Mt. Vernon’s Keagan LaBelle hoists the 2021 IHSAA Class 4A state football championship trophy.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY — Two Hancock County gridiron rivals sit atop the Indiana Football Coaches Association Class 4A preseason poll, released Sunday.
Defending Class 4A state champion Mt. Vernon, winners of its final 14 games last season, and New Palestine, winners of the 2014 4A crown and 2018-19 5A championships, are ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in a vote of state coaches.
The Marauders won the school’s first football state title in 2021. They’ve won 26 of their last 28 games, losing only to Class 6A Noblesville in the 2021 season opener, and to eventual 2020 state champion Roncalli in the regional round.
In accordance with the IHSAA success factor, the Dragons — after their 2014 state title — moved up to Class 5A. They were 5A state runners-up in 2015 prior to winning consecutive titles in 2018-19.
The upcoming season is their first in Class 4A since winning the 2014 championship.
Mt. Vernon had five first-place votes and 84 total points. The Dragons had one first-place vote and 68 total points, two points ahead of No. 3 Roncalli.
The remainder of the top 10 includes, in order, Mooresville, Brebeuf, Evansville Memorial, East Central, Hobart, Kokomo and Northwood.
Mt. Vernon and New Palestine will meet during the fourth week of the regular season. They will play at Mt. Vernon on Sept. 9.
The Marauders open the regular season at Class 6A Noblesville Friday. Next week, they travel to Class 5A Franklin.
The Dragons open Friday, at home, against Class 6A No. 6 Westfield. They host Class 5A No. 2 Decatur Central – a rematch of the 2018 state championship game – on Aug. 26.
Greenfield-Central was among Class 4A schools receiving votes. The Cougars had 10 points, tied for 13th most.
The Cougars travel to Mt. Vernon on Sept. 2 and to New Palestine on Sept. 23. They open the season on the road Friday at Class 5A Plainfield.
