Elliott a team player for Ryle

By James Weber • jweber@nky.com • October 19, 2010

Sometimes people forget Travis Elliott is just a junior.

Ryle High School head football coach Bryson Warner said the junior running back plays like a senior now.

Part of that is the fact he has played varsity since his freshman season and has the experience of a senior. One of the best players in the area, Elliott helps Ryle in a variety of ways.
"Travis is one of the most talked about young men we have had in our program," Warner said. "Most people think he's a senior. He really is a team player. That helps when you have a guy who is being recruited like he is. He's thinking about the team more than himself."
Ryle beat Conner 48-6 Oct. 15 to improve to 7-1 and 4-0 in the local 6A district. The Raiders have clinched the district title and home-field in at least the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Ryle travels to Boone Oct. 22 and Highlands Oct. 29 before entering the playoffs in Union against the fourth seed from District 8 Nov. 5 or 6.
Elliott is the leading rusher in Northern Kentucky with 1,399 yards and second in scoring with 20 TDs. He is also a key force on defense. He added kickoff returner to his plate Oct. 1 during the Campbell County game, a contest Ryle 35-30. He returned the opening kickoff of that game for a touchdown.
"Most guys who play as much as he does get tired," Warner said. "We asked him to return kicks. He could have said 'Oh man, another job.' But he was excited about doing that. He never wants to leave the field."
Quarterback Conner Hempel has rushed for 608 yards this year and thrown for 670.
Senior Court Mace has continued to lead the defense at linebacker. He ranked second in Northern Kentucky in tackles with 82 total. Linebacker Zach Senvisky has also been a key leader on defense and is also one of the top tacklers in the area.
"Zach Senvisky is a tremendous leader on both sides of the ball," Warner said. "We wanted someone with Court, who has also been strictly defensive minded."
Deion Mullens has stepped up lately on both sides of the ball.
Defense has been a concern for Warner, as the Raiders allowed 29 points per game in district play before giving Conner just six.
"The defense has stepped up when necessary," Warner said. "We've bent but not broken at times. We've had guys coming back from injuries. We need to execute the three phases of the game, defense, offense and special teams, and it's been two out of three. We need to go out and put a game together and play well in all three. But they're very resilient. When we're not playing well on offense or defense, the other areas step up."