BUCHANAN — it has been a rollercoaster ride for Buchanan senior Cam Lorance.

The offensive and defensive lineman has been through the highs and lows of a program that went from playing in back-to-back postseasons to winning one game each of the last two seasons.

Lorance is also on his third coach in four years.

But through it all, he has kept his head high and is hoping to help the Buchanan football program start the rebuilding process tonight when Buchanan hosts perennial postseason powerhouse Schoolcraft.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Field.

Lorance remembers being around the Buchanan football team when his brother was a senior in 2015. That Buchanan team went 11-1, falling to Ida in the regional championship game.

As a freshman, he helped the Bucks go 5-3 to qualify for the playoffs once again. Buchanan only played eight games that season and lost to Dowagiac in the closing minutes of the pre-district contest.

Coach Reid McBeth resigned following that season and Orville Thomas replaced him.

The Bucks went 1-8 both of Thomas’ seasons. He stepped down, and Mark Frey replaced him in June.

“It has been crazy because when you play with people who have not been on a successful team you expect a lot more than what you get,” Lorance said. “So, it is hard sometimes as a leader because you have to change your mindset based on who is on your team. I have played with some really good football players. Now it is a lot different, but they are coming along, and we have a fantastic coach now.”

Lorance said that everyone on the team is excited about having a new coach and a new system. He is hoping that will translate into more victories and a more competitive season for the Bucks.

“It is interesting in watching a program be so successful and then backtrack a bit there,” Frey said. “I think the nice thing is that these seniors have experienced the playoffs. We are not coming here and talking about a make-believe thing. They know they can do it. So now, it is about getting the numbers out and getting them to buy-in and understand the culture change that has to occur. You are not just going to walk out and win games. You have to put in the work. You have to hit the weights and buy into the system.”

Lorance said he has enjoyed his four years at Buchanan despite the ups and downs.

“It has been just a blast to go out there and play in front of your whole town,” he said. “It is so much fun. You make friends that you will have for a lifetime. Obviously, you want to win, but you want to have a ton of fun just going out there and balling.”

During the lean years, Lorance has tried to be a steadying force for the Bucks.

“I just try to better my teammates by giving them advice,” he said. “I try to better myself each day but going to the weight room and working out.”

The senior class is trying to instill into the underclassman that this is the year they can begin rebuilding the Buchanan legacy.

“I tell them, we have to get better every day,” he said. “When we keep working up to it, even if we lose a game, once we start winning they are never going to have more fun in their lives. Like when we made the playoffs, it was so much fun because we won five games in a row or something. When you start winning varsity games, you will want to keep getting better and better.”

The Bucks have a strong schedule facing them with perennial playoff qualifiers Constantine, Saugatuck, Berrien Springs and Brandywine left after their season opener against the Eagles.