New Palestine’s Austin McMahan is unable to hang on to this first-quarter pass in Friday’s Week 1 game against Kokomo. Later in the contest, McMahan caught a touchdown pass for a school-record 99 yards.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY — Saturday morning film sessions after a Week 1 football game are a lot like an old western movie: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Kyle Ralph, head coach of Class 4A’s top-ranked New Palestine Dragons, may have said it best after his team’s 35-14 victory over Class 5A Kokomo last week.
“It’s Week 1, you’re going to have issues,” Ralph said. “If you’re peaking at Week 1, there’s probably a major problem. We’d like to have been cleaner in some aspects, but at the end of the day we beat a really good football team, a well-coached football team, and it’s important to be 1-0. We’ll get on the practice field and clean stuff up and come back out next week and try again.”
Three of Hancock County’s four teams won on opening night, but like the Dragons, they have some cleaning up to do.
Eastern Hancock, up to No. 3 in the IFCA Class 2A rankings this week, scored 69 points in a win over Class 3A Frankton, but they gave up 49, and were well into double digits on penalties.
After Friday’s win, Royals head coach Pat Echeverria said, “One hundred percent we will get that stuff cleaned up next week in practice. But our kids are playing physical and sometimes when you’re the more physical team and you’re knocking people down, those things get called. We played through it all though, and that’s the part I’m proud of. We had some bad situations because of penalties, and we still converted.”
Greenfield-Central had the most lopsided Week 1 win.
Ranked No. 5 in the latest Class 4A poll, the Cougars beat potential sectional opponent Beech Grove 50-8 on the road last week.
They were strong, but not perfect, having an interception and losing a fumble in their dominant win over the Hornets. The also struggled in their punting game with two punts for 10 total yards.
Class 4A Mt. Vernon played toe-t0-toe with Class 6A Noblesville for most of the night in a Week 1 clash of teams receiving votes in their respective classification’s polls.
Noblesville won 43-24 and rushed for 459 yards on 61 attempts.
The Marauders will play another run heavy team this week when they travel to Class 5A Franklin, led by running back Alex Leugers, who is coming off a four-touchdown, 244-yard game.
“We’ve got to find the good things, build on the good, and find a way to adjust and grow on the things we need to shore up,” Mt. Vernon coach Vince Lidy said. “We’ve got to get better this week.”
Greenfield-Central has its home opener this week against Class 3A Greensburg, a 36-14 loser to Shelbyville last week.
New Palestine is home for the second week in a row and again will play a class higher with a matchup against Class 5A No. 6 Decatur Central.
The Hawks are coming off a 41-15 loss to Columbus North. Like the Dragons, the Hawks were preseason No. 1 in their classification.
Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon and New Palestine are all finishing up non-conference play before playing out their regular seasons with seven consecutive Hoosier Heritage Conference games.
Eastern Hancock is jumping right into Mid-Eastern Conference play this week.
The Royals, defending MEC champions travel to North Decatur. The Chargers, No. 5 in Class 1A, are coming off a 48-6 victory at rival South Decatur.
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Week 2
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – Class 2A No. 3 Eastern Hancock (1-0) at Class 1A No. 5 North Decatur (1-0)
7 p.m. – Class 5A No. 6 Decatur Central (0-1) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (1-0)
7 p.m. – Greensburg (0-1) at Class 4A No. 5 Greenfield-Central (1-0)
7 p.m. – Mt. Vernon (0-1) at Franklin (1-0)
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2024 Hancock County Football Statistical Leaders
PASSING
Name,School;G;C;A;YDS;PCT;Y/G;TD;INT;RAT
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;1;10;13;208;.769;208.0;3;0;157.9
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;1;14;28;273;.500;273.0;4;1;109.1
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;1;5;10;114;.500;114.0;2;1;91.3
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;1;6;14;42;.429;42.0;0;0;50.3
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;1;29;254;8.8;254.0;2
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;1;16;78;4.9;78.0;3
Braylen Benavente, Greenfield-Central;1;12;63;5.3;63.0;0
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;1;4;62;15.5;62.0;2
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;1;6;56;9.3;56.0;2
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;1;10;213;21.3;213.0;4
Austin McMahan, New Palestine;1;2;106;53.0;106.0;1
Boston Willard, Greenfield-Central;1;2;66;33.0;66.0;2
Mason Oglesby, New Palestine;1;6;60;10.0;60.0;1
Eli Wasson, New Palestine;1;2;42;21.0;42.0;1
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Kolten Anderson, Mt. Vernon;1;9;6;15;15.0;1.0
Caden Jacobia, New Palestine;1;6;9;15;15.0;0.5
Jonah Schroder, Mt. Vernon;1;7;7;14;14.0;0.0
Garrett Ranes, New Palestine;1;12;1;13;13.0;0.5
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;1;8;4;12;12.0;2.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;1;2.0;2.0
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;1;2.0;2.0
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;1;2.0;2.0
Ethan Carter, Eastern Hancock;1;1.0;1.0
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;1;1.0;1.0
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;1;1.0;1.0
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;1;1;1.0
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;1;1;1.0
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;1;45;45.0
John Duncan, Mt. Vernon;4;149;37.3
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;1;35;35.0
Jake Wells, New Palestine;3;104;34.7
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;2;10;5.0
RETURN YARDS
Name, School;K;P;T
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;93;0;93
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;73;0;73
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;58;0;58
Dylan Dragoo, New Palestine;33;0;33
Garrett Shaw, Eastern Hancock;16;0;16
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;1;4;0;0;0;24;24.0
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;1;3;0;0;0;18;18.0
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;1;3;0;0;0;18;18.0
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;1;2;2;0;0;14;14.0
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;1;2;0;0;0;12;12.0
Boston Willard, Greenfield-Central;1;2;0;0;0;12;12.0
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (WEEK 2)
6A
1. Westfield 1-0 (4) 86
2. Brownsburg 1-0 (4) 77
2. Indpls. Cathedral 1-0 (1) 77
4. Warren Central 1-0 67
5. Carmel 1-0 50
6. Crown Point 1-0 48
7. Ben Davis (1) 0-1 45
7. Hamilton SE 1-0 45
9. Center Grove 0-1 44
10. Lawrence North 1-0 5
Others receiving votes: FW Snider 0-1 (4), Lake Central 1-0 (2), Noblesville 1-0 (1)
5A
1. Merrillville 1-0 (6) 96
2. East Central 1-0 (1) 72
3. Whiteland 1-0 (1) 70
4. Valparaiso 0-1 (1) 59
5. Warsaw 1-0 58
6. Decatur Central 0-1 48
7. Bloomington South 1-0 (1) 45
8. Castle 1-0 38
9. Lafayette Jeff 1-0 26
10. Concord 1-0 24
Others receiving votes: Kokomo 0-1 (5), Bloomington North 0-1 (3), Plainfield 1-0 (3), Michigan City 0-1 (2), FW North 1-0 (1)
4A
1. New Palestine 1-0 (8) 97
2. Indpls. Chatard 1-0 (2) 92
3. Evansville Reitz 1-0 72
4. NorthWood 1-0 61
5. Greenfield-Central 1-0 60
6. Leo 1-0 34
7. New Prairie 1-0 30
8. Mishawaka 1-0 24
9. East Noble 1-0 16
10. Indpls. Roncalli 1-0 15
Others receiving votes: Martinsville 1-0 (14), Brebeuf Jesuit 0-1 (13), Columbia City 1-0 (3), FW Wayne 1-0 (3), Hanover Central 1-0 (3), Lebanon 1-0 (3), Charlestown 0-1 (2), SB Riley 1-0 (2), Bedford NL 0-1 (1), Indpls. Attucks 0-1 (1), Mooresville 1-0 (1)
3A
1. Heritage Hills 1-0 (8) 96
2. Gibson Southern 1-0 84
3. Evansville Memorial 1-0 (2) 83
4. Tri-West5 1-0 52
5. Guerin Catholic 1-0 51
6. FW Luers 0-1 37
7. West Lafayette 0-1 22
8. Lawrenceburg 0-1 21
9. Delta 1-0 19
9. Evansville Mater Dei 1-0 19
Others receiving votes: Batesville 1-0 (15) , Tippecanoe Valley 1-0 (11), FW Concordia 1-0 (9), Knox 0-1 (6), Southridge 0-1 (6), Mississinewa 1-0 (3) Garrett 1-0 (1), Norwell 0-1 (1), Oak Hill 1-0 (1)
2A
1. Indpls. Lutheran 1-0 (10) 100
2. Lafayette CC 1-0 90
3. Eastern Hancock 1-0 67
4. Heritage Christian 1-0 63
5. North Posey 1-0 50
6. Heritage Christian 1-0 36
7. Linton-Stockton 0-1 28
7. Andrean 0-1 27
9. Adams Central 0-1 25
10. Southmont 1-0 22
Others receiving votes: Western Boone 1-0 (14), Eastbrook 0-1 (3), Indpls. Scecina 0-1 (1), Lapel 1-0 (1), South Vermillion 1-0 (1), Tell City 1-0 (1)
1A
1. North Judson 1-0 (8) 97
2. South Putnam 1-0 (2) 91
3. Carroll (Flora) 1-0 70
4. Providence 1-0 68
5. North Decatur 1-0 61
6. Milan 1-0 39
6. Monroe Central 1-0 39
8. Sheridan 0-1 23
9. Triton 1-0 21
10. Springs Valley 1-0 19
Others receiving votes: Pioneer 1-0 (14), Madison-Grant 1-0 (13), South Adams 0-1 (12), Laville 0-1 (3), South Spencer 1-0 (1)
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Game Capsules
Class 2A No. 3 Eastern Hancock (1-0, 0-0) at Class 1A No. 5 North Decatur (1-0, 0-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Pat Echeverria, 37-25 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 69-81 in 14th year overall; Steve Stirn, 75-34 in 10th year at North Decatur, 162-83 in 22nd year overall.
Recent history: On its way to a 3-0 Mid-Eastern Conference record and league title, Eastern Hancock opened conference play last year with a 36-14 win over the Chargers in Charlottesville..
Sagarin ratings (last season): Eastern Hancock 57.88, 151st overall, 21st in 2A. North Decatur, 57.95, 150th overall, 10th in 1A.
Players to watch: Eastern Hancock — QB Elijah Edon, RB Mark Kube, WR Hayden Jackson, LB Gabe Johnson, LB Ayden Trueblood, WR Eli Manship, TE Kayden Ruble, RB/DL Evan Wheeler; North Decatur – RB/LB Corbin Thackery, DE/TE Cohen Thackery, WR/DB Alexander Jones, QB/DB Mason Morris.
What to look for: Eastern Hancock begins defense of its Mid-Eastern Conference title in an always tough place to play in Greensburg. The Royals are coming off a 63-point performance in a win over Class 3A Frankton and proved they’ve got even more weapons that everyone thought. Sophomore receiver Jackson had a huge night with four touchdowns and over 200 receiving yards. Kube had 200-plus yards on the ground. Still, it’d be hard to say that any of them had as big a night as Corbin Thackery. The Chargers running back scored seven touchdowns in a win over rival South Decatur. He had a pair of returns for scores, four rushing touchdowns – on only seven carries – and one receiving touchdown on his only grab of the game.
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Class 5A No. 6 Decatur Central (0-1) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle Enright, 70-26, in 9th year at Decatur Central; Kyle Ralph, 128-14 in 12th year at New Palestine.
Recent history: The series is tied 2-2 with Decatur Central winning last year’s matchup in Indianapolis 43-42. It’s a rematch of the 2018 Class 5A state title game won by the Dragons, 28-14.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Decatur Central 71.24, 62nd overall, 16th in 5A. New Palestine 83.46, 15th overall, second in 4A.
Players to watch: Decatur Central – QB Bo Polston, QB/CB/WR Braylon Morris, WR Kasmir Hicks, RB N’Po Dodo, D Mykal Campbell, D Brycen Bonawitt New Palestine —DL Michael Thacker, OL/DL Brock Brownfield, QB Jacob Davis, RB/DB Caden Jacobia, LB Garrett Ranes, LB/RB Josh Ranes, LB Alex Guhl, DB Desmond Palmer, WR/DB Cameron Rollyson, TE/LB Mason Oglesby, WR Austin McMahan.
What to look for: The Dragons are looking to wrap up their non-conference schedule 2-0. The Hawks, like the Dragons, were preseason No. 1 in their class, but DC lost handily last week to Columbus North 41-15. New Pal had a strong performance against another 5A school last week in Kokomo. In his Dragon debut Jake Davis threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns – to three different receivers – and also ran one in. Three defenders, Thacker, Jacobia, Josh Ranes and Garrett Ranes and Rollyson all had double digits in tackles last week. Polston is a Toledo commit, but had a rough outing against the Bulldogs, going 5-for-8 for 52 yards and six rushes for two yards.
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Greensburg (0-1) at Class 4A No. 5 Greenfield-Central (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Wes Anderson, 0-11 in 2nd year at Greensburg; Travis Nolting, 29-24 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 89-52 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: Greenfield-Central has won the only two meetings, including a 57-0 victory last season.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Greensburg 34.52, 263rd overall, 54th in 3A. Greenfield-Central 78.06, 30th overall, 6th in 4A.
Players to watch: Greensburg – RB/LB Austin Cruz, QB Bryson Abplanalp, CB/WR Carson Kilgore; Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, FB Braylen Benavente, RB/DL Payton Foley, DL Zach Blevens, WR Boston Willard, DL Jake VanOsdol.
What to look for: The Cougars won big at Greensburg last year and are expected to do the same Friday night. G-C scored on the ground, in the air, and on special teams in a 50-8 victory over Beech Grove. Greensburg is led by former New Palestine assistant Anderson, who is looking for his first win as a head coach.
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Mt. Vernon (0-1) at Franklin (1-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 27-11 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon. Chris Coll, 31-41 in 8th year at Franklin, 110-84 in 19th year overall.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon has won two of three meetings, including a 41-38 victory last season at Mt. Vernon.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Mt. Vernon 69.54, 73rd overall, 16th in 4A. Franklin 71.52, 61st overall, 15th in 5A.
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, KR Ryker Baer, WR/DB Kolten Anderson, LB Jonah Schroeder; Franklin – RB Alex Leugers, MLB Isaac Broughton, ILB Harjot Singh, QB Greyson Betts, DB Landen Basey, WR/DB Cory Tonte.
What to look for: For the second straight week the Marauders will face a larger school – just one class above weight this week – in taking on the Grizzly Cubs. Again, they’ll face a strong running team led by Leugers, who had 244 rushing yards and four total touchdowns in a win last week over New Albany. The Marauders have a strong running attack too. Brogan had three touchdowns and 78 yards against Class 6A Noblesville. Vinard is a big weapon in the kicking game.
