This battle goes beyond line of scrimmage
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Those who feed on the football frenzy that has captivated the nation at all levels soon come to recognize that offensive linemen are big men with a big job to do. One such offensive lineman who these days stands extremely tall well above his 6-foot, 5-inch and 300-pound frame is Elliot Hood, a former multi-sport star at Franklin Central.
Hood's on-the-field exploits over the years are quite admirable. He is the first to admit, though, that off-the-field concerns are far more relevant more so than any passion that has fueled his playing of the game of football, whether it has been at the high school or the college levels.
Several years ago, Franklin Central's offensive line one that included Hood was big and talented and performed its job very well. These behemoths at the line of scrimmage, in fact, contributed immensely to the Flashes going undefeated during the regular season.
That was back in 2002 in Coach Lance Scheib's second season at the Franklin Central gridiron helm. Scott Houser, who now works with the Flashes' freshman program, was the offensive line coach. Jerry Lantz, the present varsity offensive line coach, was in his first year as a member of the FC coaching staff.
That memorable season is also the last time in which the Flashes were unbeaten heading into post-season competition. FC's perfect run extended two more games into IHSAA tournament play before being halted by Warren Central 36-0 in the sectional title game. The Warriors then lost 35-28 in overtime in a regional confrontation with eventual Class 5A state champion Ben Davis.
 Zach Odle Indiana State |
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Three members of that special 2002 Franklin Central offensive line Elliot Hood, Zach Odle and John Wolf have since distinguished themselves in the so-called trenches as bona fide college players. Collectively, their college careers interestingly enough could contribute to a book titled A Triad of Contrast. Consider, for example:
** Hood has been toiling for Vanderbilt University, a middle-of-the-road institution in a major NCAA Division I conference (Southeastern).
** Wolf (6-3, 312 pounds) has been playing for Saint Francis University , a small-college powerhouse based in Fort Wayne . The Cougars during his four years seldom lost a game, making it to the NAIA national championship contest three consecutive years. A center, Wolf was named to the 2006 NAIA All-American First Team by The Victory Sports Network.
** Odle (6-4, 285 pounds) has been logging his time at Indiana State University, a Division I-AA school that during the 2006 campaign snapped the longest NCAA upper division losing streak (24 games) in the nation at the time.
While Wolf completed his college football eligibility last fall, both Hood and Odle were held out a season early in their careers and have eligibility remaining. Odle is expected back for his final season of play in the Sycamores' program. Hood, though, is the subject of a continuing and unique saga that finds the already graduated red-shirt senior also primed for one more collegiate campaign.
But, hold on for a second. This is where it becomes rather unusual. Hood's final year of eligibility will not be spent run-blocking and pass-protecting at Vanderbilt, where he played in 18 games as a reserve for the Commodores as a football freshman and sophomore, and then started six of 11 games at right tackle as a junior last fall.
When fall football practice begins on Monday, August 6, at West Lafayette , Hood will become an official member of the Purdue University football program. With a degree in human and organizational development already in hand from Vanderbilt, Hood began attending graduate school on the Purdue campus in early June, with studies centering on organizational leadership and supervision.
Actually, Eliot Hood had not planned on playing football this coming season. Just prior to the start of Vandy's most recent spring practice segment, Hood informed the Commodores' coach, Bobby Johnson, that he had decided to conclude his collegiate football career.
In a news release issued at that time, Hood was quoted as saying: For the last four years, my life has been about me and about football. It's time to think of others. I have developed an extended family with Vanderbilt football, but I realize it's time to be with my own family back home.
What news reports then didn't divulge is that Elliot's mother, Donna Hood, for the fourth time in recent years had been diagnosed with cancer. Elliot continued his semester of study at Vanderbilt that ended with his graduation in May.
Coach Johnson knew the family situation and paid tribute to Hood for his willingness to sacrifice for the Vanderbilt team during the 2006 season. He said the player's effort in playing despite an extremely painful shoulder served as an inspiration to all those associated with the Commodores' program.
I can't say enough about how much Elliot meant to our team, Johnson was quoted as saying at the time. He never was 100 percent healthy, but he knew the team needed him to contribute. I'm proud to say Elliot played as hard as he could.
We're going to miss the energy and enthusiasm Elliot brought to our team, but we're very supportive of his future plans. Elliot's parents were as supportive of this team as any parents could possibly be. Elliott and his family will always be a part of this program.
What transpired in the next several weeks went well beyond what Elliot Hood had ever contemplated. With a helping hand from his high school coach (Lance Scheib) a former Purdue University football player and through the good graces of the NCAA, football for Hood unexpectedly became a renewed reality.
On appeal to the NCAA, Hood was granted a waiver of the transfer rule that requires one year in residence before competing. And Purdue's football coach, Joe Tiller, was interested in adding such an experienced offensive lineman to the Boilermakers' roster.
I appreciate the compassion shown to me by the NCAA and am grateful to Purdue University for offering me an opportunity, Hood said in a Purdue press release back in early May when the transfer was first announced. I'm excited about being a Boilermaker and can't wait to get started.
Tiller is eagerly anticipating Hood's arrival at fall practices, too.
Elliot is an exceptional young man who has competed at a very high level in the Southeastern Conference, Tiller said. He will help us on and off the field.
While Hood received extensive playing time at right tackle and right guard at Vanderbilt, he'll likely make the move to the left side at Purdue, where the Boilermakers are trying to replace two starters.
We thought Hood would come in and have an opportunity to start for us, either at tackle or at guard on the left side, Tiller said recently in news accounts out of West Lafayette . He's certainly going to be given that opportunity. He's a great kid.
I would be very, very surprised, Tiller continued, if he's not in the starting lineup when we kick it off in the fall, because of his experience and his maturity.
While Elliot's surprising transfer more conveniently places him several hundred miles closer to his ailing mother, the Hood family's travel budget also should be impacted quite favorably by the 2007 Purdue football schedule. Seven games will be played at Ross Ade Stadium in West Lafayette. The Boilers also conclude the regular campaign against Indiana University at Bloomington .
For Elliot Hood, his early return to Indiana is a testament to his maturity and to his willingness to acknowledge family responsibility. For Franklin Central football faithful who well remember that 2002 Flashes' team, it is an opportunity to continue rooting for one of the three key characters joining former FC line mates Zach Odle and John Wolf in the unwritten A Triad of Contrast.
Click here for comments by FC coaches on Elliot Hood, Zach Odle and John Wolf.
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