Oliver expected to key potent Elmwood offense

BLOOMVILLE – When you have a player on your team who is as talented as Mason Oliver, lots of things look better Even the coaching. "Sometimes we've got a bad call, but he makes us coaches look good," said Elmwood coach Greg Bishop. "He's a dynamic player, great person, great kid. So, having him back is huge going into 2022." Elmwood had a great season in 2021, and Oliver was in the middle of most of it. He ran for 2,300 yards on 199 carries – an average of more than 11 ½ yards a rush. He scored 29 touchdowns on the ground, and added three TD receptions for good measure. And on defense, Oliver made five tackles for a loss and picked off a pass. As Oliver was succeeding, so were the Royals. They finished 10-2, advancing to the third round of the Division V postseason. Now, with 2022 on the horizon, Oliver returns, along with a number of other Elmwood veterans. The possibility exists for another big season, something of which Bishop is very aware. But he said that he – and his coaching staff and players – will not be altering their approach. "We want to be 1-0 every week, we want to contend for a league title, and get to the playoffs and contend for a state title," Bishop said. "So, our goals haven't changed. We have the same goals going forward. There's a lot of excitement with our kids, and we've just got to keep that chip on our shoulder moving forward." Oliver gets much of the attention, but Elmwood is stocked with other offensive standouts. The list starts with the returning starter at quarterback, Hayden Wickard, who threw for more that 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns, while completing more than 64 percent of his passes. Bishop said Wickard has enhanced something else in his arsenal. "Watching him this offseason, so far in camp and the two-a-days, he's definitely progressed as a running threat," Bishop said of Wickard. "He knows the offense inside-out now, he's a lot more comfortable." One of Wickard's top targets is expected to be Mason Mossbarger, who caught 39 passes for 462 yards and five TDs. Joining Mossbarger at receiver will be Micah Oliver and Alex Arnold. "They're tall, they have speed," Bishop said. "They can go up and get the ball, so having that to balance us out takes some of the stress off of Mason. "And if you're going to load the box, we can make you hurt for that," he said. Up front, the Royals will be returning three starters, including Zach May, who Bishop said has been working out at center and guard. "He's the brains of our offensive line; he makes a lot of our checks," Bishop said. Also back is Jimmie Palmer, who will occupy a guard spot, and Allen Sterling – who missed last season due to a leg injury –will play guard. Owen Seedorf and Jake Barringer will figure into things; Barringer spent last season at left tackle. "We're returning a lot of experience up front, and just watching these guys click as the year progresses, that's huge for us," Bishop said. "We'll be able to do some different things because we have speed up front." While Mason Oliver figures to key the offense, Bishop said the Royals will be careful to not wear him out. He said Andrew Traxler and Broden Reynolds will see time in the backfield. "You don't want to wear and beat Mason Oliver down throughout the season," Bishop said. "We've got to keep him fresh. He's playing defense as well." Bishop said his team's defensive line features many of the same players on the offensive line, but there are some differences. "We have a newcomer (on the defensive line) Thomas Veryser who came out last year," Bishop said. "He looks like he'll be tough up front at defensive end. He's fast, he's physical, and he just goes." The coach aid Tanner Pennington will see time on the line. At the linebacker spots, the Royals will be looking to Adam Meyer and Sterling on the inside, with Cannon Endicott, Frank Blair and possibly Micah Oliver on the outside. Elmwood returns almost its entire secondary. Mason Oliver, Mossbarger, Alex Arnold, Brennan Hiser and Declan Row all are back in the defensive backfield. Bishop added that Micah Oliver might see time in the secondary. "The NBC's a tough league," Bishop said. "We can't take a week off, we can't lose focus on any week."