CHARLOTTESVILLE — To most, Friday night’s regular season football finale may just seem like a meeting between Eastern Hancock and Lapel.
For a few, it means much more.
It’s not just the Royals squaring off against the Bulldogs, it’s the Manships vs. the Millers.
Eastern Hancock brothers Eli and Luke Manship will be wearing blue and white while lining up against them in black and gold will be their cousin Jack Miller and uncle’s Tim (head coach) and Todd (defensive coordinator) Miller.
“I would be lying to you if I said it didn’t affect Thanksgiving some years. We spend most of the season rooting for each other and hoping we both do well and then in a three-week period we hope that we see each other twice,” Tim said. “The last few years, we’ve been two pretty evenly matched teams. You want to win any game, but now with there being two Manship boys and my own son, it means even more.”
In the stands – or behind the end zone – will be a group of family members trying to be as neutral as possible.
“It’s probably hardest on my dad [Tom] because he doesn’t want to be partial to either side. He pretty much rotates week to week between Lapel and Eastern Hancock games,” Tim said. “There will be a pretty large family contingent there on Friday for this one.”
Tom Miller and his wife Marciann will be in their typical spot behind an end zone rooting on their grandkids and sons during Friday night’s family clash.
“My wife and I make it a point to sit right square in the back of the end zone with chairs so that we’re not on either side,” Tom said.
The family grew up in Hancock County and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School, and while Tim and Todd moved on to coach at Lapel, their sister, Libby, stayed in Hancock County with her husband, Mike Manship, whom she met at Mt. Vernon.
“My sister and brother-in-law selfishly would not move to Lapel and bring their boys with them. I questioned them on that one,” Tim joked. “We take trips together though, we were all at the lake together this summer, and we always talk about the games that we’ve played against each other and will play against each other. That piece of it is a lot of fun.”
The family ties to football also begin at Mt. Vernon where Tom, Tim and Todd all played.
“I think too, me, Luke and Jack are always trying to compare ourselves to what Tim, Todd and our grandpa did at Mt. Vernon,” Eli said. “We’re trying to be just as good as them and that’s something we talk about all the time. It goes back a long way.”
Since taking over the Lapel football program in 2012, Tim has won four sectional championships and a school-record 80 games. In 2022, he knocked out the Royals – and his nephew — in the sectional en route to a championship, and last year the Royals – and Eli – returned the favor, defeating the Bulldogs in the opening round on their way to winning the title.
“That Thanksgiving, I may have worn a sectional championship shirt and I may have thrown some bragging rights at them, but at the end of the day it’s just a game, we all love each other and that family bond can’t be broken,” Eli said. “We’ll remember these games forever.”
The oldest of the kids playing in the game, Eli has faced Lapel four times. Last year, was his first time playing against his cousin Jack, and now this season his younger brother Luke will be a part of the game.
“I’m excited,” Luke said. “It’s definitely going to be different playing against my cousin and uncles, but definitely looking forward to it, for sure.”
The three kids aren’t just taking up spots on the team’s rosters either, they are all major pieces of their team’s success.
Jack is the starting running back for Lapel and has rushed for 749 yards and nine touchdowns this season and has caught 11 passes for 158 yards and a score.
For Eastern Hancock, the Manship brothers are first and second on the team in receptions. Eli has caught a team-high 35 passes for 541 yards and three touchdowns, while Luke has hauled in 21 passes for 279 yards and one score. Both see time on the defensive side of the ball too.
“It definitely adds a piece to it. We find ways to get the film during the year because we want to keep up with how they’re playing. We tend not to text each other about things, but Todd will text me and say something like, ‘Go watch clip 72 of this game, Eli or Luke made a big catch or a big play,’” Tim said. “Two of them being involved adds another element because the last two years it was just Eli.”
As defensive coordinator for the Bulldogs, Todd has the unique task of game planning to stop his nephews. In the two meetings last year, Eli went for 53 yards and 73 yards.
“It is a little weird because I’ll lineup at receiver next to their sideline and Todd is right there calling the defense to try and stop me and our offense. A basic word, but the best word for it, is that it’s just different. I have to still go out there with my team and we all have to do our job, but personally, in that game, I know way more than my teammates do,” Eli said. “Not every player has uncles and cousins that they’re going against. It’s a different mindset that you have to have for sure, but there’s still a goal to accomplish out there.”
That goal this season for the two teams is to end the season strong as they enter postseason play. Both the Bulldogs and Royals sit at 5-3 on the season and will have tough first-round sectional matchups against Northeastern and Centerville, respectively.
With wins, the family members would meet each other again in the semifinal.
“Within Eastern Hancock schools, Lapel has always been a big game and kind of a rivalry. Then you bring our family into it too and it’s neat to see. We’re always proud of Tim, Todd, Jack and all their accomplishments, and I know they’re proud of us,” Eli said. “We didn’t really want to draw them this year though because we’ve played them two straight years in the sectional.”
While on the field, things are business as usual, it doesn’t take long for everyone involved to go back to being normal family members.
“It’s one big unhappy family on the night they play each other,” Tom said laughingly. “They all get along well together though, that’s the good thing. They’ve grown up together and have grown up around sports both in the family and outside of it. We’re all not far apart, and I live about halfway in between each school. We get together for the typical summer cookout and on holidays. For me, it’s a delight that they can compete hard and then shake hands after the game and come to Christmas or Thanksgiving and all still get along.”
Those family gatherings — as would be expected — are filled with conversations about all types of football.
“We love talking football when we’re together. Even for some family pictures we’ve brought our Lapel and Eastern Hancock jerseys with to wear. During the season we try not to talk about each other’s team, but we definitely talk about other teams and that’s always awesome,” Eli said. “That family aspect brings a lot more to the game and we embrace it fully. Whether it’s fantasy football or backyard football at the holidays, it’s always great to talk football with them.”
The Royals and Bulldogs play Friday at 7 p.m. at Eastern Hancock.
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Week 9
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – Lapel (5-3) at Eastern Hancock (5-3)
7 p.m. – Mt. Vernon (4-4, 4-2) at Yorktown (5-3, 3-3)
7 p.m. – New Castle (4-4, 3-3) at Class 4A No. 8 Greenfield-Central (6-2, 4-2)
7:30 p.m. – Delta (4-4, 2-4) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (7-0, 6-0)
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Game Capsules
Lapel (5-3) at Eastern Hancock (5-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Tim Miller, 80-66 in 13th year at Lapel. Pat Echeverria, 41-28 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 73-84 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: The teams split two entertaining games last season. At Lapel in the regular-season finale, the Bulldogs won 36-31. At EH in the opening round of the sectional, the Royals won 45-43.
Sagarin ratings: Lapel 49.6, 157th overall, 26th in 2A. Eastern Hancock, 57.13, 124th overall, 13th in 2A.
Players to watch: Lapel – QB Devin Craig, RB Jack Miller, WR/DB Rylie Hudson, WR/DB Brice Burress, MLB Isaiah Young, CB Mason Page, WR Jaxon Cripe, CB/WR Jayden Lindsey; Eastern Hancock — QB Elijah Edon, LB Gabe Johnson, LB Ayden Trueblood, RB Mark Kube, WR Eli Manship, WR Luke Manship, 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: If last year’s games were any indication, the Week 9 matchup of the Royals and Bulldogs could be a fun one. After combining for 67 points (a 36-31 Lapel win) in last year’s regular-season meeting, they upped the mark to 88 (a 45-43 EH win) in a first-round sectional game. The good news is most of those that piled up the yardage and points in 2023 are back. Craig and Edon are two of the better underclass QBs in the state and you could say the same for RBs Miller and Kube and a slew of receivers. This has all the potential to be another high-scoring affair.
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Mt. Vernon (4-4, 4-2) at Yorktown (5-3, 3-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 31-14 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon. Mike Wilhelm, 110-106 in 20th year at Yorktown.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon has won nine in a row against Yorktown, including a 35-21 win in Fortville last season.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 69.1, 69th overall, 17th in 4A. Yorktown, 60.9, 107th overall, 30th in 4A.
Players to watch:Mt. Vernon — QB Mason Meyer, RB Joliba Brogan, RB/WR/DB DJ Johnson, WR/DB Gavin Joy, WR/KR Ryker Baer, LB Christian Kiptoo, K Rylan Vinard, WR/DB Kolten Anderson, LB Jonah Schroder, OL/DL Preston Fox. Yorktown – WR/FS Ephraim Daugherty, QB/LB Sam Tokar, CB/QB/RB Noah Long, TE/DE Julian McKay, RB/LB/S Wilson Webster, WR/FS Cole Perdue;
What to look for: The Marauders are one of the area’s hottest teams. They have a chance to win a fifth game in a row. The task won’t be easy. Yorktown has a win over Greenfield-Central, a team that beat Mt. Vernon early in the year, but the Tigers have shown some inconsistency. Along with impressive wins over G-C and Delta, they have been beaten handily by both New Castle and Pendleton Heights.
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New Castle (4-4, 3-3) at Class 4A No. 8 Greenfield-Central (6-2, 4-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle York, 30-52 in 8th year at New Castle. Travis Nolting, 34-26 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 94-54 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: Greenfield-Central has won five straight in the series. Last season, Greenfield-Central won a 44-20 contest in New Castle.
Sagarin ratings: New Castle, 56.18, 130th overall, 34th in 4A. Greenfield-Central 70.36, 62nd overall, 14th 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. Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, FB Braylen Benavente, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, 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: The Cougars were healthy and it showed in last week’s 42-7 victory at Delta. Back at home, the Cougars want to finish the regular-season strong. At full strength, the Cougars will be led by dual-threat QB Freeman, a strong running attack with backs Hinton, Benavente and Foley and a physical defense with the likes of Blevens, VanOsdol, Hinton, Foley among others.
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Delta (4-4, 2-4) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (7-0, 6-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Coaches: Chris Overholt, 55-42 in 9th year at Delta. Kyle Ralph, 134-14 in 12th year at New Palestine.
Recent history: The all-time series is tight, with the Dragons having a 16-15 advantage, but it has been all Dragons of late. New Palestine has won 11 in a row against the Eagles.
Sagarin ratings: Delta, 52.75, 146th overall, 28th in 3A. New Palestine, 88.47 9th overall, 2nd in 4A.
Players to watch: New Palestine – DL Michael Thacker, OL/DL Brock Brownfield, QB Jacob Davis, LB Garrett Ranes, RB/LB Josh Ranes, LB Alex Guhl, WR/DB Cameron Rollyson, WR Austin McMahan, RB/DB Caden Jacobia, K/P Jake Wells. Delta – RB Nolan Carpenter, QB Bronson Edwards, WR Zane Cline, DE/TE Landon Brooks, OLB Nash Keesling, DE/OL Cole Mynett.
What to look for: The Dragons clinched the Hoosier Heritage Conference last week, but they want to finish it, as coach Ralph said after the New Castle win, “The right way,” by wrapping up an undefeated season. It would be the school’s 13th undefeated regular season and ninth in 12 years under Ralph. It is also Senior Night and the Dragons will recognize their 15 seniors.
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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;8;77;113;1238;.681;154.8;14;1;140.4
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;8;60;109;934;.550;116.8;14;5;104.1
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;8;123;215;1773;.572;221.6;16;6;97.3
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;8;57;113;756;.504;94.5;5;5;68.3
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;8;105;1166;11.1;145.8;19
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;8;183;1048;5.7;131.0;13
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;5;89;613;6.9;122.6;10
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;8;105;512;4.9;64.0;8
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;7;49;344;7.0;49.1;6
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;8;35;541;15.5;67.6;3
Austin McMahan, New Palestine;8;24;506;21.1;63.3;7
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;7;20;379;19.0;54.1;4
Kayden Ruble, Eastern Hancock;5;18;220;12.2;44.0;2
Boston Willard, Greenfield-Central;8;21;351;16.7;43.9;5
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;8;29;45;74;9.3;2.0
Kody Smith, Greenfield-Central;7;33;24;57;8.1;5.0
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;8;40;24;64;8.0;10.5
Jonah Schroder, Mt. Vernon;7;30;22;52;7.4;4.0
Eddie Mullins, Greenfield-Central;7;30;20;50;7.1;3.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;8;7.0;0.9
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;8;5.5;0.7
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;8;5.0;0.6
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;8;5.0;0.6
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;7;4.0;0.6
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Connor Jacobia, New Palestine;7;3;0.4
Austin Kincer, Greenfield-Central;8;2;0.3
Nine players tied with 1 interception
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;13;472;36.3
Jake Wells, New Palestine;6;208;34.7
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;7;223;31.9
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;6;188;31.3
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;2;59;29.5
RETURN YARDS
Name, School;K;P;T
Garrett Shaw, Eastern Hancock;350;1;351
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;155;0;155
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;68;68;136
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;132;0;132
Gavin Joy, Mt. Vernon;77;31;108
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;8;19;0;0;0;114;14.3
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;5;10;4;0;0;64;12.8
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;8;13;0;0;0;78;9.8
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;8;10;8;0;6;74;9.3
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;7;10;2;0;0;62;8.9
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (WEEK 9)
6A
1. Brownsburg (7) 8-0 97
2. Lawrence North (3) 8-0 93
3. Westfield 7-1 78
4. Crown Point 8-0 72
5. Warren Central 7-1 54
6. Indpls. Cathedral 5-2 46
7. Elkhart 7-1 31
8. Center Grove 5-3 24
9. Columbus North 7-1 23
10. Franklin Central 5-2 15
Others receiving votes: Carroll (FW) 6-2 (9), Indpls Pike 5-3 (7), Hamilton SE 5-3 (6), Fishers 4-4 (1)
5A
1. Concord (9) 8-0 98
2. Lafayette Jeff 8-0 89
3. Merrillville (1) 7-1 81
4. Castle 7-1 61
5. Decatur Central 5-2 56
6. East Central 5-2 49
7. Plainfield 7-1 47
8. Valparaiso 5-3 27
9. Bloomington North 6-2 24
10. Warsaw 5-3 15
Others receiving votes: Floyd Central 5-2 (2), Chesterton 5-3 (1)
4A
1. New Palestine (10) 7-0 100
2. Martinsville 8-0 88
3. Indpls Chatard 6-1 81
4. East Noble 7-1 61
5. Columbia City 7-1 47
6. Mishawaka 6-2 45
7. Brebeuf Jesuit 6-2 35
8. Greenfield-Central 6-2 23
9. Logansport 7-1 18
10. Danville 7-1 17
10. Leo 6-2 17
Others receiving votes: New Prairie 5-3 (10), Mooresville 3-5 (7), Culver Academy 7-1 (5), Evansville Reitz 6-2 (2), Hanover Central 6-2 (2), Indpls Roncalli 3-4 (1), Northview 7-1 (1)
3A
1. Evansville Memorial (9) 8-0 99
2. Heritage Hills (1) 7-1 81
3. Evansville Mater Dei 7-1 69
4. Mississinewa 8-0 65
5. Gibson Southern 6-2 64
6. Lawrenceburg 7-1 51
7. Garrett 8-0 28
8. Cascade 8-0 19
8. FW Luers 5-3 19
10. Southridge 6-2 18
Others receiving votes: Heritage 7-1 (13), Guerin Catholic 4-4 (11), Maconaquah 8-0 (6), West Noble 7-1 (4), Griffith 8-0 (3), West Lafayette 5-3 (2), Hammond Noll 3-5 (1), Scottsburg 6-2 (1)
2A
1. Lafayette CC (8) 7-0 97
2. Indpls. Lutheran (1) 7-1 91
3. Brownstown Central (1) 8-0 78
4. Adams Central 7-1 70
5. South Vermillion 8-0 47
6. Paoli 8-0 44
6. Western Boone 7-1 44
8. Linton-Stockton 6-2 20
8. Monrovia 6-2 20
10. North Posey 6-2 19
Others receiving votes: Heritage Christian 6-2 (11), Northeastern 8-0. (4), Andrean 4-4 (2), Rochester 7-1 (2), Boone Grove 5-3 (1)
1A
1. North Judson (9) 8-0 99
2. Providence (1) 7-0 87
3. Carroll (Flora) 8-0 82
4. Madison-Grant 8-0 60
5. North Decatur 7-1 56
6. South Putnam 6-2 47
7. Springs Valley 7-1 44
8. Frontier 7-0 30
8. Triton 6-2 30
10. Milan 5-3 14
Others receiving votes: Pioneer 6-2 (11), Tri-County 5-3 (10), North Vermillion 7-1 (7)
