Youngstown native leading East to new beginnings

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The Youngstown East Golden Bears are preparing for the 2024 season under second-year head coach Devlin Culliver, who has created a new team attitude.

“Last year I had to say probably five or six times a day hustle,” said Culliver. “‘Run, hurry up, stop walking’ — I very seldom have to say that this year.”

Last season, East had an overall record of (3-7) in Culliver’s first season at head coach.

Culliver said he has 30 years of coaching experience, even coaching at Cardinal Mooney. The second-year head coach said he knows what it takes to reach the next level.

“Yeah, I played at Ohio University, played defensive back,” said Culliver. “Discipline and repetition and just trying to do stuff the right way.”

Culliver is a Youngstown native and graduated from Cardinal Mooney. He leads a team which is returning four seniors, including do-it-all offensive weapon, senior Breshean Buie.

“Build the team up, get more wins, make it to the playoffs,” said Buie.

Buie said he has been at East all of his high school career and has yet to play a playoff game. The standout Golden Bear believes this year is different and he will go out in style.

“A lot of rushing yards, a lot of receiving yards, at least 1,000 yards, at least 1,000 yards,” said Buie.

East is returning multiple offensive linemen this season. One being East standout lineman center Trent Madison, who anchors the line as a junior. Madison is backed up by 6’6 320 lb. sophomore tackle Charlie Harrison.

“I feel like this year is going to show people, coming in the near future East is going to change,” said Madison. “This is just the pavement were setting.”

Coach Culliver said with his experienced offensive line, the team will mix in read-option plays.

“Disrupt, disturb the other team,” said Madison.

The Golden Bears have only had one winning season since 2008, having an overall record of (7-4) in 2018. Coach Culliver said the new team attitude will break the cycle of losing seasons..

“I didn’t graduate from East, but I have a lot of friends who played at East, so I don’t want to let them down,” said Culliver. “It’s important to them, I want to make it important to the kids and important for myself.”

East’s first game is at Columbus Whetstone on Aug. 23.

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