New Palestine High School

One goal is down for the New Palestine football team. But the Dragons hope it’s just the beginning. The Dragons had another dominant performance Friday in a 38-0 victory over Delta on Senior Night at Kelso Stadium, sending their 15 football seniors off with an unbeaten regular season. The victory gave the Dragons an 8-0 record - their 13th unbeaten regular season in school history and their 10th since 2011. It also clinched their 10th unbeaten conference championship in 12 years. Now, they turn their sights to the next goal - a fourth consecutive sectional title. They open the state tournament next Friday at home against Mt. Vernon. The Dragons outgained Delta (4-5, 2-5 HHC) 483-49 in the victory, the fourth consecutive game holding a team under 100 yards. Junior running back Josh Ranes set the tone, carrying much of the way on a 71-yard drive that led to Jacob Davis’ 5-yard touchdown keeper. Ranes ran for 235 yards in the contest, his second 200-yard game of the year. After the Dragons’ passing game struck twice - Davis hit Austin McMahan for a 51-yard TD and Cameron Rollyson for a 33-yarder - to put NP up 21-0, Ranes used two explosive plays to put the game away. With the Dragons at their own 17 with 1:06 left in the half, Ranes blew through a hole on the right side and broke free for a 75-yard run. On the next play, Davis scampered into the end zone for a score 21 seconds ahead of halftime. As a team, the Dragons ran for 346 yards. In the third quarter, a 42-yard run by Ranes set the Dragons up in Delta territory, where Jake Wells capped it with a school record 49-yard field goal. The Dragons’ passing game was also strong, as Davis completed 6-of-14 passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to his two first-half scores, he hit Eli Wasson for a 34-yard TD. While the Dragons’ offense has been potent, the defense has been impenetrable. They’ve posted three shutouts in the last four weeks, and held four consecutive opponents to fewer than 100 total yards. Delta was held to four first downs, nine rushing yards and 40 total yards. Only two plays went for more than 10 yards, and the Eagles never got closer than the Dragons’ 43. Delta punted seven times on 10 possessions and had one turnover - an interception by Desmond Palmer in the third quarter. Week 9: Dragons 38, Delta 0 Friday, Oct. 18 at Kelso Stadium Delta (4-5, 2-5) 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 New Palestine (8-0, 7-0) 14-14-10-0 -- 38 Scoring summary NP-Davis 5 run (Wells kick), 7:29 NP-McMahan 51 pass from Davis (Wells kick), :10 NP-Rollyson 33 pass from Davis (Wells kick), 8:51 NP-Davis 8 run (Wells kick), :21 NP-Wells 49 FG, 9:05 NP-Wasson 34 pass from Davis (Johnson kick), 1:23 Team stats First downs: D 4, NP 18 Rushes-yards: D 19-9, NP 42-347 Passing C-A-I: D 6-16-1, NP 8-16-0 Passing yards: D 40, NP 147 Total plays-yards: D 35-49, NP 58-494 Fumbles-lost: D 0-0, NP 0-0 Penalties-yards: D 5-46, NP 7-65 Punts-avg: D 7-43.2, NP 2-39.0 Time of possession: D 18:55, NP 29:05 Individual stats Delta Rushing: Taylor 2-15, Stroble 8-8, Keesling 1-3, Ritchie 1-1, Carpenter 4-(-5), Edwards 3-(-13) Passing Receiving: Bratton 4-21, Cline 1-19, Stroble 1-0 New Palestine Rushing: Jos.Ranes 19-235, Davis 9-44, Wiegand 5-36, Gardner 2-16, Wadman 5-14, Neal 1-1, Perkins 1-1 Passing: Davis 6-14-0-138, Gardner 2-2-0-9 Receiving: Rollyson 3-43, McMahan 1-51, Wasson 1-34, Jos.Ranes 1-10, Lumpkin 1-6, Dragoo 1-3