Elida uses team-bonding approach

ELIDA - It was an experience few players will forget.

The Bulldogs' football team volunteered one day this summer to landscape and clean up a house so that an elderly woman could sell it. The project was a huge success.

Now the Bulldogs hope that hard work and chemistry translates to the football field. Elida went 0-10 last year under first-year coach Jason Carpenter. Over the last five years, the Bulldogs have gone 9-41.

"It was a great team-bonding experience," Carpenter said of the community project. "A lot of those guys saw their teammates doing things that they'd never seen their teammates do, manual labor. They responded real well. ... I've seen how that's brought us together and that started it."

Offensively, Elida switches from a pro-style attack to a spread with four wide receivers and one fullback. But Carpenter wants to run as much as he throws.

"We don't have the guys that we can line up and (play) smash-mouth football with," Carpenter said. "We have more skilled, finesse guys. We'll work out of the shotgun, spread offense. We'll open it up. ... We also want to try to run the ball. We'd like to be 50-50 (run and pass). I think we'll have to throw the ball in order to open up the run. Our spread is more like the West Virginia spread."

Quarterback Shane Conrad, a 5-foot-9 junior, returns and will trigger the spread attack.

"He's very fiery and very competitive," Carpenter said. "I think he can become a good leader."

The offensive line returns four starters in center Josh Foltz (6-1, 210), guard Tyler Von Sossan (6-1, 210) and tackles Nick Bailey (6-3, 250) and Tyler Sebenoler (6-2, 250).  A rookie up front is junior tackle Jake Brietigan (6-4, 350).

There's also plenty of experience at wide receivers with returning starters C.J. Warren (6-3, 210), who has committed to Bowling Green, Matt Eilerman and Derek Cunningham.

Freshman Austin Etzler (6-2, 190) will also see plenty of time at wide receiver.

Alex Warren and Nate Painter will battle for the fullback spot.

Elida will switch to a 4-4 defense this year. The defense returns tackle Tevon Morning (6-2, 280), linebackers Derrik Long (6-2, 200) and Trevor Leis (6-0, 200) and cornerback Dakota Bechdolt. Andrew Leis moves from the defensive line to linebacker.

Carpenter said the key will be the team's mental approach.

"It ultimately comes down to them believing in themselves," Carpenter said. "I think it's going to take (us getting) our first lead. It'll take them realizing, ‘Hey, we can do this. We can contend. We can be competitive.' But it's going to take something to happen positive on the field for them to realize it's possible."

PLAYER TO WATCH

Shane Conrad

The 5-foot-9 junior quarterback returns to lead the spread offense.

ELIDA

Coach: Jason Carpenter

Years, record at school: Second year, (0-10)

2007 record: 0-10 overall, 0-9 WBL

Returning letterwinners: 14

Returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense

Promising newcomers: Jake Brietigan (OL-DT); Devonte Williams (DT); Austin Etzler (WR); Alex Warren (FB-LB); Desmond Ragin (WR-S); Nate Painter (FB).

Outlook: The team has plenty of veterans back and will switch to a spread offense. The Bulldogs need a win early after coming off an 0-10 year.