Football preview: Indian Creek Braves

Wearing the highest possible jersey number isn’t the only thing that screams “lineman” about Cameron Elmore.

A starting defensive tackle for the Braves since the start of the 2016 season, Elmore is now part of the offense, too, as the left tackle. Indian Creek opens Saturday at home with a 2 p.m. kickoff against Class 2A powerhouse Evansville Mater Dei.

Elmore looks forward to the double duty.

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“I like it. I like having that trust factor with my teammates and coaches,” Elmore said. “I think this team has a lot of chemistry. This could be one of the best offensive lines in Indian Creek history.”

Elmore does have experience playing offense, albeit in a totally different role. As a ninth-grader he was inserted into the lineup to run the football a total of 14 times, even scoring three touchdowns along the way.

“I’ve got to be honest, I don’t think I was made for that,” Elmore said with a laugh.

Second-year coach Brett Cooper returns senior guards Austin Meyer and Kenny Edwards from a squad that averaged 34 points and 400 yards of offense per game last season. Candidates to start at either center or right tackle are junior Keegan Siegfred and seniors Ryli Botts and Mason Hawkins.

The 6-foot-2 Elmore, who bench-presses 315 pounds and squats 425, will play on the left side for as many snaps as he can remain effective.

His presence is sure to benefit skill position players such as tailback Avery Welch and quarterback/receiver Isaiah Lacey. However, Elmore’s defensive workload will force his coach to monitor the junior’s plays more than usual.

“The concern is always how much wear and tear can a kid take,” Cooper said. “Obviously, when you’re talking about a lineman, it’s a little different.

“As the coach you have to figure that out where is the next best kid to back him up when he needs a break. Our goal will be to start him out hot and end him hot. For us to be successful, we need Cameron to be his best at the end.”

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Date;Opponent;Time

Aug. 18;Evansville Mater Dei;2 p.m.

Aug. 24;at Greenwood;7 p.m.

Aug. 31;at Owen Valley;7 p.m.

Sept. 7;Brown County;7 p.m.

Sept. 14;at Triton Central;7 p.m.

Sept. 21;at Edgewood;7 p.m.

Sept. 28;Cascade;7 p.m.

Oct. 5;Cloverdale;7 p.m.

Oct. 12;at TBD (WIC playoff);7 p.m.

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1. Which opponent’s field is your favorite/least favorite and why?

“I like playing on Greenwood’s field the most because it’s the only one we play on that’s turf. I prefer turf mostly because it’s got grip whenever it’s not raining. Also because I have a weird allergy to grass, so that’s another reason. The one I like playing on the least is Cascade because they had dead grass everywhere. It brought out my allergies a lot.”

2. What other position would you play if your coach let you?

“It would probably be running back because that’s what my dad played in high school, and I’ve always wanted to try it out. I’ve always been at the quarterback spot or the receiver spot, but I’ve never really got to play running back.”

3. Which school that is not on your schedule would you love to play against?

“Probably Edinburgh because that’s where I came from. Also, I’d like to go up against Center Grove a few times. I would’ve liked to have gone up against them in my younger days. Now I’d like to see where we’re at against one of the best programs in the state.”

4. What’s something about this year’s team that will surprise people?

“How close we are as a family. We’ve grown up with each other for a long time. We’ve played football with each other for a long time, especially the seniors. But the underclassmen have come in and really joined our family. That’s what you’ll see out of us. Our friendship and brotherhood out on the field is one thing that really stands out to me.”

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Coach: Brett Cooper (2nd year)

Last season: 7-4; lost to Cardinal Ritter 41-22 in Class 3A sectional semifinal

Key returnees: OL/DL Kenny Edwards, RB/LB Vinny Greene, OL/DL Mason Hawkins, QB/WR/DB Isaiah Lacey, OL/DL Austin Meyer, WR/DB Mendel Shank, WR/DB Dustin Sprong and RB/LB Avery Welch, seniors; OL/DL Cameron Elmore, RB/DB Aaron Hart and OL/DL Keegan Siegfred, juniors; WR/DB Jordan Gorham, sophomore

Top newcomers: RB/LB Tony Hall, OL/DL Nathan Ross and RB/LB Bryce Smith, seniors; OL/DL Tristen Foster, WR/DB Owen Neathery and QB/LB Wyatt Rudd, juniors; RB/LB Brett Barger, sophomore

Outlook: The offensive and defensive lines are the strength of the team, which could mean big seasons for the multifaceted Lacey, running back Welch and others. Rudd and Lacey are expected to see time at quarterback, which will give opposing defenses plenty of looks. Only a junior, Elmore begins his third year as starting nose tackle for the Braves’ defense. Lacey was Indian Creek’s leading tackler last season with 89.

“We’ve had our first full offseason together, and we average 46 kids in the weight room every day. That’s huge,” Cooper said. “Wyatt (Rudd) has done a really good job this summer, and he deserves to get some snaps. Under the lights we’re really going to find out what we can and can’t do. I have confidence in our passing game, even though we’re really good up front. But we’re definitely a run-first team.”

Notable: Lacey enters the season with 2,398 all-purpose yards and 122 total points for his career. Lacey has recorded touchdowns four different ways — rushing, receiving, fumble recovery and kickoff return.

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