There's a lot for the Nottingham Bulldogs football team to get used to over the next couple of weeks. There's a new football facility, new field turf, new coaching staff, new playbook, but the one thing that is comforting is the fact many of these kids have played together since they were kids. That family type of vibe has made it that much easier to get used to all the changes heading into 2011.
"For the first few days we're catching on very quick," says senior Tresan Bachus, "everybody is starting to learn and get on the same page the coaches are on, and we're all getting together."
"Our strength is going to be family," explains brand new head coach Nick Patterson, "the kids have been working hard, a lot of them have played pop warner together since they were little. And kids are believing in the system and know that we have a couple of alumni on staff, and that makes it better so the kids see that we've been through the same things they're going through."
Patterson replaces former head coach John Sealy, who retired in the off-season. And while the former Tully head coach says Nottingham has always had solid coaching and leadership, he's happy to see the kids buying into the new system, determined to make up for missing the playoffs last season.
"Coach tells us all the time that he's gonna give us the tools to built a mansion," explains senior Kasiem Mitchell, "and if we do that, and if we work hard we're gonna have a great season."
Nottingham opens up it's season at home against Rome on September 2nd.
