New Palestine High School

The New Palestine football team hits the road for the first time in 2022, taking on the Yorktown Tigers to open HHC play. Game info 4A #1/1 New Palestine Dragons (2-0, 0-0 HHC) at Yorktown Tigers (2-0, 0-0 HHC) Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 Site: Tiger Stadium, Yorktown Tickets: $6, cash only, available at the gate Broadcast audio: NewPalRadio.com (pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m.) Broadcast video (no commentary): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAT-sYjgvcGe42C1gGq-PA Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/36F6XghV5yGoxYFz5 SETTING THE SCENE The Dragons open Hoosier Heritage Conference play with a trip to Yorktown in a matchup of 2-0 squads. New Palestine leads the all-time series 21-5, including a 20-4 mark since the Tigers joined the HHC in 1999. The Dragons have won nine straight meetings and 19 of the last 21. The Dragons are 2-0 for the ninth time in 10 years and the 10th time in the last 12. The Dragons have won nine straight HHC openers. The last loss in the first conference game came in 2013, a 43-13 defeat at Pendleton Heights. DRAGONS NOTES Junior RB Grayson Thomas had another stellar performance last week, running for 173 yards on just 12 carries. He had touchdown runs of 51, 44 and 24 yards, leading the Dragons to a 49-0 victory. Thomas now has 2,749 yards and 39 rushing touchdowns for his career. He tallied his 14th 100-yard game last week against the Hawks. He needs 251 yards to become the fifth back in school history to reach 3,000 rushing yards. Senior QB Danny Tippit continues to have a strong start to the year. Last week, he was 9-of-12 for 178 yards and touchdowns to Isaiah Thacker (10 yards) and Eli Hook (51 yards). It was Hook’s first career touchdown catch. Tippit has completed 18-of-28 (.642) for 338 yards and three touchdowns in his first two starts as a Dragon. Tippit spread the ball around to six different receivers last week. Senior WR Isaiah Thacker eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for his career against Westfield and added a TD catch last week. He now has 1,074 total receiving yards in three varsity seasons. Senior Blaine Nunnally leads the Dragons in receiving with 98 yards on six catches. He eclipsed the 500-yard receiving mark for his career last week with 34 yards on two catches. He now has 36 receptions for 517 yards. The Dragons have been efficient in their offensive possessions. In 15 drives started this year, they have scored 12 touchdowns. They were 6-for-7 against Decatur Central. Against Westfield, their last five possessions ended in scores. Last week’s shutout of Decatur Central saw the Red Rage allow just 62 rushing and 205 total yards. It was the 23rd shutout under coach Kyle Ralph and marked the 10th consecutive year with at least one shutout. It was the first time DC had been shut out since Oct. 13, 2006. Eian Roudebush had a 44-yard pick-six against Decatur Central. It was the Dragons’ first defensive score since Blaine Nunnally had a pick-six last year at Yorktown. Two Dragon seniors - Isaiah Thacker (Ball State) and Luke Burgess (Louisville) - have committed to play collegiately next season. SCOUTING THE TIGERS Yorktown is 2-0 for the fifth consecutive season, outscoring North Central Conference teams Muncie Central and Anderson by a combined score of 47-7. The Tigers are led offensively by junior RB Jalen Thomas (192 yards, 2 TD) and senior WR/DB Kolton Nanko (4 catches, 118 yards, TD, 136 return yards). LOOKING AHEAD The Dragons and Mt. Vernon meet for the 55th consecutive season next Friday in Fortville. The Dragons are looking to extend their 35-24-1 all-time record against the Marauders, including an 18-5 mark since 2004. 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 (NewPalestineDragons), Twitter (@NPHSDragons) and online (NewPalestineAthletics.com).