When Riley Dunlop lined up to cover Bakari Bussey in high school, few probably imagined they'd ever harbor anything but ill will toward the other.
The receivers went to Lakota East High School and Lakota West High School, respectively, which stand only two miles apart in Cincinnati. The pair played against each other every year in the schools' heated rivalry game.
The games were huge
Dunlop said. So many people would come that they had to bring extra stands and have people stand on the track to watch the game.
Dunlop and Bussey even had experience lining up against each other during games. Dunlop played both offense and defense, and covered Bussey when Lakota West was on offense.
With the rivalry being as big as it was, tensions were always high during the contests. During Dunlop's senior year, the pair almost came to blows.
Our fans were always going at it during the games Bussey said. We almost got in a fight against each other one year which is funny since we're such good friends now.
But the rivalry has turned into a friendship now that Dunlop and Bussey have gotten to know each other at Ohio. Dunlop, who is a year older than Bussey, said there was no tension between them as they got used to playing with each other.
We were definitely cool
Dunlop said. We just instantly clicked.
Dunlop and Bussey have left the hostility back in Cincinnati, and now would rather focus on becoming better players instead of conflicts in the past.
We left it all in the past
Dunlop said. It's a new chapter now and don't worry about what happened in high school.
Although the receiving core loses Taylor Price, Dunlop and Bussey are part of a very talented group. The pair, along with LaVon Brazill, Terrence McCrae and Steven Goulet, gives whoever plays quarterback for Ohio this season plenty of targets.
It's an excellent receiving core
said coach Frank Solich. The (Mid-American Conference) is a league that's filled with quality receivers
and I think we've matched that.
I'd say the sky is the limit with our group
Dunlop added.
The speedy Brazill and the tall, athletic McCrae will demand attention from teams this year, giving plenty opportunities to Goulet, Dunlop and Bussey, who all play mostly in the slot.
With so much focus going to Brazill and McCrae, the other three are hungry to get balls thrown their way this season.
We're all threats
Dunlop said. Teams know what LaVon and Terrence can do
but if you throw us into the mix
we can be dangerous.
Both Dunlop and Bussey have had impressive springs so far. Dunlop hasn't missed a beat after missing eight games last season because of a torn labrum. The redshirt junior hasn't been afraid to catch balls over the middle, despite the fact he's just recovering from an injury.
I feel good
