HANCOCK COUNTY — The time has finally arrived.
The most-anticipated rematch of the high school football postseason in Hancock County happens tonight at Greenfield-Central.
On one sideline, there is Class 4A No. 4 Mt. Vernon (9-1), according to The Associated Press state rankings. The Marauders are entering tonight’s Sectional 21 semifinals having won nine consecutive games — each with an IHSAA mercy-rule, running clock. They are a mere two wins away from a third straight sectional title.
On the other sideline, 4A No. 11 Greenfield-Central, according to the IFCA coaches poll, carries a four-game winning streak — the program’s longest run since former coach Roger Dodson’s Cougars achieved the same feat in 2011.
That’s a combined 13 wins with No. 14 going to only one. And, with no disrepect to the other two Sectional 21 semifinals — Connersville (2-8) and Richmond (2-8) — a more than probable direct route to a sectional championship on Friday, Nov. 5.
Mt. Vernon won the previous meeting during the regular season, 42-21, at Greenfield-Central on Sept. 4, but neither of these two teams are the same.
The Marauders will be slightly short-handed again this week, though they’ve proven to be just as effective regardless by averaging 49.0 points scored per game. They’ve posted 40-plus points for nine straight weeks and have accumulated 63 points in back-to-back games.
The Cougars weren’t at full strength the first time they met the Marauders, but since regrouping, head coach Travis Nolting’s group has been redhot, posting 43 points twice in four weeks.
The return of leading rusher Andrew Zellers, who missed the first meeting, and the insertion of senior Rashawn Street at quarterback has the Cougars’ option offense humming along.
This game has the looks of an upset in the making with the Cougars at home and riding high by locking in their first seven-win campaign since 2010 and third winning record in 12 years.
The Marauders haven’t lost to the Cougars in four straight matchups, dating back to their 27-0 loss in 2017 during the regular season, but it’s never easy to beat a rival twice.
No more so when that county and Hoosier Heritage Conference rival looks nothing like it did almost two months ago.
Meanwhile, the Class 5A No. 14 New Palestine Dragons (6-3) awaken from their bye-week slumber to face a familiar foe in Franklin (3-6), a team they’ve eliminated in two consecutive sectional tournament appearances.
The Dragons have had two weeks to prepare for their Sectional 14 home opener, and they appear primed to challenge for their potential 12th sectional title all time.
Here’s a breakdown of tonight’s two sectional semifinal games.
Class 5A Sectional 14
Semifinal Round
Franklin (3-6) at New Palestine (6-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. at Kelso Stadium.
Coaches: Chris Coll, 17-32 in fifth year at Franklin, 96-75 in 16th year overall. Kyle Ralph, 102-9 in ninth year at New Palestine.
Last game: Franklin lost to Decatur Central, 42-7. New Palestine defeated Delta, 55-6.
Series info: New Palestine owns a 4-0 series advantage in the past 35 years and won the last meeting, 31-27, on Oct. 30, 2020.
What we learned: Both teams received a first-round bye by virtue of it being a four-team sectional, so there is nothing to review from the quarterfinal round other than the obvious.
With a week off brought about extra time to recover, rest and prepare. That bonus time off will definitely come in handy for both programs as the Dragons and Grizzly Cubs are meeting for a third consecutive year in the state tournament.
A year ago, the Dragons rallied from a 24-point deficit in the second half to win 31-27 en route to their fourth straight sectional finals appearance.
The Dragons’ running game was paramount during the comeback, as Grayson Thomas erupted for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns and the passing game thrived. In 2019, the outcome was much more decisive for New Palestine, 49-14.
If the Dragons can showcase the same balance they’ve put together since losing to Mt. Vernon, 49-10, on Sept. 10, then the Grizzly Cubs’ season could come to a close at Kelso Stadium.
On the season, New Palestine has produced 3,569 yards in total offense with 2,306 yards rushing. Of those rushing yards, Thomas owns 1,046 and 17 touchdowns. Quarterback Damon Hockett has rushed for 764 yards and 12 touchdowns while passing for 1,136 yards and seven scores this season.
The Red Rage defense has accounted for 19.5 sacks, 60.0 tackles for a loss and eight interceptions.
No team has scored more than seven points against the Dragons other than Greenfield-Central’s 22 on Sept. 24 following the Mt. Vernon game.
Through New Palestine’s five-game winning streak, the Dragons have outscored their opponents 229-38 with 145 points in the first quarter alone.
Franklin has won two of its last three games led by running back Titus Phillips (970 yards and nine TDs) and quarterback Clay Pinnick (900 yards passing), but the if the Dragons jump out fast this one could be decided rather quickly.
Class 4A Sectional 21
Semifinal Round
Mt. Vernon (9-1) at Greenfield-Central (7-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. at Myers Field.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 9-1 in first year at Mt. Vernon. Travis Nolting, 12-17 in third year at Greenfield-Central, 72-45 in 11th year overall.
Last game: Mt. Vernon defeated Pendleton Heights, 63-28 in sectional quarterfinals. Greenfield-Central defeated New Castle, 43-0 in sectional quarterfinals.
Series info: Mt. Vernon owns a 24-13 series advantage in the past 35 years and won their last meeting, 42-21, on Sept. 4.
What we learned: There might not be an open seat in the entire stadium tonight for this one. This is a classic showdown that pits speed and effciency against methodical timing.
Mt. Vernon has a knack for scoring fast, utilizing less than a minute to find paydirt often behind the big-play ability of seniors Ashden Gentry, Gehrig Slunaker and Keagan La Belle.
All three bring a different element to the Marauders’ dynamic offense and represent the core of this talented group, which first garnered the attention of the football landscape in 2019 when they reached the 4A final four.
Slunaker has passed for 2,157 yards on 98 completions and 25 touchdowns. His primary target has been Gentry (876 yards and nine TDs), but Slunaker has also connected with six other receivers for scores.
Gentry has rushed for 172 yards and two TDs while also proving a factor on special teams along with La Belle. Both have returned kicks for TDs regularly, so they are a continous threat for opposing squads.
La Belle is a highlight reel in the backfield with 916 yards rushing and 12 TDs. The offense has generated 39 rushing TDs behind 2,133 yards overall.
Last week in the quarterfinals, while momentarily tested by Pendleton Heights, the Marauders recorded their highest offensive yardage output to date with 650 yards. It’s been a slow buildup for Mt. Vernon over the past nine weeks with 508 yards in total offense in the regualar-season finale and four straight weeks of 400-plus prior — and the starters typically sitting in the second half of most games.
For Greenfield-Central, rushing is the name of the game, in addition to eating up clock.
Long drives and big plays have equated to 2,986 yards on the ground this season with both quarterback Rashawn Street and running back Andrew Zellers rushing for nine TDs each. Zeller leads the backfield with 1,023 yards and Street has added 592. Brayden Herrell has 852 yards rushing and six TDs.
When the Cougars have thrown, Herrell is the primary threat with two TD receptions.
As a team, the Cougars have ecplised the 300-yard mark in total offense seven times, including the past five weeks.
Even if they burn up clock on drives, the Marauders could turn on the jets and even up the game or build upon their lead within seconds. This game will be determined by defense where the Cougars are allowing 19.0 points on average and the Marauders 18.5.
Who’s going to flinch first?
