NEW PALESTINE — With the likes of well-known prep high school football standouts in Ian Moore, Michael Thacker and Grayson Thomas, New Palestine’s 2023 team boasts some of the top talent in the state.
Moore is considered by some as the top offensive lineman in the country. The 6-6, 311-pounder has already committed to Ohio State.
Thacker, a 6-0, 271-pound junior defensive lineman, may be the top in the state in his class. He’s already got offers from Tennessee and West Virginia and is coming off a season where he had 34.5 tackles for loss and 103 total tackles. He recorded 13 sacks.
Thomas, with 65 more rushing yards, will be second on the school’s all-time rushing list, trailing only former Mr. Football and the state’s all-time leading rusher, Charlie Spegal. A year ago, before an injury ended his postseason, Thomas rushed for 1,509 yards (137.2 per game) and 26 touchdowns. He’ll be a four-year starter.
Add on another outstanding lineman in sophomore Brock Brownfield (6-3, 249), senior back/receiver Kyler Kropp, who filled in admirably for Thomas when he was out, and another four-year starter in defensive back Mason Hiatt, the Dragons have some top talent.
They also have a lot of new players.
A lot.
Head coach Kyle Ralph said eight or nine sophomores could start in Friday’s opener, and he calls it one of the younger teams he’s had in now his 11th season.
“The top end is extremely good, it’s probably the best top end talent we’ve had, as far as looks in recruiting, and what those guys are going to be able to go on and do in college,” Ralph said. “All of those guys are going to go to school for free. Ian, Mike, Brock, Grayson —who got offered by Dayton — Kropp’s getting looks at some smaller mid-level schools. I think there are some other guys that are going to be on that radar this year that are juniors.”
Ralph admits, in football, you can’t just win with a couple of all-star players. It’s an 11-man game and he’ll need some youngsters to contribute for the Dragons to be successful.
“The thing we’ve always been great about here is, we’ve had good players — you don’t win without good players — but what’s beneath the obvious top end guys, where you bridge the gap on your team. What makes up that bridge is what’s really important. This year, it’s just a lot of young kids. They’re talented, but the important part is, how strong is that bridge going to be?
“Everyone sees Ian, and Mike, Grayson, and Brock, that’s glaring. They’re tremendous football players and they all stand out because what they look like when you see them. The big difference-maker in football, 11 guys have to play. Three can’t win you a game. It’s not basketball. It doesn’t work that way. We always have been able to win games because our other eight guys are a strong bridge in that gap.”
According to the experienced guys, those youngster are coming along just fine.
“We’ve got a lot of new guys in new positions,” Thacker, who is joining Moore on the offensive side too with Brownfield currently out, said. “It’s kind of rough being a young team and not being experienced enough, but as practices have gone on they’ve advanced in weeks. They’re busting their tails and that’s all we need. If you do that, it’ll take you a long way.”
Cameron Rollyson (receiver), Connor Jacobia (defensive back), Gavin Neal (quarterback), Caden Jacobia (running back/defensive back), Desmond Palmer (receiver/defensive back), Abe Walling (offensive line), Aiden Redmon (offensive line), Colin Whetsel (offensive line), Colton Spears (defensive back), Josh Ranes (running back/linebacker) and Garrett Ranes (linebacker) are all sophomores that could play important parts on this year’s team.
Austin McMahan (receiver/defensive back), Brady Armstrong (quarterback), Ty Mitchell (receiver), Alex Guhl (linebacker), Malachi Haines (running back/defensive line), John Ranes (offensive line/defensive line), Landon Seib (offensive line/defensive line) and Jake Wells (kicker/punter) are all juniors and seniors that saw some time last year, but will have increased roles this season.
“We’re young. We’re trying to put it all together and step up to the best of our abilities. That’s what makes us a good team. We’re young and eager to win,” Moore said.
New Palestine spent most of last season ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. Even with graduation of over 20 seniors, preseason polls have them ranked No. 2. The expectations are always high for a program that has gone 116-11 under Ralph, including three state titles.
“The challenge this year is —we’ve got great leadership, in my opinion, good top end talent — how strong can those high-end guys build that bridge with all the other players they need to support them to be able to win,” Ralph said. “That’s what’s going to be what defines our season. It’s young guys, younger than we’ve been in a long time.”
–
2023 New Palestine Football Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Aug. 18;at Westfield;7 p.m.
Aug. 25;at Decatur Central;7 p.m.
Sept. 1;vs. Yorktown;7 p.m.
Sept. 8;vs. Mt. Vernon;7 p.m.
Sept. 15;vs. Pendleton Heights;7 p.m.
Sept. 22;at Greenfield-Central;7 p.m.
Sept. 29;vs. Shelbyville;7 p.m.
Oct. 6;vs. New Castle;7 p.m.
Oct. 13;at Delta;7:30 p.m.
