ELIDA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Elida Bulldogs are coming off their fifth straight sub-.500 season.

But with strength in numbers, this year's team is ready to turn the page.

A 4-6 campaign in 2025 saw the Elida Bulldogs finish tied for 7th in the Western Buckeye League and missing the postseason for the third time in six seasons. For sixth-year head coach Kyle Harmon, last year was a learning lesson for everyone.

"Obviously we got to finish football games. We had two games early in the season. We started out we were 1-0 and we lose to Shawnee and we lose to Van Wert in the last minute of the game. They both drove to win the football game. So finishing has been big for us and stopping the run obviously because that's where we've struggled out in the past," said Harmon.

The Bulldogs have seven starters back on offense, and eight returning on defense. According to coach Harmon, this is one of the deepest teams he's had in years.

"We have guys fighting for spots, which is good because we have a lot more depth than we have in the past. So, they know the expectations and we started a lot faster this summer because they already knew our scheme and we've added a little bit more, but we just jumped right into it and got rolling. So, we're better prepared early in the season," said Harmon.

"You know, this year we got a lot of seniors, so we got a lot of leadership, a lot of guys played a lot of games. We have high goals for this year. We've been working really hard in practice. Our numbers in the weight room are looking a lot better, so as a whole we're a lot stronger, but we just focus on one week at a time, focus on matchup that's ahead of us at that week," said Elida senior running back and outside linebacker Kohen Sullivan.

Returning for his second year under center will be junior Jonan Snyder.

"So I'd say physically, I mean, everything's there. It's just the mental side of the game. I got to learn how to just like, again, trust my coaches and work through my progressions before the pre-snap and then post-snap, just trust where everything's going to happen," said Snyder.

Elida will have to replace Parker Crim, a 2025 first-team All-Ohio selection and WBL Defensive Lineman of the Year who is now a freshman at Illinois.

Head coach Kyle Harmon says he feels good about the depth along the D-line and the number of players ready to step up this season.

"You know, we're two deep all across the D-line right now, which has been good. And there are kids that have been in the system and sophomores, juniors, and seniors that are fighting for spots and so we have about six or seven bodies on the D-line that are ready for Friday nights, so the competition has made them that much better," said Harmon.

The Bulldogs will open up the season on the road against the Toledo Rogers before beginning their WBL schedule, and Elida is looking to capture their first league title since 1982.

"It's going to take us all playing together as one. Last year there were some times where there were some miscommunications and whatnot, so this year just playing as one and all being on the same page together," said Snyder.

For the Bulldogs to make a deep run this season, it all starts with how they work in practice.

"We got to practice better. Our practice habits from last year are night and day different. Over the course of the week, you got to work, you got to grind if you want any chance to win on a Friday night, and that goes every week. There's teams that jump out every year and surprise people. I think we can be one of those teams, but it's going to take us to focus in all week, great practices, and we got to continue to work," said Harmon.

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