The high school football postseason begins Friday, and for Hancock County’s four teams, the opponent on the other side looks quite familiar.
All three games on tap that include county teams are rematches from the regular season. All three are home games for the team that traveled in the first meeting.
When it comes to being familiar, Mt. Vernon (4-5) and Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (8-0) go much further back than a Week 4 meeting in Fortville.
The county foes have one of the longest rivalries in the state. This will be their 66th meeting.
The programs have met in each of their 57 seasons of varsity football. This is the ninth time they have met in the sectional with the winner claiming the sectional title in each of the previous eight meetings.
New Palestine holds a 6-2 edge in tournament matchups and 40-24-1 overall.
On Sept. 13, New Palestine won 56-8. The Dragons had four touchdowns in just over one-half of the first quarter.
The county’s leading rusher, Josh Ranes, had four touchdowns in the win.
The Marauders and Dragons are in the bottom half of the Class 4A Sectional 21 bracket.
In the top half, Class 4A No. 8 Greenfield-Central (7-2) welcomes Beech Grove (4-5) to Clayton Myers Field for a quarterfinal tussle.
It wasn’t much of a tussle in Week 1 when the team’s met at Beech Grove High School. The Cougars opened their season with a 50-8 win, their highest scoring game of the season.
It’s the only time the teams have met.
The winner of the Mt. Vernon-New Palestine game will take on the victor of Friday’s matchup between Yorktown (6-3) and Richmond (1-8). The Greenfield-Central-Beech Grove winner will face the survivor of the quarterfinal matchup between New Castle (4-5) and Pendleton Heights (4-5).
In Class 2A Sectional 38, Eastern Hancock (5-4) and Centerville (8-1) meet for the second time this year.
In a Week 3 game at Eastern Hancock, the Royals scored a late touchdown to take their first lead, but the Bulldogs answered with a game-winning 70-yard touchdown pass for a 29-26 Centerville win.
Last season at Centerville, the Royals failed on a last-second two-point conversion and lost 22-21.
The previous three meetings were all in the first round of the sectional. In each case the road team won.
In 2021 at Eastern, Centerville won 49-12.
Eastern Hancock traveled to Centerville to open its 2016 postseason with a 27-0 win. It came back the next year and won again, 35-21.
The winner of Friday’s game will take on the winner of the Lapel (6-3) at Northeastern (9-0) contest next week.
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Sectional Quarterfinals
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
Class 4A Sectional 21
7 p.m. – Beech Grove (4-5) at Class 4A No. 8 Greenfield-Central (7-2)
7 p.m. – Mt. Vernon (4-5) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (8-0)
Class 2A Sectional 38 quarterfinal
7 p.m. – Eastern Hancock (5-4) at Centerville (8-1)
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Game Capsules
Beech Grove (4-5) at Class 4A No. 8 Greenfield-Central (7-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Rajshawn Mosley, 4-5 in 1st year at Beech Grove, 7-11 in 2nd year overall. Travis Nolting, 35-26 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 95-54 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: The Week 1 meeting, a 50-8 victory by Greenfield-Central at Beech Grove, is the only meeting between the two programs.
Sagarin ratings: Beech Grove 36.71, 212th overall, 48th in 4A. Greenfield-Central 73.52, 53rd overall, 11th in 4A.
Players to watch: Beech Grove – RB Jeremiah Lee, RB/FS Saul Hernandez, QB Bishop Moore, WR Lacy Stephens, DT Brayden Cline, MLB Franklin Weilbrenner. Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, FB Braylen Benavente, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, RB/DE Payton Foley, DE Zach Blevens, WR Boston Willard, DE Jake VanOsdol, SS Trenton Smith, LB Kody Smith, DB Zach Waterman, WR Landon Ford, WR/KR James Learey.
What to look for: A healthy Cougars team is a dangerous one. They got healthier after the loss to Yorktown and have won two straight, and look much more like the team that won the first five games of the season. They will look to clean up penalties and turnovers, a problem last week in a win over New Castle, if they are to make a tournament run. Beech Grove has only played two 4A teams all season, losing big to the Cougars in the opener and defeating Jennings County 46-10 in Week 2.
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Eastern Hancock (5-4) at Centerville (8-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Pat Echeverria, 41-29 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 73-85 in 14th year overall. Ryan Cole, 24-5 in 3rd year at Centerville, 24-13 in 4th year overall.
Recent history: The teams are 3-3 over the last 35 years and the Bulldogs hav won the last three. In Week 3, Centerville eeked out a 29-26 win in Charlottesville. Last season, Eastern Hancock lost 22-21 after a failed 2-point conversion with no time left on the clock.
Sagarin ratings: Eastern Hancock 51.21, 151st overall, 21st in 2A. Centerville, 56.95, 127th overall, 14th in 2A.
Players to watch: 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, DL Brennon Trueblood; 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.
What to look for: The game in Charlottesville in September had playoff-like vibes, so expect an actual playoff game between the two to have an electric atmosphere. An Edon-to-Eli Manship touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter gave the Royals their first lead of the game in the regular-season matchup, but the Bulldogs answered with the clincher in the final minute on a 70-yarder from Hollendonner to Boyd. A year ago, a missed two-point conversion was the difference. It should be a great matchup in one of the tougher sectionals in Class 2A.
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Mt. Vernon (4-5) at Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (8-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 31-15 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon. Kyle Ralph, 135-14 in 12th year at New Palestine.
Recent history: The Dragons jumped out early in a Sept. 13 meeting in Fortville and defeated the Marauders 56-8. In one of the state’s oldest rivalries, New Pal owns a 40-24-1 edge.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 66.04, 81st overall, 21st in 4A. New Palestine, 87.6 10th overall, 1st 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. 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, DB Connor Jacobia, K/P Jake Wells.
What to look for: The Dragons won big in the regular-season game. They lead 28-0 just halfway through the first quarter. The Marauders have improved, especially the play of sophomore QB Meyer, but they’ll have their work cut out for a New Palestine club considered one of the favorites to win it all in 4A. Josh Ranes has been a dominant runner and the Davis-to-McMahan connection has scored eight touchdowns. The Dragons defense has given up just six total points in the last four weeks.
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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;9;83;127;1376;.654;152.9;17;1;138.0
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;9;68;125;1013;.544;112.6;14;6;98.5
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;9;146;255;2018;.573;224.2;18;8;93.2
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;9;124;1401;11.3;155.7;19
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;8;183;1048;5.7;131.0;13
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;6;115;698;6.1;116.3;10
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;8;57;493;8.6;61.6;9
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;9;108;514;4.8;57.1;8
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;9;38;579;15.2;64.3;3
Austin McMahan, New Palestine;9;25;557;22.3;61.9;8
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;7;20;379;19.0;54.1;4
Kayden Ruble, Eastern Hancock;6;26;295;11.3;49.2;2
Boston Willard, Greenfield-Central;9;23;361;15.7;40.1;5
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;9;36;50;86;9.6;2.0
Eddie Mullins, Greenfield-Central;8;40;28;68;8.5;3.0
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;8;43;22;65;8.1;7.0
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;9;42;29;71;7.9;10.5
Kody Smith, Greenfield-Central;8;37;25;62;7.8;5.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;9;7.0;0.8
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;9;5.5;0.6
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;9;5.0;0.6
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;9;5.0;0.6
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;9;4.5;0.5
Brennon Trueblood, Eastern Hancock;9;4.5;0.5
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Connor Jacobia, New Palestine;8;3;0.4
Austin Kincer, Greenfield-Central;9;2;0.2
Eleven 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
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;8;266;33.3
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;7;223;31.9
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;2;59;29.5
RETURN YARDS
Name, School;K;P;T
Garrett Shaw, Eastern Hancock;387;1;388
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;155;0;155
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;68;77;145
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;9;19;0;0;0;114;12.7
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;6;10;4;0;0;64;10.7
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;8;13;6;0;0;84;10.5
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;8;13;0;0;0;78;9.8
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;9;10;8;0;6;74;8.2
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (FINAL)
6A
1. Lawrence North (10) 9-0 100
2. Westfield 8-1 83
3. Crown Point 9-0 80
4. Brownsburg 8-1 72
5. Warren Central 8-1 65
6. Indpls. Cathedral 5-3 44
7. Center Grove 5-4 25
7. Elkhart 8-1 25
9. Columbus North 8-1 18
10. Hamilton SE 6-3 14
Others receiving votes: Carroll (FW) 7-2 (10), Ben Davis 4-5 (6), Indpls Pike 5-4 (2), FW Snider 7-2 (1)
5A
1. Concord (8) 9-0 97
2. Lafayette Jeff (1) 9-0 90
3. Merrillville (1) 8-1 82
4. Decatur Central 6-2 63
5. Plainfield 8-1 58
6. Castle 7-2 40
7. East Central 6-3 35
8. Valparaiso 6-3 29
9. Bloomington North 7-2 28
10. Warsaw 6-3 17
Others receiving votes: Floyd Central 6-2 (6), Bloomington South 5-4 (5)
4A
1. New Palestine (10) 8-0 100
2. East Noble 8-1 84
3. Indpls. Chatard 6-2 75
4. Martinsville 8-1 66
5. Columbia City 8-1 63
6. Mishawaka 7-2 43
7. Brebeuf Jesuit 7-2 33
8. Greenfield-Central 7-2 22
9. Danville 8-1 21
10. Logansport 8-1 18
Others receiving votes: Leo 7-2 (9), Jasper 5-4 (8), Culver Academy 8-1 (5), Evansville Reitz 7-2 (4), New Prairie 6-3 (4), Hanover Central 7-2 (3), Indpls Roncalli 4-4 (2)
3A
1. Evansville Memorial (9) 9-0 99
2. Heritage Hills (1) 8-1 91
3. Gibson Southern 7-2 70
4. Mississinewa 9-0 65
5. Lawrenceburg 8-1 57
6. Evansville Mater Dei 7-2 43
7. Garrett 9-0 37
8. Cascade 9-0 30
9. Southridge 7-2 16
10. Maconaquah 9-0 12
Others receiving votes: FW Luers 5-4 (7), Heritage 8-1 (7), West Noble 8-1 (5), Guerin Catholic 4-5 (4), West Lafayette 6-3 (4), Griffith 8-1 (1)
2A
1. Lafayette CC (8) 8-0 97
2. Indpls. Lutheran (1) 8-1 90
3. Brownstown Central. (1) 9-0 75
4. Adams Central 8-1 71
5. South Vermillion 9-0 59
6. Linton-Stockton 7-2 37
6. Paoli 9-0 37
8. Western Boone 7-2 35
9. Monrovia 7-2 23
10. Heritage Christian 7-2 9
10. North Posey 7-2 9
Others receiving votes: Northeastern 9-0 (4), Andrean 5-4 (3), Wheeler 7-2 (1)
1A
1. North Judson (9) 9-0 95
2. Providence (1) 8-0 79
3. Carroll (Flora) 9-0 72
4. Madison-Grant 8-1 55
4. North Decatur 8-1 55
6. South Putnam 7-2 47
7. Springs Valley 8-1 38
8. Frontier 8-0 29
9. North Vermillion 8-1 19
10. Triton 6-3 13
Others receiving votes: Pioneer 6-3 (10), Tri 6-3 (10), North Miami 7-2 (8), Milan 5-4 (1)
