival, there’s no easing into the year. For Gary Swenson, head coach at Valley High School (IA), starting against Dowling Catholic means weeks of preparation, a spotlight on Friday night, and lessons that extend far beyond one game. With 409 wins, six state titles, and over 50 years on the sidelines, Swenson has a perspective every coach can learn from.
Build Around Fundamentals, Not Flash
Rivalry games bring pressure, especially for players stepping onto the field for the first time under those lights. Swenson’s advice? Keep preparation grounded in routine and fundamentals.
“Don’t drill to entertain, drill to improve. The tools of the trade are blocking and tackling. Everything centers back to that.”
Players crave consistency. High school athletes respond best when practices are predictable and tied to improvement rather than hype. Big games are won with habits formed over weeks, not last-minute magic.
Teach Players to Move On Quickly
Whether a win or a loss, the next game is never far away. Swenson builds this into his weekly schedule: Saturday off, Sunday film and meetings. The message is simple—celebrate the win, learn from the film, then move forward.
“Everything we did leading up to that game made a difference. It wasn’t luck. But once Sunday comes, it’s on to the next week.”
This routine prevents emotional swings from carrying over and keeps players locked into steady progress.
Cover Rare Situations Before They Cost You
The Valley program makes time every week to practice special situations—taking a safety, punting from the end zone, and onside kicks. These aren’t weekly occurrences, but Swenson knows they decide championships.
After losing a state title on an onside kick recovery, he changed his approach. No more “token reps.” Now, he pulls players out of other drills to ensure they get live reps fielding kicks.
“Sometimes you have to just pull kids out of a drill. Is that special team not a big deal when you need it? Yeah, it is.”
Practicing the details—like how to step out safely for deliberate safety—ensures players aren’t learning under the lights.
Dress It Up, Don’t Reinvent It
When facing a rival again in the postseason, Swenson doesn’t overhaul the playbook. Instead, he focuses on small changes that keep familiar concepts effective.
“You’re going to run the same stuff,” he explained. “You just have to dress it up and make it look different.”
In high school football, familiarity is inevitable. The key is adjusting pre-snap looks, motions, and shifts while trusting the foundation.
Takeaways for Coaches
- Stick to fundamentals: Drill to improve, not entertain.
- Establish a routine: Give players consistency in how you handle wins and losses.
- Practice rare situations: Special teams and end-of-game plays can swing seasons.
- Adjust, don’t overhaul: Small wrinkles keep your schemes effective against familiar opponents.
Coach Swenson sums it up best: “If you can’t enjoy this, then why are we doing it? This should be one of the best times of their lives.”
Related:
Friday Drives-The Final Dress Rehearsal
Champions- Setting Goals and Building Accountability- Jake Corbin, Mike Reed, Trever Pendleton
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