2024 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Steel Valley’s Donald Barksdale

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, July 13, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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A six-touchdown game last season against Burrell could have been a nine-touchdown game for Donald Barksdale.

Nine touchdowns. A heaping 54 points — from one guy.

“Three were called back,” Barksdale said with a sigh. “Penalties.”

There is a reason Steel Valley football coach Ray Braszo calls his feature back “Mr. Touchdowns.”

Barksdale has crossed the goal line 52 times in three seasons, including 37 last year as a junior.

“He scores in all situations, (including) interceptions and punt and kick returns,” Braszo said. “He has great speed and vision and is hard to bring down. He is always in great condition and works hard at staying in shape.”

Barksdale (5-foot-10, 180 pounds), who has nine NCAA Division I scholarship offers as an “athlete,” Duquesne and Robert Morris among them, has more than a handle on the football.

“Mr. Touchdowns” offered an extra point when asked about his accomplishments.

“Last season, my life changed a lot,” the senior said. “The best part is that my mom and dad don’t have to pay for college any more.”

When it comes to headline acts, Barksdale buys in bulk. Last season, he ran for 258 yards and the aforementioned six touchdowns against Burrell and added a 250-yard game in a win over Western Beaver in the WPIAL 2A quarterfinals.

Steel Valley won a WPIAL title two years ago and was the runner-up last year.

Barksdale rushed for 2,061 yards a season ago, piling up a load of carries (267).

He also had four interceptions on defense, returning two for scores. Look for him to play a hybrid outside linebacker-safety role this fall.

“I want to do what I did last year,” Barksdale said, “only 10 times better. I know I can improve a lot more. I am betting on myself.”

While the career 3,000-plus-yard rusher will be the centerpiece for the Ironmen, he wants his younger teammates to develop.

“The sole focus is (winning). But I want to make sure the whole team develops so they can compete for a championship next year, too,” he said. “That’s the big thing.”

Football means family to Barksdale, the younger brother of Steel Valley’s all-time rusher, DeWayne Murray.

His younger brother and teammate, Da’Ron Barksdale, is a talented junior defensive back and receiver who has eight Division I offers (Pitt, West Virginia, Temple, UNLV, Syracuse, Akron, Bowling Green).

“I have the most speed out of all three of us,” Donald Barksdale said.

The Barksdale pair instantly make the Ironmen a threat to win another title.

“It would mean everything to win (a championship) with my brother,” Donald Barksdale said. “I remember when I was a waterboy/ball boy and we went to the WPIAL championship at Robert Morris and we were on the field (during) state final in Hershey. My brother, DeWayne, Paris Ford and all those guys. It would be amazing to do that as a player now.”

Donald Barksdale

Steel Valley

Senior

5-foot-10/180 pounds

RB/CB

Committed to: Uncommitted

Division I offers: Morgan State, Duquesne, Bryant, Howard, Merrimack, Albany, Central State, Robert Morris, Bowling Green

2023 statistics: 267 carries, 2,061 yards, 37 TD; 53 tackles, 4 interceptions

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Steel Valley