SYRACUSE -- A new era has begun for the Nottingham Bulldogs with first year Head Coach Nick Patterson taking over, but the key to "new look" Bulldogs just may be one of the veteran members. The 2011 season started long before the first day of practice for Tre'San Bachus. The team captain organized workouts over the summer to get the Bulldogs ready to go once camp opened up. You could see the positive results from that last friday when Nottingham won its season opener over R-F-A.
"He's been kind of like the coach when I'm not here," admits Patterson, "and I appreciate that big time. Academically is doing well, so he looks forward to moving on and playing College ball, so I think he's gonna be one of our top players this year."
"I think my leadership is gonna get us to go further and further," explains Bachus, "because I push everybody to work harder, because I'm gonna keep pushing harder for them to go harder."
The senior running back and defensive back says his goal this year is to lead the Bulldogs back to the postseason, a level the team missed last season. His teammates say when they need a leader, bachus is the one they turn to.
"He's a good leader," says junior Kasiem Mitchell, "he's like a brother to me, he leads the team. He shows leadership, hard work, you know, he's a good example, a roll model. He's a big factor on the offense and the defense, he plays a big factor, he plays corner and he plays running back. Give him the ball in the open field and he's gone!!"
Bachus is hoping to continue his football career in college, and says so far Hobart and St. John Fisher have contacted him about playing at the next level. In the meantime Bachus continues to make a big impact to his team, and to his community.
"Off the field I like to play basketball, get around and help out the neighborhood, and just keep everybody focussed, like the little kids coming up. I like to keep them focussed, keep them off the streets."
Congratulations to Tre'San Bachus, this week's CNY Central Athlete.
