The 2023 football season has arrived, but things will look a little different for the Bulldogs as they welcome former Youngstown State tight end Derrick Bush. Bush attended high school at Circleville and played football at Youngstown State from 2005–2008.
The Lakeview Bulldogs have had trouble the last couple of seasons finding a leader for the team, but they now welcome Coach Bush as the leader of Lakeview football. Bush is no one new to the team, as he has been an assistant and offensive line coach for the Bulldogs for the last couple of years.
Players were asked what they thought about Coach Bush and how he’s turning the program around.
Senior football captain Sam Balest stated, “Coach Bush is honestly such a great person and coach. He’s been around the program for the past couple of years, and he’s helped us improve so much, especially up front. He’s pushed us to new levels and brought us out of our losing mindset. He has been so special to this program in so many ways, and he’s completely turning the football program at Lakeview around for our future.”
Senior football captain Tyler Hovance stated, “At the end of last year when we were coachless, I always knew that Coach Bush was the right guy for the job. Being with the program for many years, always putting smiles on our faces, and just knowing how to get the best out of us when we need it. I have known Coach Bush for a while now, and he’s always been a great guy. I’m excited to see what our future as a program holds for us.”
It is not easy to have a new leader after just getting one the previous year, but the Bulldogs have to trust in the process and know that the best of the best will be put in charge, and that is exactly what happened.
Growing pains in the past seasons have been a struggle, but Coach Bush is here for a change and has the program back in the right direction.
Senior football captain Samuel Gillis added, “Bush is special to me because he came into a messy coaching situation and was able to take control and point us in the right direction. He’s really setting up a new culture in Lakeview football, I know the future years are bright with the new hardworking culture he’s created.”
The Bulldogs have not had a winning season since 2017, when they went 9-2. Since then, it’s been a roller coaster for not just athletes and coaches but fans also.
The Bulldogs went 4-6 in 2018, 2-8 in 2019, 1-7 in 2020, 0-10 in 2021, and 3-7 in 2022.
Losing is not easy, especially five years in a row without a winning season, but the Bulldogs have not given up and never will!
Junior Thomas Easton added, “Coach Bush is very special to me as a coach. As a new player at Lakeview, he has welcomed me and made me feel at home. He is a great guy and helps us players to be the best versions of ourselves on and off the field, and I am very excited to see where he takes this program in the future.”
Bush is not just a football coach, he is married and a great father. Outside and inside of football, Coach Bush is always making others smile and laugh and is teaching a brotherhood here at Lakeview.
The Bulldogs have started out hot this season under Bush and definitely are not the same team as previous years.
Currently sitting at 3-1 after beating Labrea, Jefferson, and Liberty, the Bulldogs will play home this Friday, 9/15, at 7:00 p.m. against the Niles Red Dragons.
The Bulldogs will finish the second half of the regular season with Girard, Struthers, Hubbard, Poland, and end the season with Beaver Local.
Come out and support your Bulldogs against Niles this Friday and show what the new culture is like here at Lakeview!
