2012 Dogwood Circle Two-A-Day Tour: Elkhart Elks

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August 11, 2012

2012 Dogwood Circle Two-A-Day Tour: Elkhart Elks

By JUSTIN RAINS CNHI The Palestine Herald-Press Sat Aug 11, 2012, 06:50 PM CDT

ELKHART — The Elkhart football program saw marked improvement in its two years under coach John Adair.

As the Elks get ready to move into 2012, Adair made the decision to step aside and focus mostly on baseball. In steps Sam Wells, former head man at Frankston.

Wells has a proven track record, having led his past two Indian teams to the playoffs and having sent five players to Division I football programs in the past three years.

The Elks won four games each of the past two seasons, and a return trip to the playoffs in 2012 will be hard work, given how stacked the new District 11-2A, Division I is set to be.

Along with the Elks will be perennial powers Crockett and Franklin, a strong Teague team and newly-2A Westwood. Only three teams get to make the playoffs.

But, the Elks’ main goal should be on improving as a team, and they seem to have the personnel to do just that. They may even make a little noise before it’s all said and done.

3 THINGS TO WATCH

The learning curve — Wells brings with him a new offense, which means that Elkhart’s players will be learning their third offensive scheme in as many years after a slight change from 2010 to 2011. How fast both the players and coaches pick up that scheme — similar to what Wells ran at Frankston — the sooner they can begin perfecting it.

A dynamic backfield — Wells is no stranger to dynamic backfields. Two years ago he had Jamal Allen and Treston Coleman, and last year had Coleman and Michael Warren. All three of those players are at D-I schools. This year might not be much different. Led by star running back Jeffrey Wilson, the Elkhart backfield should be strong. A quarterback competition between senior Kevin Kidd and junior Jordan Ives should serve to make both better, no matter the starter.

About that QB battle — In the first week of practices, both Kidd and Ives have looked strong. Kidd brings a more athletic dynamic to the table, but the younger Ives is a coach’s son, and very smart. Both would be good options, and no team has ever needed less depth at the quarterback position.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Nolan Watson/Seth Hollingsworth, Srs., OL/DL — With all the talent at the skill positions, this duo still may be Elkhart’s most important. They are expected to anchor the team at each tackle spot offensively, while also contributing defensively. How well they keep defenders off of the Elkhart backs will directly affect how well those backs perform.

THEY SAID IT

“All the kids are into it. They are focused and all about working hard. We’ve had a good, positive atmosphere.”

— EHS coach Sam Wells, on the team’s attitude during the first week of practices

———

Sports Editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com

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