New Palestine’s Austin McMahan makes an over-the-shoulder catch against Delta.
Aaron Smith | For The Daily Reporter
By Andrew Smith
For The Daily Reporter
NEW PALESTINE – One goal is down for the New Palestine football team.
But the Dragons hope it’s just the beginning.
The Dragons had another dominant performance Friday in a 38-0 victory over Delta on Senior Night at Kelso Stadium, sending their 15 football seniors off with an unbeaten regular season.
The victory gave the Dragons an 8-0 record — their 13th unbeaten regular season in school history and their 10th since 2011. It also clinched their 10th unbeaten conference championship in 12 years.
The Dragons outgained Delta (4-5, 2-5 HHC) 483-49 in the victory, the fourth consecutive game holding a team under 100 yards.
“Delta’s a good team,” NP coach Kyle Ralph said. “They’ve had some ups and downs this year, but they do a great job. They’ve got a lot of really solid players. They’re big, they’re physical, they played us really tough tonight. To do what we did, I’m pleased. We made some mistakes. There’s a lot of stuff we still need to correct, but a couple of weeks ago, we said we had to take a step forward every day because right now, you have to be peaking. I wouldn’t say we’ve peaked yet, but we’re climbing that mountain.”
The Dragons hope to continue climbing that mountain in the state tournament, as they seek to begin a run to their fourth consecutive sectional title next week at Kelso Stadium against Mt. Vernon.
“It’s great to finish on the home field like this,” Dragons center Landon Seib said. “This is nice, but after we walk off this field, it’s a whole new week. We’ve got to get ready for sectional play. We’re trying to be a champion.”
But Friday night was about finishing the regular season in style. Junior running back Josh Ranes set the tone, carrying much of the way on a 71-yard drive that led to Jacob Davis’ 5-yard touchdown keeper.
Ranes ran for 235 yards in the contest, his second 200-yard game of the year. After the Dragons’ passing game struck twice — Davis hit Austin McMahan for a 51-yard TD and Cameron Rollyson for a 33-yarder — to put NP up 21-0, Ranes used two explosive plays to put the game away.
With the Dragons at their own 17 with 1:06 left in the half, Ranes blew through a hole on the right side and broke free for a 75-yard run. On the next play, Davis scampered into the end zone for a score 21 seconds ahead of halftime.
As a team, the Dragons ran for 346 yards.
“It’s hard playing against these guys because of what they do in the box,” Ralph said. “We knew they were always going to have one more than we could block. We knew we were going to have our twos, our fours, fives, but you’re also going to have your 40s and your 50s if done right. The way they play defense is very feast or famine. They’re going to shut you down a few times because they’re good and how they play. But if you’re physical and you move that front line, you’re going to have some big pop plays.”
In the third quarter, a 42-yard run by Ranes set the Dragons up in Delta territory, where Jake Wells capped it with a school record 49-yard field goal.
“We wanted to give him a shot from 49 tonight,” Ralph said. “He was confident because he’d already hit two from that distance yesterday in practice. It was electric to see. That’s a big deal. To know now, if you get the ball around the 30, you’ve got a chance to get some points. Three points is big in some of these games. That was great to see. What a moment for a senior.”
Ranes had four runs of 20 or more yards in the contest.
“That’s a great feeling,” Seib said. “When he gets in the open space — he’s fast, he’s big, it’s going to take more than one person to tackle him. When you see him go through the hole, it gives you assurance you did your job and you did it well.”
The Dragons’ passing game was also strong, as Davis completed 6-of-14 passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to his two first-half scores, he hit Eli Wasson for a 34-yard TD.
“The explosive plays in the passing game were what we were banking on this week to be able to flip the scoreboard,” Ralph said. “I felt the guys up front did a great job. Josh ran the ball hard, he had some great explosive plays on the ground. It’s good to see. When those two things are working together, we can be pretty potent.”
While the Dragons’ offense has been potent, the defense has been impenetrable. They’ve posted three shutouts in the last four weeks, and held four consecutive opponents to fewer than 100 total yards. Delta was held to four first downs, nine rushing yards and 40 total yards. Only two plays went for more than 10 yards, and the Eagles never got closer than the Dragons’ 43. Delta punted seven times on 10 possessions and had one turnover — an interception by Desmond Palmer in the third quarter.
NP has held three of its last four opponents to fewer than 50 total yards.
“That’s just a team playing together and everybody playing with passion,” Dragons defensive lineman Michael Thacker said. “Everybody’s playing their role. That’s what allows us to do that.”
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New Palestine 38, Delta 0
Delta (4-5, 2-5);0;0;0;0-;0
New Palestine (8-0, 7-0);14;14;10;0;-;38
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
NP – Jacob Davis 5 run (Jake Wells kick), 7:29
NP – Austin McMahan 51 pass from Davis (Wells kick), :10
2nd Quarter
NP – Cameron Rollyson 33 pass from Davis (Wells kick), 8:51
NP – Davis 8 run (Wells kick), :21
3rd Quarter
NP – Wells 49 FG, 9:05
NP – Eli Wasson 34 pass from Davis (Mallari Johnson kick), 1:23
