HANCOCK COUNTY — It’s the 56th year and 63rd meeting, but it’s the first time in 15 years both teams will meet with losing records.
In 2008, just three years after they began playing for the Boundary Rail, Mt. Vernon came into its Week 9 matchup at Kelso Stadium with a 1-7 record. New Palestine was 3-5.
In the ensuing decade-and-a-half, the two have been among the top high school football programs in the state. New Palestine has won three state titles. Mt. Vernon has won one.
Meeting again at Kelso Stadium on Friday, both teams are 1-2.
Those records can be attributed to a combination of things. Out of 314 football playing schools in the state, Mt. Vernon and New Palestine have played, according to the Sagarin Ratings, the No. 13 and No. 14, respectively, toughest schedules in the state.
Along with playing non-conference games against Class 6A and Class 5A foes, both of their Hoosier Heritage Conference openers were against teams in the state rankings.
In addition, the Dragons have one of their youngest teams in coach Kyle Ralph’s 11th year at the helm. They have uncharacteristically turned the ball over eight times in three games.
Mt. Vernon is averaging 35.3 points per game, but have given up 42.3.
The Associated Press and Indiana Football Coaches Association aren’t fooled by those records.
The latest AP poll released Tuesday has the Dragons No. 9 in Class 4A and the Marauders are among those receiving votes. New Pal is No. 6 in the IFCA 4A rankings.
The Dragons currently hold both traveling trophies. They grabbed the Boundary Rail from the Marauders in last year’s 42-6 regular season win, as well as the HHC Helmet trophy.
Something will have to give in Pendleton Friday.
Along with Greenfield-Central and Pendleton Heights having 3-0 records, the matchup will feature Class 4A’s top offense against 4A’s top defense.
The Cougars average a classification-best 49 points per game. The Arabians haven’t given up a point all season.
Greenfield-Central is 3-0 for the first time since 1993. Add another 10 years for its last 4-0 team. The 1983 squad was the last to accomplish victories in the first four games.
G-C is ranked No. 6 by the Associated Press and No. 7 by the IFCA. Pendleton Heights is receiving votes in the AP poll.
Eastern Hancock has its Homecoming Friday.
It will be an extra special one if the Royals are to win against Heritage Christian.
In seven tries, Eastern Hancock has never beaten the Eagles.
Both teams are 2-1 and coming off their first losses of the season. Heritage Christian is receiving votes in the AP Class 2A poll.
The Eagles and Royals are both 2-1 after suffering their first losses last week.
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Friday’s Games
7 p.m. — Greenfield-Central at Pendleton Heights
7 p.m. — Heritage Christian at Eastern Hancock
7 p.m. — Mt. Vernon at New Palestine
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2023 Hancock County Football Statistical Leaders
PASSING
Name,School;G;C;A;YDS;PCT;Y/G;TD;INT;RAT
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;3;26;47;461;.553;153.7;8;0;128.6
Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon;3;53;81;739;.654;246.3;7;0;123.4
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;3;37;60;393;.617;131.0;2;3;71.0
Gavin Neal, New Palestine;3;18;38;296;.474;98.7;1;4;43.2
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Grayson Thomas, New Palestine;3;75;495;6.6;165.0;7
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;3;55;417;7.6;139.0;8
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;3;46;340;7.4;113.3;3
Braylen Benavente, Greenfield-Central;3;54;258;4.8;86.0;1
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;3;22;220;10.0;73.3;3
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;3;9;239;26.6;79.7;4
Chris Edmonds, Mt. Vernon;3;11;238;21.6;79.3;1
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;3;15;196;13.1;65.3;2
Tre Jones, Mt. Vernon;3;12;195;16.3;65.0;3
Kyler Kropp, New Palestine;3;9;173;19.2;57.7;0
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;3;21;9;30;10.0;4.5
Mason Hiatt, New Palestine;3;16;9;25;8.3;0
Garrett Ranes, New Palestine;3;18;7;25;8.3;4.0
DJ Johnson, Mt. Vernon;3;18;6;24;8.0;0
Jake Hinton, Greenfield-Central;3;18;5;23;7.7;6.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;3;2,0;0.7
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;3;1.5;0.5
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;3;1.5;0.5
12 players with;3;1.0;0.3
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;3;3;1.0
Caiden Willis, Eastern Hancock;3;2;0.7
10 players with;3;1;0.3
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Aaron Redmon, Eastern Hancock;7;304;43.4
John Duncan, Mt. Vernon;9;318;35.3
Jake Wells, New Palestine;7;182;26.0
Aaron Lee, Greenfield-Central;5;90;18.0
RETURN YARDS
Name, School;K;P;T
Tre Jones, Mt. Vernon;398;16;414
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;200;0;200
Cameron Volz, Eastern Hancock;74;3;77
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;70;0;70
Kyler Kropp, New Palestine;63;0;63
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;3;8;0;0;0;48;16.0
Grayson Thomas, New Palestine;3;7;0;0;0;42;14.0
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;3;6;0;0;0;36;12.0
Tre Jones, Mt. Vernon;3;5;2;0;0;32;10.7
Aaron Lee, Greenfield-Central;3;0;0;0;19;19;6.3
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Game Capsules
Class 4A No. 6 Greenfield-Central (3-0) at Class 4A RV Pendleton Heights (3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Travis Nolting, 22-22 in 5th year at Greenfield-Central, 82-50 in 13th year overall. Jed Richman, 44-34 in 8th year at Pendleton Heights, 79-64 in 14th year overal
Recent history: The programs are familiar with each other, meeting seven times in the last three years. The Arabians eliminated the Cougars in sectional play in 2019 and 2020. Greenfield-Central returned the favor in 2022. G-C won both meetings last year, 35-0 in the regular season and 34-28 in a first-round sectional game.
Sagarin ratings: Greenfield-Central 78.08, 33rd overall, 9th in 4A. Pendleton Heights 78.3, 30th overall, 7th in 4A.
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central – TE Lane Wadle, QB Dallas Freeman, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, RB/LB Jake Hinton, FB Braylen Benavente, WR/KR Kirk Knecht, FB/DL Payton Foley, OL Brayden Flener,K/P/DB Aaron Lee. Pendleton Heights – QB Isaac Wilson, WR/DB Nate Derolf, WR Caden Sims, LB/RB Dresden Roberts, DL/OL Eli Libler, RB/LB Nick Trout, MLB Garrett Pederson.
What to look for: The Cougars are riding on Cloud 9 after their first win over Mt. Vernon in six years, plus they’re 3-0 for the first time since 1993. They’ve had to switch gears quickly as Pendleton Heights always provides a strong challenge. The Arabians are 3-0 also and have outscored opponents 104-0 in their first three games. QB Wilson has been a dual-threat. He’s the Arabians leading rusher, but has been strong in the pass game, too, with four TD passes and 242 passing yards. Going back to last season, Pendleton Heights has won 6 of their last 7 games, with the lone loss to the Cougars in the sectional opener. After three weeks, the Cougars have shown their Wishbone offense isn’t just for running. QB Freeman is another dual threat at his position. He’s fifth in the county in rushing yards (220 with 3 TDs) and is the county’s top passer (461 yards, 8 TDs), but this is likely the toughest defense he and the Cougars have seen this season.
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Class 2A RV Heritage Christian (2-1) at Eastern Hancock (2-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle Ray, 52-25 in 8th year at Heritage Christian. Pat Echeverria, 30-21 in 5th year at Eastern Hancock, 62-77 in 13th year overall.
Recent history: The Royals are looking for their first win over the Eagles. They’ve lost seven times since 2018, including sectional matchups in 2018 and 2019. Last year’s game, played in Indianapolis, was a 49-22 decision. The closest game was a 38-20 contest in 2019.
Sagarin ratings: Heritage Christian 57.22, 122nd overall, 14th in 2A. Eastern Hancock 55.94, 131st overall, 16th 2A.
Players to watch: Heritage Christian – RB/DB Elijah Pimental, QB Eli Nix, RB/DB Vaughn Johnson, DL/OL Collin Jones, LB/OL Tyler Marsh, OL/DL Jay Straka. Eastern Hancock — QB Elijah Edon, WR/DB Dylan Bowman, NG/T Logan Hoskins, RB Mark Kube, LB Gabe Johnson, OL/DL Jacob Wickard, S/KR Garrett Shaw, WR/S Cam Volz, WR/K Aaron Redmon, TE Kayden Ruble, WR Eli Manship.
What to look for: Both clubs are coming off their first loss of the season. EH lost 22-21 to Class 3A Centerville after a missed two-point conversion at the end of regulation. HC lost 31-7 to Class 3A No. 2 Guerin Catholic. For the Royals, Kube has been phenomenal through the first three games. He has led a ground attack that is averaging 243 yards per game. At Centerville, Kube rushed for 178 yards and three scores. He had 164 yards and four TDs the prior week in an MEC win over North Decatur. Pimental has been just as dangerous for the Eagles. He had 180 yards and two scores in a win over Shenandoah and rushed for 145 in a Week 1 win over Crawfordsville. The Royals are a little more balanced with their offensive attack, so this could be the year that losing streak to the Eagles ends.
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Class 4A RV Mt. Vernon (1-2) at Class 4A No. 9 New Palestine (1-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 21-7 in 3rd year at Mt. Vernon. Kyle Ralph 117-13 in 11th year at New Palestine.
Recent history: It’s year No. 56 of the county’s oldest rivalry. New Pal leads 37-24-1, which includes a 5-2 lead in postseason matchups. Last year, New Palestine one regular season and sectional contests, both played in Fortville, after Mt. Vernon had won regular season games in 2020 and 2021.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 75.86 43rd overall, 12th in 4A. New Palestine 80.4, 27th overall, 5th in 4A
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Luke Ertel, WR/KR Tre Jones, OL/DL Roland Trimble, LB Aidan Lindstrom, RB Joliba Brogan, RB/DB DJ Johnson, WR Chris Edmonds, DL Shawn Taylor, TE/DE Tyler Etherington, WR Domanic Barnett. New Palestine — RB/LS Grayson Thomas, OL/DL Ian Moore, OL/DL Michael Thacker, RB/WR Kyler Kropp, WR/DB Mason Hiatt, QB Gavin Neal, LB Josh Ranes, LB Garrett Ranes, DB Caden Jacobia
What to look for: It’s a rarity to have both programs under .500, but as they often say when two long-time rivals meet, “Throw the records out the door.” Both teams have played strong schedules to start the season, dipping into the Class 6A and Class 5A levels for non-conference games, plus both had Hoosier Heritage Conference openers against state-ranked teams. Thomas looks to be back to old form in the Dragons running attack with 495 rushing yards and 7 TDs in three games. Ertel has been stellar at QB for the Marauders, throwing 7 TDs without an interception and averaging 246.3 yards per game. Both have had their struggles in the opening weeks. The Marauders have given up 127 points (42.3 points per game). New Palestine has been intercepted four times and lost four fumbles. The team that can make those corrections will likely come out on top Friday.
