Columbus North’s Parker Elmore jumps out of the grasp of Whiteland’s Dane Kunz Aug. 22 at Max Andress Field at Columbus North High School.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
Logan Haston heard the superlatives about Parker Elmore when Elmore arrived at Columbus North last summer.
Four games into his Bull Dog career, the North football coach is seeing what all the hype was about.
“He’s sensational,” Haston said. “A lot of times, Division I guys get a little overhyped, but he lives up to every bit of the hype.”
Elmore, who verbally committed this summer to play at Indiana University next season, has been an impact player on both sides of the ball for the Bull Dogs. The senior tight end especially been a juggernaut on offense, catching 33 passes for 573 yards and eight touchdowns with more than half the regular season still to play.
“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by it, but I’d say I expected it,” Elmore said. “I have a good coaching staff and a good quarterback to get me the ball and obviously a great game plan from coach Haston.”
That quarterback, senior Asher Ratliff, and Elmore have been on the same wavelength all season. Ratliff, who became the school’s all-time leader for touchdown passes last week, has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 15 scores.
“We’re best friends,” Elmore said. “We hang out all the time. Anywhere I go, I’ll ask him to go. Anywhere he goes, he’ll ask me to go. So just spending time around each other for sure helps, and obviously, it translates to the field.”
Columbus North’s Parker Elmore tries to escape Southport’s Markell Hatchett after catching a pass Sept. 8 at Columbus North High School.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
Haston also has been rotating Elmore in on defense at outside linebacker.
“We’d like to continue to expand his role and play him as much as he’s able to handle,” Haston said. “Obviously, we’re a better football team with him on he field, so the more he plays, the better for the Bull Dogs.
“He’s doing everything for us, and he’s bought in to everything, which is the most important thing,” he added. “Whatever we ask of him, he’s willing to do and give his all for his team. I think he’s just so excited to be playing football again finally, and he’ll do whatever we need him to do.”
Elmore spent his first two years of high school at Jennings County. He started at safety as a freshman and took over as the starting quarterback midway through that season. He led the Panthers to a 2-0 start as a sophomore before tearing an ACL in the third game and missing the remainder of the season.
Last year, after transferring to North, Elmore was ruled ineligible for 365 days by the IHSAA. Ironically, the IHSAA relaxed its transfer rule this spring, and under the new rule, he would have been eligible last year.
Although he wasn’t able to play in games, Elmore practiced with his North team.
“Last year, we had him playing a lot of scout team running back and receiver, whoever (the opponents’) best ball carrier was, we would have him run that, and then really, his most impactful was playing pass rusher and just making our offensive line work in pass protection,” Haston said. “He was relentless with his effort. We got to see a glimpse of it last year on scout team just how special he is.”
Whiteland’s Sage Hazelwood (15) and Javon Denson-Posey wrap up Columbus North’s Parker Elmore Aug. 22 at at Columbus North High School.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
After weighing 185 pounds as a freshman and 205 as a sophomore, Elmore gained 30 pounds during the nearly two years out of competition. He now stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 225 to 230 pounds.
“His size and strength is just impressive,” Haston said. “I think at the next level, he’s going to play the tight end-linebacker role, so it makes sense to get him some exposure to that right now, and he’s done a good job with it.”
Elmore had little doubt that he wanted to play for the Hoosiers at that next level.
“A lot of it was the coaching staff — the tight ends coach — coach (Grant) Cain — and (defensive coordinator/linebackers) coach (Bryant) Haines,” Elmore said. “I like their attitude and their outlook on everything. And then, who wouldn’t want to play for their hometown?”
Parker Elmore
Since he plans to enroll at IU in time to start classes in January and participate in spring practice, Elmore will not be playing basketball for the Bull Dogs this winter. He had been the sixth man as a freshman on the Jennings team that advanced to the semistate.
This fall, Elmore is intent on leading North to a similar run on the football field.
“We have some big games here, some difficult games, but fighting through, and then finally getting on top and winning the sectional and going to state,” Elmore said.
