HANCOCK COUNTY — New Palestine starts at the top, but according to the initial Indiana Football Coaches Association football poll, all of Hancock County should have strong squads for the 2024 season.
Friday night marks Week 1 of the high school football season.
New Palestine returns most of its defense from a team that won 11 straight games and got to the Class 4A semifinals before losing to eventual state champion East Central.
New Palestine received three first place votes and is ranked No. 1 in Class 4A.
All three of the Dragons’ 2023 losses came to teams that went deep in their respective postseasons. Class 6A Westfield lost in double overtime in the state semifinals and Class 5A Decatur Central — New Palestine’s Week 2 opponent — was state runner-up in 2023.
The Dragons open at home with Kokomo, a team receiving votes in the Class 5A poll.
The WildKats were 9-3 last season and have won 29 games over the last three years.
All-state defensive lineman Michael Thacker, who recently committed to Ball State University, heads a Dragon defense that has nearly its entire starting group back.
Greenfield-Central comes in No. 5 in the Class 4A poll.
The Cougars were 9-2 a year ago, their most wins since going 9-3 in 1975. Their lone losses were to New Palestine, one in the regular season and another in a sectional semifinal game.
G-C opens on the road at Beech Grove, a Class 4A team that is in the same sectional as the Cougars, Dragons and Mt. Vernon Marauders. Beech Grove got to the sectional semis last year before being eliminated by the Marauders.
The Cougars are led by senior quarterback Dallas Freeman, who threw for 19 touchdowns and rushed for eight more. Beech Grove was 5-6 last year.
Mt. Vernon travels to Class 6A Noblesville.
Like the Kokomo-New Palestine matchup, this contests highlights two teams getting recognized in the preseason polls. Both are among those receiving votes in their class rankings.
Despite playing much of the season without their top quarterback — Luke Ertel was lost early due to injury — the Marauders finished 7-5 and got to the sectional championship game before being eliminated by the Dragons.
They’re led by one of the state’s most explosive running backs in Joliba Brogan, who scored 21 touchdowns and rushed for 1,733 yards.
Noblesville finished last season 4-7.
Eastern Hancock is ranked No. 6 in Class 2A.
Coming off a sectional title in 2023, the Royals open at home against Class 3A Frankton.
If you threw, rushed or received the ball in a Royals uniform in 2023, you are probably going to do it again in 2024.
Junior quarterback Elijah Edon is in his third season as a starter. Junior running back Mark Kube had a very productive sophomore campaign. He rushed for 28 scores and 1,746 yards. Eli Manship and Kayden Ruble are the top returning receivers.
Frankton had a 4-6 record in 2023.
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Week 1
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – Class 5A RV Kokomo at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine
7 p.m. – Frankton at Class 2A No. 6 Eastern Hancock
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 5 Greenfield-Central at Beech Grove
7 p.m. – Class 4A RV Mt. Vernon at Class 6A RV Noblesville
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Coming Saturday: The Greenfield Daily Reporter will publish a Pigskin Preview special section in Saturday’s print edition. The section will include team and action photos, season previews and schedules of all four of our Hancock County varsity football teams.
In addition, there will be action shots from selected games from Friday’s Week 1 action in our regular sports section. Due to recent deadline changes, full game stories will only be available online at greenfieldreporter.com.
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (WEEK 1)
6A
1. Ben Davis (10) 100
2. Center Grove 80
3. Brownsburg 69
4. Warren Central 52
5. Crown Point 48
6. Westfield 46
7. Indpls. Cathedral 45
8. Carmel 32
9. Hamilton SE 31
10. FW Snider 15
10. Fishers 15
Others receiving votes: Lawrence North (7), Noblesville (6), Lawrence Central (5), Carroll (FW) (3)
5A
1. Decatur Central (7) 95
2. Merrillville (2) 87
3. Valparaiso 66
4. Whiteland 63
5. East Central (1) 47
5. Warsaw 47
7. Castle 34
8. Bloomington South 31
9. Concord 28
10. Bloomington North 24
Others receiving votes: Lafayette Jeff (13), Kokomo (7), Hammond Morton (4), Plainfield (4), Michigan City (1)
4A
1. New Palestine (3) 84
2. Indpls. Chatard (6) 76
3. Evansville Reitz 70
4. Northwood (1) 47
5. Greenfield-Central 42
6. Brebeuf Jesuit 30
6. Leo 30
8. New Prairie 26
9. Mishawaka 23
10. Indpls. Roncalli 18
Others receiving votes: East Noble (17), Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (16), Martinsville (12), New Haven (11), Hanover Central (10), Mooresville (7), FW Dwenger (6), Indpls. Attucks (6), Northridge (3), Pendleton Heights (3), SB Riley (2), Columbia City (1), FW Wayne (1), Hobart (1), Jasper (1)
3A
1. Heritage Hills (6) 87
2. Gibson Southern (3) 78
3. Evansville Memorial 53
3. Guerin Catholic 53
5. Knox 48
6. FW Luers (1) 41
7. Lawrenceburg 32
8 West Lafayette 29
9 Tri West 27
10 Hamilton Heights 19
Others receiving votes: Batesville (16), Evansville Mater Dei (16), Delta (9), FW Concordia (7), Mishawaka Marian (6), Mississiewa (6), Southridge (6), Tippicanoe Valley (6), Hammond Noll (4), Vincennes Lincoln (4), Garrett (1)
2A
1. Indpls. Lutheran (9) 90
2. Lafayette CC 72
3. North Posey (1) 59
4. Linton-Stockton 47
5. Adams Central 45
6. Eastern Hancock 24
6. Brownstown Central 24
8. Andrean 23
9. Eastbrook 22
9. Southmont 22
Others receiving votes: Heritage Christian (20), Paoli (19), Triton Central (18), Bluffton (13), Western Boone (13), Indpls. Scecina (12), Alexandria (9), Monrovia (8), Centerville (6), Greencastle (5), Eastside (3), Rochester (3), South Vermillion (3), Park Tudor (1)
1A
1. North Judson (4) 81
2. South Putnam (4) 72
3. Providence 65
4. Sheridan 61
5. Carroll (Flora) (2) 58
6. North Decatur 47
7. LaVille 35
8. Monroe Central 24
9. Milan 23
9. Springs Valley 23
Others receiving votes: South Adams (21), Madison-Grant (13), Tri (12), North White (11), Hagerstown (3), Pioneer (2), West Central (2), Perry Central (1)
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Frankton (0-0) at Class 2A No. 6 Eastern Hancock (0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Mark Luzadder, 10-20 in 4th year at Frankton, 11-29 in 5th year overall; Pat Echeverria, 36-25 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 68-81 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: Last year’s matchup, won by Eastern Hancock 36-15, was the first meeting since 1997.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Eastern Hancock 52.7, 132nd overall, 15th in 2A. Frankton 37.1, 197th overall, 41st in 3A.
Players to watch: Frankton – QB Ethan Stansberry, WR Brady Carmack, RB Nate Luzzader, OLB/WR Noah Melvin. Eastern Hancock — QB Elijah Edon, RB Mark Kube, S/KR/WR Garrett Shaw, TE/LB Kayden Ruble, WR/DB Eli Manship, OL Joseph Hollenbaugh, LB Gabe Johnson, DL Evan Wheeler, LB/OL Ayden Trueblood, LB Ethan Sipes.
What to look for: The Royals open the year state-ranked and return a number of key players from last year’s sectional championship team. Kube was one of the state’s top running backs and Edon, still just a junior, is entering his third year as the starting quarterback. Manship and Ruble are last year’s top receivers and Johnson, Wheeler, Trueblood were all among the county leaders in defensive categories in 2023. Frankton graduated much of its defense, but has a strong running back in Luzadder, who averaged 145.8 yards per game last season.
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Class 5A RV Kokomo (0-0) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Austin Colby, 33-12, in 5th year at Kokomo, 49-18 in 7th year overall; Kyle Ralph, 127-14 in 12th year at New Palestine.
Recent history: New Palestine has won both meetings against the Kats. Most recently, the Dragons won 63-13 in 2019.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Kokomo 64.22, 80th overall, 17th in 5A. New Palestine 90.34, 13th overall, second in 4A.
Players to watch: Kokomo – QB Keemarion Pollard, TE/DE Andrew Barker, RB/LB Brixton Morris, LB Khari Floyd. New Palestine —DL Michael Thacker, OL/DL Brock Brownfield, QB Gavin Neal, QB Jacob Davis, RB/DB Caden Jacobia, LB Garrett Ranes, LB Josh Ranes, LB Alex Guhl, DB Desmond Palmer, WR Cameron Rollyson, TE Mason Oglesby.
What to look for: The Dragons are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A and return the majority of a strong defense (nine starters and 11 of the top 14 tacklers), including all-state defensive lineman Thacker, who has committed to Ball State. They will be tough to move the ball on. The offense will be veteran up front, but will have its share of new players running, throwing and receiving the football. Kokomo, a 5A school, went 9-3 last season. They graduated a good chunk of last year’s squad but have the top two tacklers returning in Morris and Floyd. Barker is an all-stater at tight end.
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Class 4A No. 5 Greenfield-Central (0-0) at Beech Grove (0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Travis Nolting, 28-24 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 88-52 in 14th year overall. Rajshawn Mosley, 0-0 in 1st year at Beech Grove, 3-6 in 2nd year overall.
Recent history: Tonight’s game is the first meeting between the two programs.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Greenfield-Central 75.13, 39th overall, 8th in 4A. Beech Grove 47.64, 157th overall, 41st in 4A.
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, FB Braylen Benavente, RB/DL Payton Foley, DL Zach Blevens, WR Boston Willard, DB Kody Smith; Beech Grove – RB Jeremiah Lee.
What to look for: The Cougars are coming off one of the program’s best year’s in school history, finishing 9-2. They graduated some key players upfront and team leaders, but they return some top talent too. Freeman is a dual-threat QB. He threw for 1,444 yards with 19 touchdowns and rushed for 761 and eight scores. Foley moves in as one of the top rushing options along with Benavente and Hinton. Foley and Blevens are the top returning tacklers. BG’s Lee is one of the state’s top returning running backs. He rushed for 1,648 yards last year and 22 touchdowns for the 5-6 Hornets.
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Class 4A RV Mt. Vernon (0-0) at Class 6A RV Noblesville (0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 27-10 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon. Dave Sharpe, 12-30 in 5th year at Noblesville, 51-56 in 11th year overall.
Recent history: Noblesville has won the last three meetings, including a 48-30 matchup last season in Lucas Oil Stadium.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Mt. Vernon 68.15 69th overall, 17th in 4A. Noblesville 85.17, 19th overall, 13th in 6A.
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Mason Meyer, RB Joliba Brogan, RB/DB DJ Johnson, WR/DB Gavin Joy, LB Christian Kiptoo, K Rylan Vinard; Noblesville – TE Aiden Brewer, DL Israel Oladipupo, LB Corbin Hornickel.
What to look for: The Marauders likely have one of the toughest task of any Hancock County school in their season opener. On the road and playing up two classes against a Noblesville team that moved the ball well against them a year ago will be a challenge. What may help will be the Millers lost most of those players from 2023 to graduation. The Marauders will have their own challenges for opponents led by Brogan. As a junior, he rushed for 22 touchdowns and 1,733 yards. His speed and power will make it tough on all defenders regardless of class. Vinard is also a strong offensive weapon. He made 7 of 9 field goal attempts in 2023. Meyer is only a sophomore, but he got some starts last year after an injury to 2023 No. 1 QB Luke Ertel.
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2023 Final Hancock County Football Statistical Leaders
PASSING
Name,School;G;C;A;YDS;PCT;Y/G;TD;INT;RAT
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;11;113;182;1444;.621;131.3;19;8;103.4
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;13;161;256;2077;.629;159.8;17;7;99.0
Luke Ertel, Mt. Vernon;7;88;148;1181;.595;168.7;10;3;99.0
Gavin Neal, New Palestine;14;85;154;1469;.552;104.9;14;8;96.5
Tyler Etherington, Mt. Vernon;12;23;56;379;.411;31.6;5;3;71.9
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Grayson Thomas, New Palestine;14;346;2304;6.7;164.6;33
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;12;229;1733;7.6;144.4;21
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;13;249;1746;7.0;134.3;28
Braylen Benavente, Greenfield-Central;8;130;598;4.6;74.8;1
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;11;115;761;6.6;69.2;8
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;11;41;705;17.2;64.1;10
Tre Jones, Mt. Vernon;12;40;683;17.1;56.9;8
Kyler Kropp, New Palestine;14;40;784;19.6;56.0;9
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;12;46;605;13.2;50.4;3
Chris Edmonds, Mt. Vernon;10;19;418;22.0;41.8;3
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Cameron Volz, Eastern Hancock;13;83;35;118;9.1;2.0
Jake Hinton, Greenfield-Central;11;71;27;98;8.9;20.0
Garrett Ranes, New Palestine;14;74;39;113;8.1;16.5
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;13;69;31;100;7.7;10.5
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;8;40;20;60;7.5;19.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;8;7.0;0.9
Shawn Taylor, Mt. Vernon;12;7.0;0.6
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;13;6.5;0.5
Zaidyn Ramsey-Fox, Mt. Vernon;11;4.5;0.4
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;11;4.5;0.4
Jake Hinton, Greenfield-Central;11;4.5;0.4
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Dylan Bowman, Eastern Hancock;11;4;0.4
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;11;4;0.4
Brady Armstrong, New Palestine;11;3;0.3
Mason Hiatt, New Palestine;12;3;0.3
Caden Jacobia, New Palestine;13;3;0.2
Caiden Willis, Eastern Hancock;13;3;0.2
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Aaron Redmon, Eastern Hancock;22;796;36.2
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;6;204;34.0
Jake Wells, New Palestine;30;1003;33.4
John Duncan, Mt. Vernon;36;1090;30.3
Aaron Lee, Greenfield-Central;8;198;24.8
RETURN YARDS
Name, School;K;P;T
Tre Jones, Mt. Vernon;765;62;827
Cameron Volz, Eastern Hancock;316;158;474
Kyler Kropp, New Palestine;314;0;314
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;240;30;270
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;226;0;226
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Grayson Thomas, New Palestine;14;33;0;0;0;198;14.1
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;13;28;0;0;0;168;12.9
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;12;22;0;0;0;132;11.0
Kyler Kropp, New Palestine;14;20;0;0;0;120;8.6
Kirk Knecht, Greenfield-Central;11;13;4;0;0;82;7.5
Note: Names in bold are players returning for the 2024 season
