New Palestine High School

The New Palestine football team hits the road for the first time this season to face Yorktown. 4A #1/1 New Palestine Dragons (2-0) at Yorktown Tigers (2-0) Time: 7 p.m. Friday Location: Tiger Stadium, Yorktown Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/u83mmfpRokY4hbMT8 Tickets; $6, https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=90755. Limited tickets available at the gate Audio: NewPalRadio.com (coverage begins at 6 p.m.) Note: Due to construction, parking is VERY limited at Yorktown. Fans are advised to plan to arrive early. SETTING THE SCENE The Dragons look to begin their conference title defense as they travel to Yorktown. NP has won back-to-back HHC titles and has won nine of the last 11 league championships, finishing second the other two years. They will travel to face a Yorktown squad that is 2-0 for the eighth consecutive season. The Dragons are ranked No. 1 in both polls for the third consecutive week. This is the 23rd consecutive poll week in which the Dragons are ranked. The Dragons are 74-2 in HHC games since 2013. This game matches the two longest-tenured coaches in the HHC. Mike Wilhelm has been at the Tigers’ helm since 2005, Kyle Ralph has led the Dragons since 2013. DRAGONS NOTES The Dragons did not post a result last week, as their game against Decatur Central was canceled after halftime due to lightning in the area with the contest tied 21-21. The Dragons outgained the Hawks 281-140 in the opening half and tallied 16 first downs. Josh Ranes ran for 130 yards and two scores on five carries, including an 83-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Jacob Davis was 6-of-10 passing for 104 yards, including two completions for 65 yards to Mason Oglesby and a 22-yard TD pass to Cameron Rollyson. The Dragons have used quick strikes in the second quarter, scoring 21 points in each second quarter so far this season. The explosive play has been a hallmark of the Dragons’ attack. Five of the Dragons’ eight TDs have been from 20 or more yards, including Ranes’ 83-yard run last week and a 99-yard pass from Davis to Austin McMahan in Week 1. The Red Rage has forced four turnovers this season. Each has led to a Dragons touchdown. Against Decatur Central, Brody Meyer recovered a muffed squib kick, leading to a 41-yard TD drive that ended with a 22-yard TD pass to Rollyson. Davis is 16-of-23 for 312 yards passing through six quarters of the season. The Dragons’ rushing attack gained 177 yards last week. In addition to Ranes’ 130 yards, Caden Jacobia had 43 yards on nine carries, while Max Wiegand tallied 39 yards on eight carries. The Dragons are plus-3 in turnover margin, with four takeaways and one giveaway. Senior Michael Thacker returns after posting 60 tackles, seven sacks and 19 tackles for loss in eight games last season. He has 252 career tackles, including 75 for loss, in three years as a starter. Josh Ranes and Rollyson tallied 11 tackles each. SCOUTING THE TIGERS Yorktown is again 2-0 after handling Muncie Central 30-14 in a game postponed to Saturday. Sophomore Sam Tokar has taken over the quarterbacking duties after Mason Moulton had handled the signals for the previous three years. Tokar was 12-16 for 80 yards and three TDs against Muncie Central, while senior Wilson Webster led a 142-yard ground attack with 92 yards. For the year, Tokar is 23-36 for 215 yards and four scores. Webster (24-108) leads the ground game, while senior Ephraim Daugherty (10-71) and Webster (3-65) are the top receivers. The Tigers have been opportunistic, with four defensive TDs in the first two games. Sophomore Kaden Crumes had a pick-six against Muncie Central. Yorktown has forced 10 turnovers - including seven interceptions - and committed none. Webster has two interceptions. Yorktown is in Class 4A for the first time in its history. The Tigers had been a 3A program from the inception of the all-in football tournament in 1985. LOOKING AHEAD The Dragons head to Fortville next week for the annual Boundary Rail game and the 65th meeting against Mt. Vernon since 1968. The three-game road swing continues Sept. 20 at Pendleton Heights. 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 credit: Aaron Smith