Mt. Vernon, New Palestine and Eastern Hancock have winning streaks on the line Friday night.
Greenfield-Central is trying to halt a two-game skid, its first since 2022.
After starting 0-4, Mt. Vernon has won three straight and is one win away from getting back to the .500 mark.
It’s been a combination of things for the Marauders during this stretch of wins. The schedule has not been as daunting, and the play has been much better.
During the winning streak, they have averaged 36 points per game and given up just 17 per contest, a big change from 20.3 on offense and 40.8 on defense in their first four matchups.
Sophomore quarterback Mason Meyer has had two 200-yard passing games during the stretch, has thrown for three scores and rushed for six more. Senior running back Joliba Brogan has been over 100 yards in each game and is averaging over 150 yards per game over the last three. He also scored four touchdowns.
The Marauders host Shelbyville Friday, a team it has had great success against in recent seasons. The Golden Bears have lost six straight.
New Palestine and Eastern Hancock hope to continuing winning streaks in their respective conferences.
If the Class 4A No. 1 Dragons defeat New Castle Friday, they will have won their 25th straight Hoosier Heritage Conference game and defended their HHC title. The Dragons are 79-2 in HHC games since 2013.
Eastern Hancock is the defending Mid-Eastern Conference champion. A win at home over Shenandoah Friday will make it back-to-back titles for the Royals.
Standout running back Mark Kube returned to action last week just in time for the Royals to record an impressive 52-14 MEC road win at Monroe Central. He rushed for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback Elijah Edon threw for 223 yards and two scores. Luke Manship had 10 catches for 140 yards and Eli Manship had six for 126 and was on the receiving end of both of Edon’s TD tosses.
The Royals went 3-0 in MEC play in 2023 and can do the same in 2024 with a win over the Raiders.
Eastern Hancock has won five straight MEC games. The last loss came against Shenandoah, in Charlottesville, in 2022.
Greenfield-Central’s two-game losing streak was delivered by the same teams – New Palestine and Yorktown – that beat them on consecutive Fridays in 2022.
The Cougars hope to have a healthier group this week and return to their winning ways when they take the trip to Muncie for an HHC game against Delta.
–
Week 8
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (6-0, 5-0) at New Castle (4-3, 3-2)
7 p.m. – Shelbyville (1-6, 0-5) at Mt. Vernon (3-4, 3-2)
7 p.m. – Shenandoah (4-3, 0-1) at Eastern Hancock (4-3, 2-0)
7:30 p.m. – Class 4A No. 10 Greenfield-Central (5-2, 3-2) at Delta (4-3, 2-3)
–
Game Capsules
Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (6-0, 5-0) at New Castle (4-3, 3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle Ralph, 133-14 in 12th year at New Palestine. S Kyle York, 30-51 in 8th year at New Castle
Recent history: New Palestine has never lost to New Castle (12-0). The Dragons beat the Trojans twice last season, in the regular season and in the first round of the sectional.
Sagarin ratings: New Palestine, 88.2 8th overall, 1st in 4A. New Castle, 56.93, 134th overall, 35th 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 Gavin Neal, RB/DB Caden Jacobia, K/P Jake Wells. 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.
What to look for: The Dragons have won 24 consecutive Hoosier Heritage Conference games and No. 25 would clinch the 2024 league title. They’e won handily in recent weeks though coach Ralph has not been overly pleased with the performance. Penalties have been too common for the coach’s liking, both on offense and defense. The Dragons will look to clean those things up Friday.
–
Shelbyville (1-6, 0-5) at Mt. Vernon (3-4, 3-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Scott Fitzgerald, 4-13 in 2nd year at Shelbyville. Vince Lidy, 30-14 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon has won the last eight meetings with Shelbyville. It’s last loss came in the 2017 regular season (35-28), but was avenged in the first round of the sectional (30-14).
Sagarin ratings: Shelbyville, 42.23, 203rd overall, 46th in 4A. Mt. Vernon 68.33, 72nd overall, 17th n 4A.
Players to watch: Shelbyville – RB/LB Donavon Martin, OL/LB Brayden Schultz, WR/RB/LB Grantland Fitzgerald, OL/LB Julian Eads, QB Tyler Gwinnup; 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.
What to look for: The Marauders are gaining momentum toward the postseason. After an 0-4 start, they have a chance to reach the .500 mark with a win over the Golden Bears Friday, a team they have had great success against in recent years. Meyer and Baer have developed a strong connection in the passing game and Brogan, Meyer, and Johnson have been productive ball-carriers too.
–
Shenandoah (4-3, 0-1) at Eastern Hancock (4-3, 2-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Jake Stilwell, 15-22 in 4th year at Shenandoah. Pat Echeverria, 40-28 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 72-84 in 14th year overall.
Recent history: Since 2018, the road team has won the regular-season meeting. Last season in Middletown, the Royals won 26-14.
Sagarin ratings: Shenandoah 40.3, 211th overall, 37th in 2A. Eastern Hancock, 57.4, 131st overall, 15th in 2A.
Players to watch: Shenandoah – QB/FS Jarrett Helman, MLB/TE Jacob Brown, WR/CB Max Seaburn, OLB Brayden Whaley, Cash Cowley, WR/CB Hayden Hubbard, WR Blayne Stevens; Eastern Hancock — QB Elijah Edon, LB Gabe Johnson, LB Ayden Trueblood, RB Mark Kube, WR Eli 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: The Royals welcomed the return last week of Kube. He responded with 13 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns. It was just in time for the Royals to grab their second Mid-Eastern Conference win in as many tries. They will be motivated to get that third conference win and secure back-to-back league titles against the rival Raiders.
–
Class 4A No. 10 Greenfield-Central (5-2, 3-2) at Delta (4-3, 2-3)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Travis Nolting, 33-26 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 93-54 in 14th year overall. Chris Overholt, 55-41 in 9th year at Delta.
Recent history: After going 0-28 against the Eagles, the Cougars have won the last three meetings, including a 28-9 win last year in Greenfield.
Sagarin ratings: Greenfield-Central 66.41, 86th overall, 22nd in 4A. Delta, 58.76, 124th overall, 25th in 3A.
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, FB Braylen Benavente, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, 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. 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 Cougars are on a rare two-game losing streak. The good news is they are hopeful some of the players that were out in last week’s loss to Yorktown – Hinton, Benavente and LB Eddie Mullins – will be back for this matchup against Delta. The Cougars have struggled on both sides of the ball the last two weeks, they want to get things figured out with postseason play just around the corner.
–
2024 Hancock County Football Statistical Leaders
PASSING
Name,School;G;C;A;YDS;PCT;Y/G;TD;INT;RAT
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;7;67;98;1100;.684;157.1;12;1;141.2
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;7;104;189;1567;.550;223.9;15;5;97.9
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;7;52;98;768;.531;109.7;12;5;95.1
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;7;51;101;694;.505;99.1;5;4;72.8
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;7;88;1029;11.7;147.0;16
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;7;162;865;5.3;123.6;9
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;4;73;492;6.7;123.0;6
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;7;92;450;4.9;64.3;7
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;7;74;329;4.4;47.0;5
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;3;17;294;17.3;98.0;5
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;7;30;498;16.6;71.1;3
Austin McMahan, New Palestine;7;22;486;22.1;69.4;6
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;6;17;352;20.7;58.7;2
Kayden Ruble, Eastern Hancock;5;18;220;12.2;44.0;2
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;7;22;41;63;9.0;2.0
Jonah Schroder, Mt. Vernon;5;23;21;44;8.8;3.0
Kody Smith, Greenfield-Central;6;28;24;52;8.7;4.0
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;7;38;19;57;8.1;6.0
Eddie Mullins, Greenfield-Central;6;27;16;43;7.2;2.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;7;7.0;1.0
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;7;4.5;0.6
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;7;4.0;0.6
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;7;4.0;0.6
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;7;3.0;0.4
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Connor Jacobia, New Palestine;6;3;0.5
Austin Kincer, Greenfield-Central;7;2;0.3
Eight players tied with 1 interception
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;13;472;36.3
Jake Wells, New Palestine;5;177;35.4
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;6;196;32.7
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;0;350
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;155;0;155
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;65;68;133
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;132;0;132
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;83;16;99
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;7;16;0;0;0;96;13.7
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;3;5;0;0;0;30;10.0
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;4;6;2;0;0;38;9.5
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;6;9;2;0;0;56;9.3
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;7;9;6;0;5;65;9.3
–
2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (WEEK 8)
6A
1. Brownsburg (9) 7-0 99
2. Lawrence North (1) 7-0 90
3. Westfield 6-1 78
4. Crown Point 7-0 66
5. Indpls. Cathedral 4-2 60
6. Warren Central 6-1 50
7. Center Grove 5-2 44
8. Hamilton SE 5-2 30
9. Elkhart 6-1 13
10. Columbus North 6-1 7
Others receiving votes: Carroll (Ft Wayne) 5-2 (5), Franklin Central 4-2 (4), Fishers 4-3 (2), Penn 5-2 (2)
5A
1. Concord (8) 7-0 98
2. Lafayette Jeff (1) 7-0 90
3. Merrillville (1) 6-1 82
4. Castle 6-1 62
5. Decatur Central 4-2 58
6. East Central 5-2 45
7. Plainfield 6-1 41
8. Valparaiso 4-3 31
9. Bloomington North 6-1 23
10. Warsaw 4-3 11
Others receiving votes: Chesterton 5-2 (6), Bloomington South 4-3 (4)
4A
1. New Palestine (10) 6-0 100
2. Martinsville 7-0 88
3. Indpls. Chatard 6-1 82
4. East Noble 6-1 58
5. Leo 6-1 51
6. Mishawaka 5-2 30
7. Brebeuf Jesuit 5-2 20
8. Columbia City 6-1 17
8. Hanover Central 6-1 17
10. Greenfield-Central 5-2 16
Others receiving votes: Logansport 6-1 (14), Danville 6-1 (13), Evansville Reitz 5-2 (11), Indpls. Roncalli 3-3 (11), Culver Academy 6-1 (5), FW Dwenger 3-4 (4), Mooresville 3-4 (4), Northview 6-1 (4), New Prairie 5-2 (2)
3A
1. Evansville Memorial (9) 7-0 99
2. Heritage Hills (1) 6-1 81
3. Evansville Mater Dei 6-1 66
4. Mississinewa 7-0 63
5. Gibson Southern 5-2 61
6. Lawrenceburg 6-1 54
7. FW Luers 5-2 42
8. Garrett 7-0 20
9. Batesville 5-2 12
10. Southridge 5-2 11
Others receiving votes: Cascade 7-0 (10), Guerin Catholic 3-4 (10), Maconaquah 7-0 (7), Griffith 7-0 (4), West Noble 6-1 (3), Heritage 6-1 (2), West Lafayette 4-3 (2), Calumet 4-3 (1), Knox 5-2 (1)
2A
1. Lafayette CC (9) 6-0 99
2. Indpls. Lutheran (1) 6-1 85
3. Brownstown Central 7-0 80
4. Adams Central 6-1 66
5. Western Boone 7-0 55
6. North Posey 6-1 49
7. Paoli 7-0 33
8. Heritage Christian 6-1 21
9. South Vermillion 7-0 20
10. Monrovia 5-2 17
Others receiving votes: Linton-Stockton 5-2 (8), Bluffton 6-1 (6), Boone Grove 4-3 (1)
1A
1. North Judson (9) 7-0 99
2. Providence (1) 6-0 86
3. Carroll (Flora) 7-0 82
4. North Decatur 6-1 66
5. Madison Grant 7-0 63
6. South Putnam 5-2 49
7. Springs Valley 6-1 40
8. Pioneer 6-1 31
9. Frontier 6-0 21
10. Triton 5-2 16
Others receiving votes: Milan 4-3 (4), North Vermillion 6-1 (3)
