Here we go again.
It’s Week 6 of the high school football season and the matchup between Hancock County rivals Greenfield-Central and New Palestine pits two undefeated state-ranked teams.
A year ago, it was Class 4A No. 6 New Palestine traveling to Clayton Myers Field in Greenfield to take on the 4A No. 5 Cougars.
In a game that was described as a battle in the trenches, the Dragons prevailed 21-14. Both teams were 5-0 prior to last year’s regular season game. The Dragons went on to beat the Cougars again, at New Pal, in a sectional semifinal game, handing Greenfield-Central its only two losses in 2023.
This Friday at New Palestine’s Kelso Stadium, the Dragons are 4-0 and ranked No. 1. The Cougars are 5-0 and ranked No. 5.
“It’s a couple years in a row now that both of us have been in this position where we’re both highly-ranked and there’s a lot on the line,” New Palestine head coach Kyle Ralph said. “It’s a huge Friday night, not just for conference, but it’s a county rival, the proximity of both of us, the records, the quality of the two teams, it’s a huge one.”
The Dragons have won the last 15 meetings and last 16 regular-season meetings against the Cougars. They are the only remaining undefeated teams in the Hoosier Heritage Conference. Both are 3-0 in league games.
New Palestine, along with its long string of wins against Greenfield-Central, has won 22 straight conference games and are 77-2 in HHC contests since 2013. Greenfield-Central has won 11 of its last 12 league matchups.
“It’s going to be a big game. New Pal is a great team and we’re going to have to play a great game in all three phases,” Greenfield-Central coach Travis Nolting said. “Games like this are why you coach and why you play. Our kids will be excited for it for sure.”
The teams boast two of Class 4A’s better offenses.
The Dragons average 47 points per game, second best in 4A. The Cougars are No. 6 at 41.0, though one of their games lasted just one quarter, a 35-0 win against Greensburg. New Palestine has scored 56 points in each of its last two contests. Greenfield-Central scored 50 in its opener and had 49 in a win last week at Shelbyville.
New Palestine added a new wrinkle to its offense last week.
Gavin Neal, who was the team’s starting quarterback last season as a sophomore, returned from injury in a 56-17 win at Pendleton Heights. In his first game of the season, he returned as one of the team’s running backs.
He rushed for 108 yards on eight carries and had two touchdowns.
“He’s done a great job,” Ralph said of Neal’s return to the field. “He’s worked through the rehab stuff, been practicing for a couple weeks. He was cleared good to go, got his practices in, and put on the pads Pendleton week. [He] had a great week of practice and we felt comfortable taking the training wheels off and letting him go.”
Nolting’s Wishbone has evolved during his six years at the helm.
Known to be predominantly a rushing offense, the Cougars, with talented senior quarterback Dallas Freeman, have added the passing game over the last three seasons.
Freeman became the program’s all-time leading passer in last week’s win over Shelbyville. He was 17-for-23 for 283 yards and four touchdowns in the win and has 3,023 yards and counting for his career. The former record was 2,823, set by Tyler Edon from 1999-2002.
They still run the ball. Freeman had a pair of rushing touchdowns and the Cougars have four different backs averaging around 50 rushing yards per game.
“They’re more diverse now with what they do with the ability to run and throw the ball effectively,” Ralph said of the Cougars offense. “They can pack things in and be physical, or they can spread things out. They do a good job of keeping teams off-balance with that. Before, you were hyper-concerned about the run and option responsibilities, now you have to practice for the run, the option, spread-run game, the passing game, it has ramped up the amount of variables during the week you have to be ready for.”
The Cougars-Dragons matchup is one of three games Friday involving Hancock County teams.
Eastern Hancock welcomes Class 1A No. 9 Milan for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Mt. Vernon, fresh off its first win of the season, looks for a second across county lines at Pendleton Heights in southern Madison County. Kickoff in Pendleton is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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Week 6
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 5 Greenfield-Central (5-0, 3-0) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (4-0, 3-0)
7 p.m. – Class 1A No. 9 Milan (3-2) at Eastern Hancock (3-2)
7:30 p.m. – Mt. Vernon (1-4, 1-2) at Pendleton Heights (2-3, 1-2)
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Game Capsules
Class 4A No. 5 Greenfield-Central (5-0, 3-0) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (4-0, 3-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Travis Nolting, 33-24 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 93-52 in 14th year overall. Kyle Ralph, 131-14 in 12th year at New Palestine
Recent history: New Palestine has won 15 straight in the series, dating back to 2011. The Dragons have beaten the Cougars twice – regular season and postseason – in each of the last two seasons. In 2023, the losses were the only two the Cougars had all year.
Sagarin ratings: Greenfield-Central 76.18, 40th overall, 10th in 4A; New Palestine 90.45, 7th overall, 1st in 4A.
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, FB Braylen Benavente, RB/LB Payton Foley, DL Zach Blevens, WR Boston Willard, DL Jake VanOsdol, SS Trenton Smith, LB Kody Smith, DB Zach Waterman, WR Landon Ford, WR/KR James Learey; New Palestine – DL Michael Thacker, OL/DL Brock Brownfield, QB Jacob Davis, LB Garrett Ranes, LB/RB Josh Ranes, LB Alex Guhl, WR/DB Cameron Rollyson, TE/LB Mason Oglesby, WR Austin McMahan, RB Gavin Neal, RB/DB Caden Jacobia, DB Connor Jacobia, K Jake Wells.
What to look for: New Palestine ranks second (47) and Greenfield-Central is No. 6 (41) in points per game in Class 4A, while the teams’ defenses have high rankings too. The Cougars (11.4) are No. 5 and the Dragons (13) are No. 6. Something will have to give Friday night at Kelso Stadium. Last year’s regular season matchup was a battle in the trenches, won by the Dragons 21-14. The rematch in the sectional was all Dragons, 35-0.
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Mt. Vernon (1-4, 1-2) at Pendleton Heights (2-3, 1-2)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 28-14 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon; Jed Richman, 50-40 in 9th year at Pendleton Heights, 85-70 in 15th year overall.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon had won eight straight prior to Pendleton Heights defeating the Marauders 24-10 in Fortville in 2023.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 64.95, 89th overall, 20th in 4A. Pendleton Heights 63.83, 100th overall, 23rd in 4A.
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, WR/DB Kolten Anderson, LB Jonah Schroeder, OL/DL Preston Fox; Pendleton Heights – QB Colton Frank, RB Keaton Jones, WR Nate Derolf, WR Jacob Rowley, WR/DB Cooper Sims, LB Nico White, LB Garrett Pederson, DL Jacob Eldridge.
What to look for: The Marauders got on track last week with an impressive win over a solid Delta club. Mt. Vernon wants to continue that momentum off Meyer’s best game as a high school quarterback. The sophomore was part of five touchdowns in the 49-20 win at Delta. He rushed for 175 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 208 (8-for-11) and another score in the victory.
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Class 1A No. 9 Milan (3-2) at Eastern Hancock (3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Ryan Langferman, 114-75 in 17th year at Milan. Pat Echeverria, 39-27 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 71-83 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: After going six years without playing each other, the teams renewed their regular-season matchup in 2021. Eastern won 26-24 at Milan and Milan won in overtime at Eastern in 2022. A year ago, the Indians won big on their home field, 44-19.
Sagarin ratings: Milan, 58.38, 129th overall, 7th in 1A. Eastern Hancock, 51.68, 157th overall, 21st in 2A.
Players to watch: Milan – QB Wyatt Marsh, RB/CB Austin Green, RB/LB John McKeown, WR/CB Dylan Offill, TE/DE Grant Langferman, SS Cameron Gilb; Eastern Hancock — QB Elijah Edon, LB Gabe Johnson, LB Ayden Trueblood, WR Eli Manship, TE Kayden Ruble, OL Ethan Carter, OL Joseph Hollenbaugh, RB/DL Evan Wheeler, LB/RB Ethan Sipes, WR Austin Brown, WR/KR/DB Garrett Shaw
What to look for: The Royals continue to be banged up with some of their top offensive players on the shelf, still they have had little problem scoring points, totaling 50 last week in a win over Knightstown. A lot of yards came late behind the blocking of Carter, Hollenbaugh and the rest of the offensive line. At 41.4 points per game, the Royals rank No. 5 in Class 2A. Milan is No. 9 in 1A at 36 points per game. The Indians two losses have come against Class 3A schools (Batesville, Lawrenceburg).
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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;5;44;63;836;.698;167.2;10;1;145.3
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;5;44;67;681;.657;136.2;11;2;126.3
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;5;80;141;1221;.567;244.2;13;5;101.4
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;5;37;81;492;.457;98.4;3;4;57.2
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;5;54;707;13.1;141.4;12
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;3;60;372;6.2;124.0;4
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;5;100;528;5.3;105.6;9
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;5;61;328;5.4;65.6;5
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;5;50;292;5.8;58.4;5
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;3;17;294;17.3;98.0;5
Austin McMahan, New Palestine;5;14;356;25.4;71.2;5
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;5;20;304;15.2;60.8;1
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;4;10;199;19.9;49.8;2
Mason Oglesby, New Palestine;5;16;223;13.9;44.6;1
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Jonah Schroder, Mt. Vernon;4;20;16;36;9.0;3.0
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;5;14;27;41;8.2;2.0
Ayden Trueblood, Eastern Hancock;5;20;18;38;7.6;3.0
Ethan Sipes, Eastern Hancock;5;21;16;37;7.4;2.0
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;5;19;17;36;7.2;9.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;5;4.5;0.9
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;5;4.0;0.8
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;5;4.0;0.8
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;5;4.0;0.8
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;5;3.0;0.6
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Connor Jacobia, New Palestine;5;3;0.6
Caden Jacobia, New Palestine;4;1;0.3
Carson Anderson, Greenfield-Central;5;1;0.2
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;5;1;0.2
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;5;1;0.2
Zach Waterman, Greenfield-Central;5;1;0.2
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Jake Wells, New Palestine;5;177;35.4
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;9;305;33.9
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;4;120;30.0
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;5;146;29.2
John Duncan, Mt. Vernon;8;209;26.1
RETURN YARDS
Name, School;K;P;T
Garrett Shaw, Eastern Hancock;350;0;350
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;155;0;155
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;132;0;132
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;65;28;93
Gavin Joy, Mt. Vernon;52;31;83
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;5;12;0;0;0;72;14.4
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;5;9;2;0;0;56;11.2
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;5;9;0;0;0;54;10.8
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;3;5;0;0;0;30;10.0
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;5;7;6;0;2;50;10.o
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (Week 6)
6A
1. Brownsburg (8) 5-0 97
2. Westfield (2) 5-0 92
3. Warren Central 5-0 81
4. Center Grove 4-1 65
5. Crown Point 5-0 52
5. Lawrence North 5-0 52
7. Indpls. Cathedral 3-2 40
8. Hamilton SE 3-2 18
9. Fishers 3-2 15
10. Carroll (FW) 3-2 8
10. Elkhart 4-1 8
Others receiving votes: Ben Davis 1-4 (5), Penn 4-1 (5), Carmel 2-3 (3), Columbus North 4-1 (3), FW Snider 3-2 (2), Homestead 3-2 (1), Zionsville 3-2 (1)
5A
1. Concord (5) 5-0 95
2. Valparaiso (4) 4-1 89
3. Lafayette Jeff 5-0 76
3. Merrillville (1) 4-1 76
5. Plainfield 5-0 60
6. Whiteland 40
7. East Central 3-2 30
8. Warsaw 3-2 29
9. Decatur Central 2-2 25
10. Castle 4-1 17
10. Bloomington North 4-1 6
Others receiving votes: Bloomington North. 4-1 (6), Michigan City 1-4 (3), Chesterton 3-2 (2), Bloomington South 3-2 (1), Floyd Central 3-1 (1)
4A
1. New Palestine (10) 4-0 100
2. Evansvillle Reitz 5-0 82
3. Indpls. Chatard 4-1 79
4. Martinsville 5-0 67
5. Greenfield-Central 5-0 60
6. Mishawaka 4-1 40
7. Brebeuf Jesuit 4-1 37
8. Columbia City 5-0 32
9. Leo 4-1 20
10. East Noble 4-1 14
Others receiving votes: Hanover Central 4-1 (7), Indpls. Roncalli 2-2 (4), Northview 5-0 (4), Danville 4-1 (2), Hobart 3-2 (1), Logansport 4-1 (1)
3A
1. Evansville Memorial 5-0 (9) 99
2. Gibson Southern 4-1 79
2. Heritage Hills 4-1 (1) 79
4. FW Luers 4-1 69
5. Mississinewa 5-0 45
6. Evansville Mater Dei 4-1 40
7. Lawrenceburg 4-1 39
8. Guerin Catholic 3-2 31
9. Batesville 4-1 28
10. West Lafayette 3-2 15
Others receiving votes: West Noble 5-0 (11), Heritage 4-1 (9), Garrett 5-0 (8), Southridge 3-2 (5), Cascade 5-0 (3), Indian Creek 1-4 (2), Hammond Noll 2-3 (1), South Dearborn 4-1 (1)
2A
1. Lafayette CC 4-0 (9) 90
2. Brownstown Central 5-0 (1) 72
3. Indpls. Lutheran 4-1 69
4. Adams Central 4-1 54
5. Western Boone 5-0 52
6. North Posey 4-1 41
7. Monrovia 4-1 29
8. Bluffton 5-0 23
9. Paoli 5-0 20
10. Linton-Stockton 3-2 9
Others receiving votes: Lapel 4-1 (8), South Vermillion 5-0 (8), Centerville 5-0 (7), Triton Central 3-2 (7), Heritage Christian 4-1 (6)
1A
1. North Judson 5-0 (9) 99
2. Providence 5-0 (1) 81
3. Carroll (Flora) 5-0 80
4. North Decatur 4-1 62
5. South Putnam 3-2 50
6. Triton 4-1 46
7. Madison-Grant 5-0 41
7. Springs Valley 4-1 41
9. Milan 3-2 23
10. Pioneer 4-1 22
Others receiving votes: Monroe Central 4-1 (18), South Newton 3-2 (10), Forest Park 4-1 (5), LaVille 2-3 (2),
North Vermillion 4-1 (1)
