New Palestine High School

The New Palestine football team returns to Kelso Stadium this week to host Mooresville in the regional. The Dragons are seeking the eighth regional championship in school history. Mooresville Pioneers (7-5, 3-4 Mid-State) at 4A #3/3 New Palestine Dragons (10-2, 7-0 HHC) Time: 7 p.m. Friday Location: Kelso Stadium Tickets; $10, cash at gate or https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=58098 Audio: NewPalRadio.com (coverage begins at 6 p.m.) Video: IHSAAtv.org SETTING THE SCENE For the 14th time in school history and the eighth time in 11 years, the Dragons are competing in the regional. They are seeking the program’s eighth regional championship and first since 2019, when the Dragons won their second consecutive state title in Class 5A. Mooresville is in its first regional since 2020, which the Pioneers won over Evansville Central. The Pioneers also won a regional championship in 1989. The Dragons and Pioneers have not played since 2004. Mooresville holds a 7-1 record in the series, which was played annually from 1997-2004. The Dragons’ win came in the first rmeeting, an 18-8 victory. The Dragons are 7-6 all-time in regional games. Under coach Kyle Ralph, they are 5-2, with the victories coming in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019. The Dragons also won regional championships in 1987 and 1990 under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Marvin Shepler. DRAGONS NOTES The Dragons’ defense has been dominant over the last six weeks. A touchdown against the second unit broke a 12-quarter shutout streak, but the Dragons outscored their opponents 140-6 in the sectional. The Red Rage has not allowed more than 175 yards of total offense in a game for six consecutive weeks. Michael Thacker and Caden Jacobia led the Dragons with seven tackles each last week. Thacker also had a sack. Last week, the Dragons forced three takeaways, including a 58-yard fumble recovery for a TD by Brady Armstrong that broke open their 42-6 victory. It was Armstrong’s second defensive TD this season - he also had a pick-6 against Pendleton Heights. Armstrong later intercepted a pass to set up Grayson Thomas’ second TD of the day. The Dragons’ defense scored more points (14) than it allowed (6) in the sectional. Thomas ran for 116 yards and two scores last week, becoming the second Dragon to eclipse the 6,000-yard mark for career rushing. He now has 6,020. His 2,122 yards this season are third on the school’s single-season rushing list. Thomas is second in Class 4A in rushing. He is also second in scoring with 26 touchdowns. Kyler Kropp had another big game against Mt. Vernon. After 182 receiving yards and four TDs - and five overall - in Week 4, Kropp hauled in three passes for 73 yards and two TDs last week. He also had 74 rushing yards and a touchdown, giving him 147 yards from scrimmage. He has tallied 100-plus yards from scrimmage in four consecutive games. This season, he has 1,243 yards and 19 touchdowns from scrimmage. He also has a touchdown on a kickoff return. With 1,327 career receiving yards and 80 receptions, Kropp is sixth on the school’s all-time list in both categories. He needs one yard and one catch to move into the top five. Thomas is third in Class 4A and leads the HHC in rushing. He also leads the HHC in scoring with 28 touchdowns. The Dragons are sixth in Class 4A in scoring offense (38.8) and seventh in win margin (22.8). SCOUTING THE PIONEERS Mooresville enters the regional on a four-game winning streak, including a thrilling come-from-behind 40-39 victory over Brebeuf last week. The Pioneers are led by senior QB Hogan Denny, who threw for 237 yards and ran for 239 last week. Denny has thrown for 2,103 yards and run for 1,160 this season. Denny’s top target is Levi Dorn, who has 746 receiving yards. Senior RB Landon Clements had 114 rushing yards against Brebeuf. Mooresville averages 30.8 ppg and allows 21.8 ppg. LOOKING AHEAD Tonight’s winner will face either No. 1 East Central or Evansville Memorial in next week’s semistate. If the Dragons win, they will be on the road next week. FOLLOW US All New Palestine games are broadcast free-to-listen at NewPalRadio.com. All home games are also video streamed at IHSAAtv.org on a pay-per-view basis. NPHS Athletics is on Facebook and Instagram (@NewPalestineDragons), Twitter (@NPHSDragons) and online (NewPalestineAthletics.com). Photo: Aaron Smith