BY JEFF FALK

MYERSTOWN – It’s not a total tear-it-all-down-and-rebuild-it-from-scratch kind of thing. They’re not going to raze it, and then raise it again.

It’s more of a re-assessment. A re-direction. A re-thinking. A re-evaluation.

It is has very little to do with winning and losing. In fact, last season’s win total may have been more of an effect than a cause.

But however you want to slice it, when the Elco football program says it’s beginning anew this season, the Raiders might mean it more than they ever have before. It’s an emphasis on team building and individual responsibility and character that the Raiders want to spill on to the practice field, and then eventually have translate on to the playing field.

But it’s no longer a means to an end. The journey has become more important than the destination.

“I’m really pleased with having the renewed focus of the men we’re building,” said Elco head coach Bob Miller. “I think that’s something the players are reaping rewards from, just from the chemistry and bonds they’re building. Our kids fight. That will be the trademark of our season.

“Every kid’s a leader,” continued Miller. “Some go down the wrong path. Some people do the right things. But you lead by example. We talk about allowing them to have a voice in their program. They’re all responsible and holding each other accountable. I think we’re creating a culture where the kids are afforded a voice.”

The Raiders have already seen the benefits that the new emphasis and the new direction have produced. But it is a process that will continue throughout the year, one that will be tested when adversity ultimately hits and one that Elco is hoping will become a staple in its program for years to come.

“We want to be better men,” said Miller, who’s in his seventh season as the Raiders’ head man. “We wanted a better team camp. We wanted better team chemistry. They (his players) said they want to be better leaders and they wanted a better team experience.

“It’s on me, a ton,” Miller added. “I’ll take full responsibility for last year. But this year’s on the kids. We’ll provide the time, we’ll provide the means. But they have to build the bonds and the relationships.”

Record-wise, last season was Elco’s least successful under Miller. The Raiders went 2-8 and struggled with consistency and competitiveness.

For the five years prior, Miller’s Raiders had been right around .500 – 6-4, 5-5 or 4-6.

Actually, 2018 will mark the 50th season of Elco football. Overall, the program sports an all-time record of 230-271-2.

“It’s what we earned,” said Miller of 2017. “The best thing about last year is that our players learned from it. This year there’s a different team culture. They’re doing things differently. Every team is different. You can’t hang it on last year. You can’t wallow in it.

“Training camp has been terrific,” added Miller. “The preseason started in the weight room. We got more guys in there. The more you’re there, the more you’re invested. As far as Xs and Os go, we’re where we need to be.”

Elco’s roster of 40 student-athletes is comprised of a dozen seniors and 14 11th-graders. The Raiders return five starters on offense and five on defense.

“I like the team culture they’re building,” said Miller of his charges. “It makes a big difference in practice. It’ll make a difference in games. And I like our team strength. They really hit the weight room.

“Our depth is always a concern,” continued Miller. “But I’m not really sure until tomorrow (his team’s first and only scrimmage, against Garden Spot). It doesn’t matter how many people you have on the roster. It matters how many players you have.”

Elco is building upon and around sophomore signal-caller Braden Bohannon. Even though he’s poised, talented and intelligent, there’s lot of pressure being placed on the shoulders of the tenth-grader.

The Raiders will attempt to lighten that load by surrounding Bohannon with athletic skill people, namely senior Ethan Kissinger, senior Darian Ulrich, senior Jaron Ulrich, junior Erik Williams, junior Evan Huey, junior Austin Martin, junior Brenden Nauman and freshman Luke Williams.

“Kyle Knight was a kid who came through here and he was one of those players who was so incredible to coach,” said Miller. “He was so bright and so smart. I think he surprised some people.

“As the year went on, I think Braden became that type of player last year,” Miller continued. “Braden showed he can really excel in this offense. He’s got a lot of guts. He’s incredibly intelligent. I think it helps him being a multi-sport athlete. And I think football helps him in his other sports.”

Through hard work and discipline, the Raiders continue to refine and redefine who they are up front. The once boys on their ways to becoming men are senior Sam Montijo, senior Joe Nelson, senior C.J. Rank, junior Austin Sprenkle and sophomore Jon Bopp.

“From Day One, we’ve had better a better team experience,” said Miller. “We’ve had better team bonding. We want to come out and play hard. If we do that, we’ll find success.

“We’re looking at it like the preparation will never end,” continued Miller. “We’re going to stay with doing the right thing. You can’t be good on the field if you’re not in practice. The game stuff is now. We’re ready for our scrimmage and love having the opportunity to compete against someone else.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To purchase images in this article email jkfalk2005@yahoo.com, or to view more go to https://lebanonsportsbuzz.com/photo-gallery/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Elco Football Roster

Jersey #	First Name	Last Name	Year	Height	Weight	Position
1	Josh	Behney	Sr.	5′ 7″	155	RB/DB
2	Owen	Kahl	So.	5′ 11″	175	QB/DL
3	Ethan	Kissinger	Sr.	5′ 10″	180	WR/LB
5	Darian	Ulrich	Sr.	5′ 8	135	QB/DB
7	Erik	Williams	Jr.	5′ 11″	180	TE/LB
9	Cole	Thomas	Fr.	5′ 9″	175	QB/LB
10	Jaron	Ulrich	Sr.	5′ 9	135	WR/DB
11	Austin	Martin	Jr.	6′ 0″	155	WR/DB
17	Braden	Bohannon	So.	5′ 10″	165	QB/DB
21	Elijah	Herb	Sr.	6′ 3″	180	WR/DB
24	Austin	Funk	Sr.	5′ 10	175	RB/DL
25	Jordan	Fernandez	Jr.	6′ 0″	185	RB/LB
30	CJ	Rank	Sr.	5′ 10″	200	TE/DL
32	Luke	Williams	Fr.	6′ 1″	175	RB/LB
34	George	Rentas	So.	5′ 8″	175	RB/LB
38	Brenden	Nauman	Jr.	6′ 0	155	RB/LB
40	Michael	Torres	Sr.	5′ 10″	160	WR/LB
41	Avery	Fritsch	So.	5′ 10	170	RB/LB
42	Hunter	Hockley	Jr.	5′ 10″	175	RB/DL
50	Robert	Walck	Sr.	5′ 9″	195	OL/DL
52	Logan	Tice	So.	5′ 9″	205	OL/DL
53	Austin	Sprenkle	Jr.	5′ 10″	190	OL/LB
57	Ben	Wargo	So.	5′ 10″	225	OL/DL
61	John	Ball	So.	6’1″	195	OL/DL
62	Ethan	Balderrama	Jr.	5′ 10″	170	OL/DL
63	Sam	Montijo	Sr.	5′ 10″	225	OL/DL
65	Baily	Beamesderfer	So.	5′ 11″	195	OL/DL
66	Joe	Nelson	Sr.	6′ 4″	270	OL/DL
68	Adam	Koehler	Sr.	5′ 9″	240	OL/DL
72	Wyatt	Hermansky	Jr.	6′ 1″	220	OL/DL
75	Jalil	Shouse	Jr.	5’11”	240	OL/DL
77	Zach	Groff	Jr.	5′ 10″	180	OL/DL
79	Jon	Bopp	So.	6′ 0″	285	OL/DL
80	Jeremy	Kline	So.	5′ 9″	135	WR/DB
84	Richard	Greene	Jr.	5′ 6″	160	RB/LB
85	Jason	Wehr	Jr.	5′ 9″	150	WR/DB
87	Andre	Magee	Jr.	6′ 1″	190	TE/DL
88	Evan	Huey	Jr.	5′ 7″	145	WR/DB
89	Andrew	Tracey	So.	5′ 11″	160	WR/DB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Elco Football Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION
08/24	Susquenita	7:00 PM	Elco High School
08/31	Lebanon	7:00 PM	Elco High School
09/07 *	@Lancaster Catholic	7:00 PM	Lancaster Catholic High School
09/14	@Octorara	7:00 PM	Octorara Area High School
09/21 *	Northern Lebanon	7:00 PM	Elco High School
09/28	@Ephrata	7:00 PM	Ephrata High School
10/05 *	Donegal	7:00 PM	Elco High School
10/12 *	Pequea Valley	7:00 PM	Elco High School
10/19 *	@Annville-Cleona	7:00 PM	Annville-Cleona High School
10/26 *	@Columbia	7:00 PM	Columbia High School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Elco Football Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elco Football History

YEAR COACH WINS LOSSES TIES SECTION DISTRICT

1969 Fred Poorman 4 4 0

1970 Fred Poorman 4 6 0

1971 Fred Poorman 2 8 0

1972 Fred Poorman 5 5 0

1973 Fred Poorman 7 2 1 Champions

1974 Fred Poorman 6 4 0

1975  Fred Poorman 8 3 0 Champions

1976 Fred Poorman 9 2 0 Champions

1977 Fred Poorman 5 6 0

1978 Fred Poorman 5 6 0

1979 Fred Poorman 10 1 0 Champions

1980 Fred Poorman 10 1 0

1981 Hal Donley 4 6 0

1982 Hal Donley 3 6 1

1983 Hal Donley 6 4 0

1984 Chuck Hill 1 9 0

1985 Chuck Hill 2 8 0

1986 Fred Poorman 1 9 0

1987 Fred Poorman 0 10 0

1988 Fred Poorman 0 10 0

1989 Jim Weaver 4 7 0

1990 Jim Weaver 7 3 0

1991 Jim Weaver 2 9 0

1992 Jim Weaver 6 5 0

1993 Jim Weaver 7 4 0

1994 Mark Kirk 1 9 0

1995 Steve Oliver 2 8 0

1996 Steve Oliver 3 7 0

1997 Steve Oliver 6 4 0

1998 Mark Evans 5 5 0

1999 Mark Evans 1 9 0

2000 Mark Evans 9 2 0 Champions Playoffs

2001 Mark Evans 9 3 0 Playoffs

2002 Mark Evans 4 6 0

2003 Mark Evans 7 3 0

2004 Mark Evans 6 4 0

2005 Mark Evans 5 5 0

2006 Mark Evans 4 6 0

2007 Mark Evans 4 6 0

2008 Mark Evans 6 5 0 Playoffs

2009 Mark Evans 8 3 0 Playoffs

2010 Mark Evans 3 7 0

2011 Mark Evans 3 7 0

2012 Robert Miller 6 4 0

2013 Robert Miller 4 6 0

2014 Robert Miller 4 6 0

2015 Robert Miller 5 5 0

2016 Robert Miller 5 5 0

2017 Robert Miller 2 8 0

TOTAL 230 271 2