HANCOCK COUNTY — With six regular season weeks down and three to go, high school football teams are looking for a late-season push to provide momentum into the postseason.
Along with three weeks of regular season games remaining, teams are less than two weeks away from finding out sectional pairings, which will be announced Oct. 13.
This Friday, New Palestine and Eastern Hancock will try to keep their undefeated conference seasons alive. Greenfield-Central has an opportunity to get back on track after suffering its first loss of the season and Mt. Vernon is looking for a third straight win after starting 0-4.
New Palestine remains at the top of all the Class 4A polls. The Dragons are 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the Hoosier Heritage Conference. They are 78-2 in HHC games since 2013 and have won 23 straight league matchups.
The Dragons travel to conference-foe Shelbyville for a 7 p.m. contest. The Golden Bears are 1-5 and winless in the HHC.
New Palestine will likely be more concerned with its play than the opponent.
In last week’s 38-0 win over Greenfield-Central, the Dragons were called for 11 penalties and had four offensive series end on failed fourth-down conversions.
“Our defense kept us in it because our offense was no good,” New Palestine coach Kyle Ralph said after the win over the Cougars Saturday.
The defense was dominant, holding a 41-point per game Cougar offense to zero points and just four first downs.
In the mud on a rainy, windy night in Charlottesville, Eastern Hancock lost 8-0 to Milan last week.
They’ll face another 1A opponent having a strong year this week.
The Royals head to Parker City to play 5-1 Monroe Central. The Golden Bears are just outside the Top 10 in 1A. Their lone loss is in a Mid-Eastern Conference game against North Decatur.
Eastern is 3-3 after the loss to Milan, but are 1-0 in the MEC, winning at North Decatur in Week 2.
Greenfield-Central is back on the homefield Friday against a strong Yorktown club. The Tigers are 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the HHC, with losses to New Palestine and New Castle.
The Cougars are 17-4 in the last 21 games with all four losses coming against New Palestine. The last team to beat them other than the Dragons was Yorktown, a 40-29 decision in 2022 at Myers Field. The Cougars have won the last two meetings against the Tigers.
After losing their first four games, Mt. Vernon has played well in wins over Delta and Pendleton Heights. New Castle will visit Fortville Friday. It’s one of the stronger teams of late for Kyle York’s Trojans. New Castle is 4-2 overall and tied for second in the conference with Greenfield-Central at 3-1.
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Week 7
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – New Castle (4-2, 3-1) at Mt. Vernon (2-4, 2-2)
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (5-0, 4-0) at Shelbyville (1-5 0-4)
7 p.m. – Yorktown (4-2, 2-2) at Class 4A No. 7 Greenfield-Central (5-1, 3-1)
7:30 p.m. – Eastern Hancock (3-3, 1-0) at Class 1A RV Monroe Central (5-1, 0-1)
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Game Capsules
Eastern Hancock (3-3, 1-0) at 1A RV Monroe Central (5-1, 0-1)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Pat Echeverria, 39-28 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 71-84 in 14th year overall. John Hochstetler, 96-45 in 13th year at Monroe Central, 183-128 in 28th year overall.
Recent history: Eastern Hancock broke a three-game losing streak to Monroe Central last year, beating the Golden Bears 40-26 in Charlottesville.
Sagarin ratings: Eastern Hancock, 51.12, 158th overall, 24thin 2A. Monroe Central, 45.19, 189th overall, 17th in 1A.
Players to watch: 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; Monroe Central – RB/LB/P Jerimiah Ullom, RB/WR/DB Justus Ullom, QB/LB Lane Wilson, WR/DB Carter Duncan, LB/WR Peyton Farmer, OL/DL Elijah Goodspeed.
What to look for: Coming off a disappointing 8-0 loss to Milan in horrible conditions last Friday, the Royals are looking to bounce back and run their Mid-Eastern Conference record to 2-0. Eastern Hancock is still trying to get healthy, playing without its top receiver (Hayden Jackson) and top rusher (Mark Kube). Edon has still been strong without a couple of top weapons. Wheeler has stepped in admirably for Kube. The Royals will have their hands full in Monroe’s Jerimiah Ullom, who leads the Golden Bears in rushing and receiving and is also their No. 2 tackler.
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Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (5-0, 4-0) at Shelbyville (1-5, 0-4)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle Ralph, 132-14 in 12th year at New Palestine. Scott Fitzgerald, 4-12 in 2nd year at Shelbyville.
Recent history: New Palestine has had the upperhand in the series for 11 straight meetings. In a 49-7 victory last season, Shelbyville scored its first points against the Dragons since 2018.
Sagarin ratings: New Palestine, 93.76, 2nd overall, 1st in 4A. Shelbyville, 36.49, 227th overall, 51st in 4A.
Players to watch: 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/P Jake Wells. Shelbyville – RB/LB Donavon Martin, OL/LB Brayden Schultz, WR/RB/LB Grantland Fitzgerald, OL/LB Julian Eads, QB Tyler Gwinnup.
What to look for: The Dragons want to be more efficient on offense. In a 38-0 victory over Greenfield-Central last week, they turned the ball over on downs four times and also committed – both offensively and defensively combined – 11 penalties. On the defensive side, they want to keep the dominance they had over a good Greenfield-Central team, holding the Cougars to only four first downs. Shelbyville will be overmatched, but have a solid RB in Martin, who is averaging 164.5 yards per game.
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New Castle (4-2, 3-1) at Mt. Vernon (2-4, 2-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle York, 30-50 in 8th year at New Castle; Vince Lidy, 29-14 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon is 12-1 in the series and has won eight straight. New Castle’s last win was a 56-36 decision in 2017.
Sagarin ratings: New Castle, 59.02, 125th overall, 30th in 4A. Mt. Vernon 65.87, 86th overall, 22nd in 4A.
Players to watch: New Castle – WR/SS Tylin Thrine, RB/LB Caleb Clapp, WR/DB Neil McMartin, WR/FS Cade Logston, DE/LB Christian Wagers, LB Trent Supinger, QB Carson Bell; Mt. Vernon — QB Mason Meyer, RB Joliba Brogan, RB/WR/DB DJ Johnson, WR/DB Gavin Joy, LB Christian Kiptoo, K Rylan Vinard, WR/DB Kolten Anderson, LB Jonah Schroder, OL/DL Preston Fox.
What to look for: After a tough go to start the season, the Marauders have won two in a row. Meyer, a sophomore, appears to be getting more comfortable at quarterback and Brogan is always a dangerous threat as a running back and returner. Mt. Vernon has had its way in recent years, but the Trojans have been solid this year both overall and in conference games.
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Yorktown (4-2, 2-2) at Class 4A No. 7 Greenfield-Central (5-1, 3-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Mike Wilhelm, 109-105 in 20th year at Yorktown. Travis Nolting, 33-25 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 93-53 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: Greenfield-Central has won three of the last four meetings, including a 35-30 decision last season at Yorktown.
Sagarin ratings: Yorktown, 62.22, 106th overall, 27th in 4A. Greenfield-Central 73.03, 52nd overall, 9th in 4A..
Players to watch: Yorktown – WR/FS Ephraim Daugherty, QB/LB Sam Tokar, CB/QB Noah Long, TE/DE Julian McKay, RB/LB/S Wilson Webster, WR/FS Cole Perdue; Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, 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.
What to look for: Greenfield-Central is looking to get back on track after a tough loss at New Palestine on Saturday. Along with a 38-0 loss, the Cougars got banged up in the loss and may be without some top players against the Tigers. Yorktown provides a stiff challenge at 4-2 overall. The Tigers have leaned on the pass a little more than the run, throwing for 780 total yards and rushing for 704.
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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;6;55;80;953;.688;158.8;11;1;143.4
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;6;47;78;690;.603;115.0;11;2;118.1
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;5;80;141;1221;.567;244.2;13;5;101.4
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;6;37;81;492;.457;82.0;3;4;57.2
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;6;78;890;11.4;148.3;14
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;3;60;372;6.2;124.0;4
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;6;127;660;5.2;110.0;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;6;18;410;22.8;68.3;6
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;5;20;304;15.2;60.8;1
Mason Oglesby, New Palestine;6;21;264;12.6;44.0;1
Kayden Ruble, Eastern Hancock;5;18;220;12.2;44.0;2
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Jonah Schroder, Mt. Vernon;5;23;21;44;8.8;3.0
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;6;16;33;49;8.2;2.0
Ayden Trueblood, Eastern Hancock;5;20;18;38;7.6;3.0
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;6;28;17;45;7.5;6.0
Ethan Sipes, Eastern Hancock;5;21;16;37;7.4;2.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;5;4.5;0.9
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;6;5.0;0.8
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;6;4.0;0.7
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;6;4.0;0.7
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;6;3.0;0.5
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Connor Jacobia, New Palestine;5;3;0.6
Austin Kincer, Greenfield-Central;6;2;0.3
Caden Jacobia, New Palestine;5;1;0.2
Carson Anderson, Greenfield-Central;6;1;0.2
Kolten Anderson, Mt. Vernon;6;1;0.2
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;6;1;0.2
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;6;1;0.2
Zach Waterman, Greenfield-Central;6;1;0.2
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;13;472;36.3
Jake Wells, New Palestine;5;177;35.4
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;4;120;30.0
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;2;59;29.5
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;5;146;29.2
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;33;98
Gavin Joy, Mt. Vernon;52;31;83
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;6;14;0;0;0;84;14.0
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;3;5;0;0;0;30;10.0
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;5;7;6;0;2;50;10.0
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;6;9;2;0;0;56;9.3
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;6;9;0;0;0;54;9.0
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (WEEK 7)
6A
1. Brownsburg (8) 6-0 98
2. Warren Central (1) 6-0 80
3. Westfield 5-1 79
4. Center Grove 5-1 67
5. Crown Point 6-0 60
6. Lawrence North (1) 6-0 58
7. Indpls. Cathedral 3-2 43
8. Hamilton SE 4-2 27
9. Fishers 4-2 21
10. Carroll (FW) 4-2 6
Others receiving votes: Elkhart 5-1 (3), Penn 5-1 (3), Zionsville 3-3 (3), FW Snider 4-2 (2), Columbus North 5-1 (1), Franklin Central 3-2 (1)
5A
1. Concord (7) 6-0 97
2. Lafayette Jeff 6-0 87
3. Merrillville (3) 5-1 80
4. Valparaiso 4-2 63
5. Decatur Central 3-2 55
6. Castle 5-1 44
7. East Central 4-2 40
8. Plainfield 5-1 35
9. Bloomington North 5-1 21
10. Whiteland 3-2 9
Others receiving votes: Bloomington South 4-2 (7), Warsaw 3-3 (7), Michigan City 2-4 (4), Chesterton 4-2 (2)
4A
1. New Palestine (10) 5-0 100
2. Martinsville 6-0 83
3. Indpls. Chatard 5-1 79
4. Mishawaka 5-1 54
5. Columbia City 6-0 47
6. Evansville Reitz 5-1 43
7. Greenfield-Central 5-1 37
8. Leo 5-1 24
9. East Noble 5-1 23
10. Indpls. Roncalli 3-2 19
Others receiving votes: Brebeuf Jesuit 4-2 (12), Northview 6-0 (10), Hanover Central 5-1 (8), Danville 5-1 (2), Logansport 5-1 (2), Culver Academy 5-1 (1), FW Dwenger 2-4 (1), Hobart 4-2 (1)
3A
1. Evansville Memorial (9) 6-0 99
2. Heritage Hills (1) 5-1 89
3. FW Luers 5-1 72
4. Evansville Mater Dei 5-1 58
5. Mississinewa 6-0 53
6. Gibson Southern 4-2 52
7. Lawrenceburg 5-1 43
8. Guerin Catholic 3-3 25
9. West Lafayette 4-2 21
10. Garrett 6-0 14
Others receiving votes: Batesville 4-2 (8), Southridge 4-2 (6), Maconaquah 6-0 (4), Cascade 6-0 (2), Griffith 6-0 (2), West Noble 5-1 (2), Heritage 5-1 (1)
2A
1. Lafayette CC (8) 5-0 96
2. Brownstown Central (1) 6-0 82
2. Indpls. Lutheran (1) 5-1 82
4. Adams Central 5-1 65
5. Western Boone 6-0 55
6. Monrovia 5-1 43
7. North Posey 5-1 41
8. Bluffton 6-0 24
9. Paoli 6-0 23
10. Heritage Christian 5-1 16
Others receiving votes: South Vermillion 6-0 (15), Linton-Stockton 4-2 (8), Triton Central 4-2 (3)
1A
1. North Judson (9) 6-0 99
2. Providence (1) 5-0 87
3. Carroll (Flora) 6-0 81
4. North Decatur 5-1 63
5. Madison-Grant 6-0 58
5. South Putnam 4-2 58
7. Springs Valley 5-1 41
8. Pioneer 5-1 31
9. Triton 4-2 18
10. Milan 4-2 16
Others receiving votes: Monroe Central 5-1 (13), Frontier 5-0 (5), North Vermillion 5-1 (4)
