WEST CHESTER TWP. — Tom Bolden has spent more than three decades coaching football and two decades as a head coach.
The competition still drives him.
“I hate losing more than I enjoy winning,” Bolden said. “That’s kind of sad if you think about it, but it helps drive me. But the journey, the process of it all, the preparation, being with kids, being with the coaches — that part’s special.”
That drive has helped establish Lakota West as one of Southwest Ohio’s most consistent Division I programs. But as Bolden begins his 20th season as a head coach, the Firebirds enter 2026 trying to recapture more than victories.
They want to recapture their identity.
Lakota West finished 7-5 overall and 6-3 in the Greater Miami Conference last season, a step back after consecutive 11-win campaigns. The Firebirds lost four regular-season games, including a 42-28 defeat to rival Lakota East, before beating Hamilton 30-0 in the playoffs and falling 33-14 to Moeller in the second round.
Senior center Carter Brueshaber said the difference Lakota West wants to make this fall begins with chemistry.
“We’re focusing a lot on brotherhood this year,” Brueshaber said. “Last year, the team was kind of divided — offense, defense, certain groups of kids, certain other groups of kids. … This year, it’s not about individuals. It’s not about how your stats are. It’s about how do we get better as a team?”
The Firebirds have plenty of talent to build around.
Senior quarterback Jackson Smith returns after completing 137 of 225 passes for 1,959 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. His 1,959 passing yards ranked third on Lakota West’s single-season list.
Senior running back Kenyon Norman gives the offense another proven playmaker after earning first-team All-GMC honors. Tight end Xavier Ratica, a Louisville commit, and defensive lineman Reilly Newman, an Iowa commit, provide size and versatility.
Bolden is particularly encouraged by an offensive line anchored by Brueshaber and Lawson Robinson, with junior Marvelous Elendu among the newcomers expected to contribute.
“If we can execute, we’ve got a chance to be pretty good,” Bolden said.
The defense could be even more experienced.
Lakota West returns most of its front seven after losing standout linebacker Cam Thomas, who is now at Illinois. Senior Andrew Fryer recorded 107 tackles last season, while Judah Blair earned first-team All-GMC honors as a sophomore. Fryer had 21 tackles in the playoff loss to Moeller.
Newman and Eli Hodge return up front, while Bolden expects sophomores Amir and Ramir Allen to add depth. Roman Combs moves to safety to help stabilize a secondary replacing several starters.
“We’ve got all the pieces,” Bolden said. “There’s no question about it on the O and D standpoint.”
Lakota West won’t have long to find out how those pieces fit.
The Firebirds open Friday at home against St. Xavier before hosting Lakota East on Aug. 28.
That demanding start is intentional. Bolden had his team scrimmage Elder and Winton Woods for the same reason.
“You better find out earlier than later what your weaknesses are,” Bolden said. “The good teams, the good coaches, they’ll expose your weaknesses.”
Brueshaber welcomes the challenge — especially after the way last season ended against Lakota East.
“I think they’re going to see the opposite of the team they saw last year,” Brueshaber said. “They’re going to see we’re all playing football for the right reasons, and we’re going to play together and we’re going to have some fun.”
That togetherness, Bolden said, may be the most encouraging part.
“This group, man, they are tight-knit,” Bolden said. “They take care of one another. They get after one another. They look out for one another.
“It’s a good group, for sure. Great chemistry.”
