Royals have gained experience, ready for 2024

BLOOMDALE – The 2023 season was one transition for Elmwood's football team.A season removed from a run to the Division V regional final – one of the best seasons in program history – the Royals worked in new players in a new league: The Blanchard Valley Conference.The results were somewhat mixed. In 2023, Elmwood struggled to a 2-4 record in the BVC, and was just 3-7 overall."BVC teams are tough," said Royals coach Greg Bishop. "They're gonna play you hard; they don't care who you are. In my days at North Baltimore – we were in the BVC the two years I was there – they're tough-nosed kids."We're another year familiar with them, so that helps, going forward."But there were positives. Elmwood – with its young and inexperienced roster – qualified for a spot in the Division V postseason.The Royals lost to the top seeded team in Region 18, Liberty Center, 56-14.But it was an experience Bishop knows his program will learn from."It's an extra week of preparation, an extra week of reps, an extra week of kids getting better," he said. "So that's huge. Every year we go to the playoffs, that's another week."And for the Royals, every week has made a difference."We have some experience that returns from last year, some kids that got five or six games experience," Bishop said. "We've had kids come back that, the lights aren't too bright for them."On offense, the Royals will be looking to sophomore quarterback Owen Traxler to make an impact, as well as a number of running backs: seniors Jesus Almarez, Gavin Solarik and Peyton Schafer.There also is a veteran presence on the offensive line, with junior Trey Morris, senior Jack Hummell, sophomores Chris Clark and Emmitt Hedberg. "I think right now, we have young kids who have experience," Bishop said. "A lot of kids…they're doing what they're supposed to do, they're bought in, they're working really hard, doing the little things right. That's what we've been preaching to the kids all year so far, do the little things right, and the big things take care of themselves."On defense, Bishop said the Royals will be utilizing a 4-3 front. Much like on offense, the team has returners."We return a decent amount of guys with experience up front," he said. "We return a lot of linebackers; all three of our linebackers return with experience. Secondary-wise, they all return with a decent amount of experience."On special teams, Bishop said that right now, it looks like Garrett Harrison – who is listed as a tight end and linebacker – is handling the punting.Meanwhile, Noah Gerkens, a wide receiver/defensive back, could handle place kicking."We're still kind of fine-tuning things on that side of the ball," Bishop said.Bishop said when it comes to expectations, he always keeps the message simple."The whole goal is, you want to compete for a state title," he said. "The goals are lofty, but if you never put them out there, you're never aiming for them. It's always our message to kids: We want to be 1-0 every week, then we want to make some noise in the postseason."