BUFFALO GAP - The three words — "Go Red Pride" — coming from his player's mouth drew an audible gasp from Buffalo Gap football coach Andy Cline Friday afternoon.
But Dylan Rankin made sure to alleviate any panic Bison faithful might have about his commitment to their school versus rival Riverheads.
"I'll never say 'Go Red Pride,' but I'm going to have to say 'Go Red Flash,'" Rankin said in the Gap auditorium at the end of the school day Friday. He was announcing that he would continue his football career — and his education — at St. Francis University, home of the Red Flash, in Loretto, Pennsylvania.
Black and gold may always have a soft spot in Rankin's heart, but he'll have to make some room for red now.
St. Francis University is a NCAA Division I FCS member, playing in the Northeast Conference. Member schools include ones in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.
"It means the world to me," said Rankin's dad, Josh. "Watching him come from being an 8-year-old kid playing little league football here at Buffalo Gap to living out his dream, it's pretty amazing. He's a pretty amazing kid. I'm lucky he calls me dad."
Rankin will be a walk-on, most likely redshirting next year. He said the coaches at St. Francis have expressed an interest in him playing linebacker.
"Obviously I would have to gain some weight," Rankin said. "But taking the year off, redshirting, would be great for me to do that. And with the scheme that they run I would fit in because it's similar to what we did here [at Buffalo Gap]."
Rankin seriously considered six schools, with the final decision coming down to Anderson University in Indiana and St. Francis. He liked that St. Francis was closer — just under four hours from Buffalo Gap High School — and that family and friends could make the trip to watch him play.
The campus also played a roll in his decision.
"It was beautiful," he said. "Oh my gosh, it was crazy beautiful."
Rankin also likes the education department at St. Francis since his longterm plan is to be a history teacher and coach.
Cline is confident his former player will succeed at the next level and beyond.
"Dylan is a one-of-a-kind kid," Cline said. "He has been an absolute pleasure to coach. He’s one of those kids that you want to come back one day and coach with you."
Through a group chat, Rankin has already found a roommate, a native of Japan who has been in the United States for less than a year. Rankin is excited that he'll have the chance to learn about another culture.
"I told him he'll have to teach me to speak some Japanese," Rankin said.
Rankin said being at Buffalo Gap, not just the football team, but the entire school, has been a great experience for him the last four years.
"It's like a brotherhood here," Rankin said. "They treat you great, from coaches to administrators to teachers. It's a family here and it's awesome."