SWAMPSCOTT — After years of carrying his family’s football legacy at Swampscott High School, senior Will Bush is ready to begin building one of his own.

Bush has committed to play football at Assumption University (Div. 2) in Worcester. The choice, he said, was easy.

“Right after I got home from the visit at Assumption, I felt this was the school for me,’’ said Bush, who finished his senior season with more than 1,000 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.

Football runs deep in the Bush family. Will’s father, Peter, has coached him through his high school career. Peter was hired as an assistant coach at Swampscott in 2010 and has served as head coach for the past three years. Will’s younger brother, Ty, is now a sophomore in the program.

The family’s football ties date back generations. Will’s grandfather, Bill, coached football at the high school for 25 years — 12 as the head coach — and Peter grew up immersed in the program.

“One of the things I knew when I was growing up was that I always wanted to play for the Big Blue, to put on the Big Blue uniform,” Peter said. “ I was fortunate to come back here and be coach.”

It also allowed Peter to have a hand in his son’s growth.

“I’m extremely proud of everything that he has accomplished,” Peter said. “Will is really excited to be a part of the Assumption family and I am too.”

Life as a Swampscott football player

During the season, the schedule is demanding. The team practices Monday through Thursday, with games on Fridays. Competing in the Northeastern Conference, Swampscott faces area schools through a fast-paced, physical schedule that requires discipline and teamwork.

Peter said football was ultimately his son’s choice.

“It was a decision that he made, and I’m really glad that he did because the game of football teaches you a lot of life lessons,” he said.

Will began playing tackle football in 5th grade and eventually developed into a running back and linebacker.

His time at Swampscott has shaped him on and off the field.

“People that I have met throughout the school, the district, and the sports team have played a huge role in making me the person and football player who I am today,’’ Will said.

Peter describes his son as more than just a strong athlete.

“Will is a hard worker, a great teammate, and a great locker guy,” Peter said. “With Will being a team captain and one of our hard workers, he will be able to transition to Assumption very well. The lessons he learned here over his four years will be taken with him.’’

Coaching and fatherhood

Peter draws from his own experience playing under his father.

“I wanted my coaches to be honest — to tell me if I did something right or wrong,” Peter said.

He sees similarities between his own approach to the game and his son’s.

“He was very similar to how I wanted to be coached and understood the importance of practice,” Peter said.

Watching Will rise through the same youth program as he once did has been meaningful.

“Will had the same experience as I did, coming up from the youth program here in high school,” Peter said. “Being able to experience that with him as I did with my father, it was unique.”

Julia Rockler is a student at Endicott College studying journalism. This story is written in partnership with the Massachusetts News Service.