Elmwood’s Micah Oliver (2) scores a touchdown in the Royals’ Division V playoff win over Eastwood last November.

    BLOOMDALE — Elmwood coach Greg Bishop, 35-31 in his seven years at Elmwood (also 12-18 at North Baltimore from 2013-15) and district Coach of the Year in 2021, has 14 lettermen returning.

    That is validating why Bishop thinks the Royals have an opportunity to fare well in their first year competing in the Blanchard Valley Conference.

    “We return a lot of experience up front on both sides of the ball,” Bishop said. “We have players who were not necessarily ‘starters’ but they gained a ton of experience on Friday nights last season.

    “We will lean on them as we break in some new players in key spots. We have some spots on both sides of the ball that are not battle tested. There are players stepping up in key spots and we have a lot of confidence in them.”

    Of course, there is one caveat — avoiding injuries — an issue every coach has to deal with.

    “Staying healthy is key to the 2023 season,” Bishop said. “We have a lot of confidence in our players and they are embracing what it means to play Elmwood football. We will rely on our toughness and physicality for the 2023 season.”

    Returning for the Royals is 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior wide receiver and defensive back Micah Oliver, who Bishop says, “returns with a lot of experience on both sides” of the line of scrimmage and “is a playmaker on both sides.”

    Oliver caught 48 passes for 734 yards and nine touchdowns and also had 10 carries for 68 yards and three scores last season.

    Oliver was an honorable mention All-Ohio and first team All-NBC and all-district defensive back selection.

    Oliver or Pierson Parsons may play quarterback this year as Bishop says they were in a preseason competition for the spot. At back-up last year for the now-graduated Hayden Wickard, Parsons threw just eight passes last year, but one was a completion covering 94 yards.

    Joining Oliver at the skilled positions is 5-9, 160-pound senior WR/DB Brennan Hiser, an experienced player in the defensive secondary and also a “playmaker” on both sides, according to Bishop. Hiser was second team All-NBC and HM all-district at DB last year.

    At receiver, Hiser had nine catches for 190 yards and a TD last year, Brady Mareches caught two passes for 33 yards, and Griffin Piper had one reception for three yards.

    At wide receiver, Bishop feels he has a good core of athleticism to work with.

    “Micah Oliver, Kade Lentz, Brennan Hiser, Brady Mareches, Griffin Piper, Gavin Solarik — all are great athletes, and some are stepping into new spots for the first time,” Bishop said. “Kade Lentz is a great athlete and has a very good sense of spacing as a receiver. Just a great athlete overall.”

    Bishop says 5-9, 175-pound junior running back Andrew Traxler, who saw playing time as a sophomore, “runs hard and physical.” Traxler had 36 carries for 217 yards and two TDs last year.

    “(Traxler) has better vision at running back than last year, has increased his speed and runs physically,” said Bishop.

    Conner Sterling, a 5-9, 185-pound junior middle linebacker, “has stepped up as a vocal leader on the defense” and “plays with a high motor.” Bishop adds that “not only has his play improved, but his leadership on the defense has improved as well.”

    Jesus Almarez, a 5-8, 180 junior MLB, is “football smart and has a nose for the ball,” Bishop said.

    Owen Seedorf, a 6-2, 205-pound senior outside linebacker, is also “very disciplined and plays with a high motor.” Seedorf was an HM all-district and second team All-NBC defensive end last season.

    Clinton Ankney is another key player at the linebacker position who Bishop says plays “very physical” and “has a nose for the ball.”

    “Clinton Ankney has worked hard all offseason and has shown to be a physical player,” Bishop added.

    Jimmie Palmer, a 5-10, 230-pound senior guard who is “very disciplined,” returning as an honorable mention All-Ohio offensive lineman. He was also first team all-district and All-NBC at his offensive guard position.

    Luke Barringer returns after garnering HM all-district and second team All-NBC honors on the offensive line last year.

    ELMWOOD SCHEDULE

    Aug. 18 @ Evergreen

    Aug. 25 EASTWOOD

    Sept. 1 RIVERDALE

    Sept. 8 @ Arlington

    Sept. 15 LIBERTY-BENTON

    Sept. 23 @ Lima Central Catholic

    Sept. 29 ARCADIA

    Oct. 6 @ McComb

    Oct. 13 EDON

    Oct. 20 @ Pandora-Gilboa

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