Bulldogs looking to build on momentum
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CORTLAND -- With a full year at the helm of Lakeview high school football, head coach Derrick Bush believes his team's result last season, following a series of tumultuous seasons, is a breath of fresh air.
Last season, the Bulldogs finished the regular season at 5-5, earned a playoff berth and secured Lakeview's first home playoff game in many years. This impressive turnaround comes on the heels of a 3-7 2022 season and a 0-10 season in 2021. The outlook of the team is a far cry from what it once was.
"I think last season was a great start to my first year here at Lakeview. When you're trying to build your culture and the culture that we're trying to establish, it takes time and buy-in from our players, buy-in from our parents, contributors and the community, and I think last year was a great stepping stone for us," Bush said. "We know what we're capable of this year and we're going to keep building on what we were able to accomplish last year."
When Bush was named skipper of the team, there was a lot of emphasis on righting the ship and turning the program around. Fortunately for Bush, he was already on the team's coaching staff and was able to build a bond with the players. That translated into a better relationship with his team.
"Being on staff really helped with my transition to head coach. The relationship with the players, the relationship with the position groups I coached, they knew my expectations as a position coach and I took that and evolved it to the head coaching position while trying to develop my culture and what I believe from my experiences in my last 20 years of playing and coaching," he said.
After a few disappointing seasons in recent history, Bush said the successes of last season, as well as the hardships, have served as learning lessons for his team. With Lakeview being part of the Northeast-8 conference that hosts perennial powerhouses Struthers, Poland and South Range, Bush said the team went through a rough four-game skid in conference play, but the competitive spirit and the mentality of his team shone through as they finished the season strong.
"You hear it said a lot about not giving up and playing until the end of the game, but I think last year was a prime example of us not giving up on ourselves," he said. "We want to continue building on that mindset this year and capitalize on that momentum as we roll into the season."
Early on in the preseason, Bush said he's most proud of the effort out of his 11 seniors. He also has some excitement for a few transfer players who have returned to Lakeview in the twilight of their high school careers.
"We've had some kids transfer back to their home district which has been a huge help," he said. "Every senior has been a leader on and off the field, battling every day. I think some of the best teams are the senior-led teams with maturity and experience. I feel like we have that this year."
Looking ahead to the season, Bush said he's preaching taking things one game at a time and focusing on the task at hand. The team doesn't have one specific team circled on the schedule, rather they believe each game serves as a rivalry game.
"I had a parent ask me who our rival is now that we don't play Champion. I really couldn't say because we view every team at the same level. We know we have to leave it all out there Friday night in order to compete in the conference to give ourselves a chance to win," Bush said. "Every game matters and, for right now, we're in that one game at a time mentality."
OFFENSE
At the end of last season, there was to be a pretty large hole left with the graduation of Boom Gillis who served as quarterback for the Bulldogs. Thankfully for Bush, he and his coaching staff found their quarterback in the upcoming campaign in Drew McCallen -- a senior transfer from Warren G. Harding. Bush said McCallen has naturally taken to the leadership role.
"He's a tremendous young man who works really hard on his craft and his physical fitness. He's been a great leader for us stepping into that role coming home for his senior season. I think he's someone we're going to be leaning on in the run and pass game," Bush said. "He's what you look for in a quarterback."
Complimenting McCallen in the backfield on offense will be senior Thomas Easton at running back. Bush said he has high expectations of Easton, but needs him to step up in big moments when the time calls for it.
"He's a very dynamic player and is a very talented kid. Probably arguably one of the most talented on the team. He's fast, he's quick, he's strong and works hard," Bush said. "We just need to get him ready to go and get through that grind of a 10-game season, our conference and hopefully we earn the right to play in that second season in the playoffs. We're going to be relying on him heavily."
To haul in McCallen's passing attempts, Bush is looking at a handful of talented players at wide receiver. One of which is another transfer in Trenton Hyde who returned to Lakeview from Mathews.
"He was (Mathews') quarterback and cornerback last year, but his home district is Lakeview so he decided to come back for his senior season. He's a great athlete on both sides of the ball," Bush said.
Also being looked at is Jadon Warner who Bush said has "stepped up this year at the receiver position." The senior spent most of last season as cornerback.
"I feel like he got better every game over the season last year. On offense, his athleticism has really taken hold and we're going to be counting on him in one-on-one matchups and getting him the ball in space," Bush said.
Rounding out the receiving group is Leo Parise and Caleb Hant.
"Between those four guys, we feel good about where we're at. We also have some younger guys in the mix too. When you're playing division five football like us, you have a lot of guys playing both ways and some guys need breathers. We know we have the guys who can come in and give us good reps," Bush added.
Handling the blocking for Lakeview will be a host of linemen who have the experience to serve as weapons in Bush's offense. Bush borrowed his line of thinking as it relates to the offensive line from Jim Harbaugh.
"We view our linemen as weapons. They're not there just to stand there and plug the hole. They have to be weapons and they have to be weapons in all four quarters of the game. We're just trying to get them in that mindset to get out there and take care of business. I think our skill guys will thrive well if the line is able to do that," Bush said.
Those offensive weapons, Bush said, will be Gunner Derr, Xander Nicholas, Warren JFK transfer Alex Bates, Carter Duran, Hayden Shardy and Nolan Allen. The latter three, however, are in a constant battle for the starting spots on the left side of the line. Bush credits his offensive line and says the difference between some wins and losses will only come down to one aspect.
"It all comes down to their physicality and their will to inflict pain on their opponent. That's what we're trying to prepare them for in the preseason," he said.
DEFENSE
Flipping sides of the field, Bush said his defensive line of Derr, Shardy and Allen, as well as returning all-conference defensive end Landon Hall, will be the first line of defense.
"I think those four guys are really going to anchor us down. We have a few guys starting to step up and earn that role as a rotational backup in our defensive scheme," Bush said.
Speaking of Hall, Bush said Hall's size as a smaller defensive end will prove difficult for opponents to stop.
"He's a smaller, more athletic defensive end and I think he's going to be a problem for teams to keep contained and out of the backfield," he said.
As for the linebackers, Bush said his coaching staff feels good about the group. Much of the linebacking corps are returning players, but the centerpiece of Lakeview's defense is Hayden Newton.
"He's our lead defensive player as a two year starter. He has those uncoachable factors when it comes to instinct, making plays and getting to the football. We're really excited for him and Gabe Hernandez to lead our defense at inside linebacker," Bush said.
Rounding out the defensive unit, Bush said his defensive back rotation in Warner, Parise, Hyde, Easton, McCallen, Noah Thoma, Preston Littleton and Calan Cunningham, are fantastic communicators who do their job in making sure the defense is lined up accordingly.
"They understand the defense and what we're doing. They communicate well," Bush said. "We count on those guys on the outside and at safety to talk and communicate to our linebackers so we get our calls in and we can get set and lined up so we can play downhill defense."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Handling all kicking duties for Lakeview this year will be soccer player and returning kicker Easton Bradley. Bush said the sophomore will be utilized more than he was last season.
"He's really worked hard this offseason. We feel he's going to be a solid weapon for us, especially when it comes to field goals. He's got a pretty good leg. He's probably going to be punting for us as well so we feel very solid in that position," Bush said.
Lakeview opens the season Aug. 23 at home against Holy Name.
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