HANCOCK COUNTY — The first of three head-to-head Hancock County regular-season matchups is the main event for Week 3 of the high school football season.
The initial round of seven consecutive weeks of Hoosier Heritage Conference football for Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon and New Palestine opens in Fortville and Yorktown Friday.
Ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, one spot up from last week’s Indiana Football Coaches Association poll, Greenfield-Central (2-0) travels to rival Mt. Vernon (0-2).
Defending HHC champion and Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (1-0) travels to Yorktown (2-0) for its league-lifter. It is the first of three straight road conference games for the Dragons.
Class 2A No. 3 Eastern Hancock has a home game against Centerville.
The head-to-head county battles continue in Week 4 when the Dragons visit the Marauders. On the Week 6 slate, New Palestine hosts Greenfield-Central.
A year ago in Greenfield, the Cougars had a historical 41-35 victory over the Marauders.
It marked G-C’s first 3-0 start since 1993 and was the first win over Mt. Vernon in six years.
They are looking to go 3-0 in back-to-back seasons. The Marauders are 0-2 and looking for their first win after playing up a class or two in their first two games, a 43-24 loss at Class 6A Noblesville and a 21-20 heartbreaker at 5A Franklin last week.
In the 2023 meeting, there were nine first-half touchdowns and, for the game, four 60-plus scoring plays.
Most of those that scored on the long runs or returns have graduated, with the lone long-run returnee being Mt. Vernon senior running back Joliba Brogan, who had an 82-yard first-half touchdown run.
On just five carries, Brogan ran for 110 yards before leaving the game early with an injury. He already has four touchdown runs this season.
Greenfield-Central returns some of its big players from that matchup too.
Quarterback Dallas Freeman threw for 121 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 172 and another score. Fullback Braylen Benavente had 144 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Cougars rushed for 403 yards in the victory.
New Palestine heads to Yorktown with a 19-game winning streak in regular-season HHC games and have won 24 straight against league foes (including five sectional wins). They have not lost a league game since dropping a 49-10 decision to Mt. Vernon on Sept. 10, 2021. The Dragons are 74-2 in conference games since Kyle Ralph took over as head coach in 2013.
The Dragons got just two quarters in of its Week 2 game against Class 5A No. 5 Decatur Central. The game that was tied 21-21 at halftime before being a weather casualty was ruled a no contest.
Two unbeatens will face off in Charlottesville too.
Class 2A No. 3 Eastern Hancock (2-0) welcomes Centerville (2-0).
The Bulldogs went 9-1 last year as a Class 3A team, but have moved back down to Class 2A. They edged the Royals a year ago in Centerville, 22-21.
A year ago, Royals running back Mark Kube scored on the final play of the game. Eastern went for a two-point conversion and failed.
Like last year, the Royals are looking to go 3-0. They have not started the season with three straight wins since 2021.
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Week 3
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – Centerville (2-0) at Class 2A No. 3 Eastern Hancock (2-0)
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 4 Greenfield-Central (2-0) at Mt. Vernon (0-2)
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (1-0) at Yorktown (2-0)
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (WEEK 3)
6A
1. Brownsburg 2-0 (4) 93
1. Westfield 2-0 (6) 93
3. Warren Central 2-0 71
4. Hamilton SE 2-0 64
5. Crown Point 2-0 52
6. Center Grove 1-1 42
6. Indpls. Cathedral 1-1 42
8. Carmel 1-1 26
9. Lawrence North 2-0 21
10. Noblesville 2-0 17
Others receiving votes: FW Snider 1-1 (5), Zionsville 1-1 (5), Indpls. Pike 2-0 (4), Ben Davis 0-2 (3), Elkhart 1-1 (2), Carroll (FW) 0-2 (1), Columbus North 2-0 (1), Portage 2-0 (1)
5A
1. Merrillville 2-0 (8) 96
2. Whiteland 1-0 76
3. Valparaiso 1-1 (1) 72
4. East Central 1-1 (1) 66
5. Decatur Central 0-1 60
6. Warsaw 1-1 49
7. Lafayette Jeff 2-0 41
8. Concord 2-0 36
9. Bloomington South 1-1 19
9. Plainfield 2-0 19
Others receiving votes: Kokomo 0-1 (10), Bloomington North 1-1 (3), Castle 1-1 (3)
4A
1. New Palestine 1-0 (6) 95
2. Indpls. Chatard 2-0 (3) 92
3. Evansville Reitz 2-0 77
4. Greenfield-Central 2-0 65
5. New Prairie 2-0 48
6. Mishawaka 2-0 (1) 45
7. Leo 2-0 44
8. Martinsville 2-0 24
8. NorthWood 1-1 24
10. Indpls Roncalli 1-0 12
Others receiving votes: Columbia City 2-0 (6), East Noble 1-1 (6), Brebeuf Jesuit 1-1, FW Wayne 1-0 (4), Hanover Central 1-1 (2), Kankakee Valley 2-0 (1)
3A
1. Evansville Memorial 2-0 (5) 94
2. Gibson Southern 2-0 (4) 89
3. Heritage Hills 1-1 (1) 72
4. Guerin Catholic 2-0 54
5. FW Luers 1-1 49
6. West Lafayette 1-1 38
7. Delta 2-0 30
7. Evansville Mater Dei 2-0 30
9. Lawrenceburg 1-1 23
10. Tri-West 1-1 22
Others receiving votes: Batesville 2-0 (10), FW Concordia 2-0 (10), Mississinewa 2-0 (9), Knox 1-1 (4), Tippecanoe Valley 2-0 (4), West Noble 2-0 (4), Southridge 1-1 ( 3), Garrett 2-0 (1), Twin Lakes 1-1 (1)
2A
1. Indpls. Lutheran 2-0 (10) 100
2. Lafayette CC 1-0 87
3. Eastern Hancock 2-0 73
4. North Posey 2-0 63
5. Brownstown Central 2-0 60
6. Heritage Christian 2-0 54
7. Linton-Stockton 1-1 31
8. Adams Central 1-1 26
9. Western Boone 2-0 17
10. Andrean 0-2 10
10. Lapel 2-0 10
Others receiving votes: Bluffton 2-0 (6), Paoli 2-0 (4), South Vermillion 2-0 (3), Southmont 1-1 (3), Triton Central 1-1 (2), Tell City 2-0 (1)
1A
1. North Judson 2-0 (9) 99
2. Providence 2-0 (1) 80
3. Carroll (Flora) 2-0 74
3. Southmont 1-1 74
5. Monroe Central 2-0 51
5. Springs Valley 2-0 51
7. Madison-Grant 2-0 36
8. Milan 1-1 35
9. North Decatur 1-1 22
10. Forest Park 2-0 15
Others receiving votes: South Adams 1-1 (12), Sheridan 0-2 (10), Triton 1-1 (10), North Miami 2-0 (5), Pioneer 1-1 (4), North Vermillion 2-0 (2)
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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;2;16;23;312;.696;156.0;4;1;133.6
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;2;30;53;466;.566;233.0;7;1;117.6
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;2;9;16;171;.562;85.5;4;1;107.0
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;2;46;358;7.8;179.0;3
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;1;16;78;4.9;78.0;3
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;2;8;143;17.9;71.5;3
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;2;5;136;27.2;68.0;2
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;2;18;129;7.2;64.5;3
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;2;15;283;18.9;141.5;5
Mason Oglesby, New Palestine;2;8;125;15.6;62.5;1
Austin McMahan, New Palestine;2;3;109;36.3;54.5;1
Boston Willard, Greenfield-Central;2;4;104;26.0;52.0;3
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
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
Christian Kiptoo, Mt. Vernon;1;8;2;10;10.0;1.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;2;4.0;4.0
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;2;3.0;1.5
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;2;3.0;1.5
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;2;2.5;1.3
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;1;1.0;1.0
Frank Titus, Greenfield-Central;1;1.0;1.0
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;2;1;0.5
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;2;1;0.5
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
Garrett Shaw, Eastern Hancock;35;0;35
James Learey, Greenfield-Central;0;34;34
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;1;3;0;0;0;18;18.0
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;2;5;0;0;0;30;15.0
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;2;5;0;0;0;30;15.0
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;2;3;2;0;0;20;10.0
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;2;3;0;0;0;18;9.0
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;2;3;0;0;0;18;9.0
Boston Willard, Greenfield-Central;2;3;0;0;0;18;9.0
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Game Capsules
Centerville (2-0) at Class 2A No. 3 Eastern Hancock (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Ryan Cole, 18-4 in 3rd year at Centerville, 18-12 in 4th year overall. Pat Echeverria, 38-25 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 70-81 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: The Royals are 3-2 in meetings over the last 30-plus years, but the Bulldogs have won the last two. A year ago, Eastern Hancock lost 22-21 after a failed 2-point conversion with no time left on the clock.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Centerville, 65.0, 108th overall, 12th in 2A. Eastern Hancock 65.14, 106th overall, 11th in 2A.
Players to watch: Centerville – QB Jace Hollendonner, RB Jeremiah Mull, RB/CB Owen Boyd, SB/KR/PR Maddox Pritchett, R/LB Ethan Vecera, MLB Chase Clark, LB/TE Johnny McGinty, WR/FS Grady Blake; 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, LB Ethan Sipes.
What to look for: The Royals showed massive improvement from Week 1 to Week 2 on the defensive side and just kept on rolling like it did in their opener on offense. After giving up 49 points to Frankton, they held Class 1A state-ranked North Decatur to just 8. Edon continues to shine with 10 total touchdowns (7 pass, 3 rush) in just two games. Speedy Jackson has five of the receptions and Kube and Edon have both been strong on the run. Centerville has combined to outscore its first two opponents 107-7 and should prove to be a challenge for the Royals. Eastern should have some extra motivation after losing the last two meetings of the series.
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Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (1-0) at Yorktown (2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle Ralph, 128-14 in 12th year at New Palestine; Mike Wilhelm, 107-103 in 20th year at Yorktown.
Recent history: New Palestine has dominated the series, winning 23 of the last 27 meetings, though last year’s matchup was tight. The Dragons won 30-22 at Kelso Stadium in 2023.
Sagarin ratings (last season): New Palestine 83.95, 14th overall, 3rd in 4A. Yorktown, 67.26, 98th overall, 23rd in 4A.
Players to watch: 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, RB Max Wiegand; Yorktown – QB Sam Tokar, RB/S Wilson Webster, WR/KR/FS Ephraim Daugherty, WR/S Cole Perdue, TE/DE Julian McKay, QB/CB/RB Noah Long, LB Jacob Cheek, MLB Matthew West.
What to look for: The Dragons, like many others, are coming off an odd Week 2. New Palestine got just two quarters of its game in against Class 5A Decatur Central. Yorktown marks the first of three straight road HHC tests. The Tigers are off to a 2-0 start with wins over Anderson and Muncie Central. Davis has led a versatile offense with accurate passing, spreading the ball around to receivers Oglesby, McMahan and Eli Wasson. The running game has been spreading the ball around too with the committee of Ranes, Jacobia and Wiegand. The Dragons still may be their strongest on their veteran defensive side led by all-stater Thacker.
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Class 4A No. 4 Greenfield-Central (2-0) at Mt. Vernon (0-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Travis Nolting, 30-24 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 90-52 in 14th year overall; Vince Lidy, 27-12 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon.
Recent history: Greenfield-Central broke a six-year dry spell in 2023 with a 41-35 victory at Clayton Myers Field. The Marauders are 25-12 in meetings over the last 35 years.
Sagarin ratings (last season): Greenfield-Central 73.53, 49th overall, 11th in 4A. Mt. Vernon 72.36, 59th overall, 13th 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, DL Jake VanOsdol, SS Trenton Smith, LB Kody Smith. Mt. Vernon — QB Mason Meyer, RB Joliba Brogan, RB/DB DJ Johnson, WR/DB Gavin Joy, LB Christian Kiptoo, K Rylan Vinard, WR/DB Kolten Anderson, LB Jonah Schroeder, KR Ryker Baer.
What to look for: It will undoubtedly be the biggest test of the year, so far, for the Cougars. They’re 2-0 against a pair of much weaker opponents in Beech Grove and Greensburg. For the Marauders, the Cougars provide the third big challenge in as many weeks. It was the same case a year ago and the Cougars won a thriller with a lot of big plays. G-C brings its Wishbone offense that has gotten better in each of Nolting’s seasons as the G-C leader. Foley, Hinton, Benavente and Freeman are all top-notch runners and Freeman has great chemistry and connection with WR Willard. The Marauders may not have as many players with rushing attempts, but Brogan is as good as anyone in Hancock County and one of the top 4A runners in the state. Slowing down the ground game will be crucial for both clubs. MV has an added weapon in Vinard, who already has three field goals.
