Nothing is better than Lakeview coming back after a couple of rough games. Even when this year’s football team has had its ups and downs due to injuries, losing, and playing competitive teams, we still know how to come back as a team.
Our Senior night was packed with numerous events. The football seniors, accompanied by their parents, started off early as they walk down the field. Next, the band played a few songs and during the last song; they lined up where the band seniors with their parents could walk through. After that there was a time of celebration and the game!
During this year’s Senior game, Lakeview came back better than ever before. After losing 4 games in a row, the Dogs won 28 to 14 against the Eagles.
In all of Division 5, LHS has the 5th hardest schedule in the state of Ohio this year. Due to their constant training and practice, our boys have managed to stand firm.
We were down 7 to 14 in the first half of the game and after some encouraging words from head Coach Derrick Bush during halftime; the boys pushed us 28 to 14.
Quarterback Senior Sam Gillis explains states, “Senior year has been the best year of football so far, the success that we’ve enjoyed so far has been a relief from years before. I prepare by being around all my teammates playing music getting hyped up before taking the field for warm-ups. Every week we go into the games expecting to win. Senior night was special to us though because we knew we wanted to make memories. The crowd helps every game. Especially on senior night, whenever we scored, you could hear the whole town cheer for us. I’m extremely happy with how senior night went. I know these are memories I’ll have forever.”
Even through the game the team still knows how to make memories.
Senior Nolan Toth demonstrates, “I have enjoyed senior year a lot, it’s been the best team I’ve been a part of, and winning is awesome. Lots of hard work every day running play over and over, getting everything right and making sure we’re prepared for the opponent makes us a stronger team. We knew going into senior night we would take a win. All we had to do was limit big plays from Hubbard. Crowd support always helps the energy flow for us to get our heads in the game. I’m very happy it was probably my favorite game I’ve ever played, and it was an amazing experience for my final home game.”
The team has worked hard in their off season.
Senior Sam Balest shares, “This year has been so enjoyable, especially because it’s my senior year. All the guys are bought in and we are ready to keep rolling into the playoffs. Preparation for the week starts on Monday. Keeping our bodies hydrated and ready is the most important part. We work all throughout the week staying prepared for the game Friday, reviewing and going through our daily routines by positions. Obviously we went into this year thinking we are going to win. Coach Bush has told us since last November that we are going to be successful. l next year, if we work hard throughout the year and in summer. We just put it all together this year, and we knew this team was going to be special. The crowd at our games is a huge part of our success. The support we have from our community is unreal, and it hasn’t felt this good playing behind the whole time in a while. I’m extremely happy about our senior night win Friday. It was a total win all around everyone doing their job, and we just fought all throughout the night. It was great pulling out a win with the senior guys. We just have a great group of men that have been itching a win for a long time.”
Countless hours have been poured into these games by the entire team, down to the smallest detail.
For Lakeview’s final home game this year, it was more than a blast. Even though it was a great game, it was hard to see some of the seniors play their last home game.
Freshman Nolan Allen expresses, “Playing my last home game this year was really just an eye opening for me that time flies and that I won’t have much time left together with the seniors. From seeing them in the offseason to now seeing how it’s our last home game together really doesn’t feel real and shows that it won’t be the same with them gone. When the seniors leave, I’m sure there will be many emotions going through my mind but one of which will be 100% be sadness. To see them go and realize how different it’s going to be without their guidance. They truly have had a great impact on me and my teammates and their leadership has had a great impression on us. My favorite memory with them this year was definitely the offseason workouts and the basketball games we used to play after them.”
These seniors not only perform well, they also leave a lasting impression on their teammates.
Junior Thomas Easton says, “The last home game brought many emotions to me because I knew it meant so much to the seniors and I was excited to bring a win. I am very sad to see all the seniors go after how much they have impacted us. I see them as family and they are like my brothers. My favorite memory is all the success we’ve had on the field and the bonding we’ve done off the field.
As emotions strike the team, they make it out stronger as family. Even with this season coming to an end, the Bulldogs have made wonderful memories they will cherish forever.
