The Elkhart Elks look to improve on last year’ s 3-7 record under new head coach Ryan Blackmon.
Elkhart looks to make some noise
Elkhart first-year Head Football Coach Ryan Blackmon expects big things from his team in District 11-3A, Division II.
Blackmon takes over for Cody Day, who went 3-7 last year and 2-3 in district play. Blackmon was the team’ s special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach last year.
“ We have a lot of returning lettermen who will be seniors that we are excited about,” Blackmon said.
“ The senior class is a group with a large group in 13 seniors. We have a senior class who has stuck with us in Hayden Pittman, Brannigan Blackmon, Nick Rodriguez and the rest of the class with their leadership being important this year.”
The Elks are picked to finish fifth behind Troup, Arp, New Diana and West Rusk.
“ I think the district top to bottom is pretty good. You have several traditionally good programs who are coached very well,” Blackmon said.“ There is a
lot of talent in our district and we are going to take one game at a time. We are going to take each week to try and get better and meet that week’ s goal. We will let the rest of the season take care of itself. If you do make it out of our district, you will be well prepared for a playoff run.”
Two of the top offensive weapons for Elkhart are quarterback Coyt Cooper and running back Dalton Walker. Cooper takes over for Trystyn Tidrow while Walker returns after recording 1,250 yards and 30 total touchdowns last year.
“ Coyt started on defense for us in every game last year and he is just a good football player,” Blackmon said.“ He is going to be our quarterback going into the season. We like the fact that he is not just a quarterback but an all around good football player. He is a leader in the weight room and the locker room and he does possess a very good skillset at the quarterback position.”
Blackmon said Walker has gotten stronger during the offseason and he is excited for the speed of his running back.
Other players to watch this year are Jackson Denney, who is back from injury along with receivers Johnny Franklin, Brannigan Blackmon, Nick Rodriguez and Colten Foster. Tight end Callyn Franklin, junior Grayson Harris, Hayden Pittman and Landon Westbrook are also players to watch this year.
“ Jackson is one of our team leaders for that group,” Blackmon said. He is the quiet leader that leads by example and not only do you miss him on Friday’ s but during practice. It makes everyone work harder when he is around because you know he is going to outwork everybody else. It will be good for the whole team to have him back.”
Blackmon said fans should see a team giving it their all in 2025.
“ We want to see an excited football team with the kids being excited,” Blackmon said.“ I want the fans to know the players are out there having a great time working hard and loving every second of it.”
ELKHART ELKS
16 | END ZONE | 2025