New Palestine High School

The New Palestine football team is set for its home opener Friday, as the Dragons face Yorktown in a matchup of 2-0 teams. YORKTOWN TIGERS (2-0, 0-0 HHC) at 5A 1/1 NEW PALESTINE DRAGONS (2-0, 0-0 HHC) Time: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 Location: Kelso Stadium, New Palestine Promotion: Cheer night Video: IHSAAtv.org/newpalestine ($) Audio: NewPalRadio.comSETTING THE SCENE The Dragons’ 58th varsity football season and 32nd year in the HHC continues with the home opener at Kelso Stadium. The Dragons are 44-13 all-time in home openers and are 12-0 in home openers under Kyle Ralph. They have won 15 of their last 16 home openers. The Dragons have won three straight HHC championships and 12 of the 15 titles since 2010. They are 81-2 in HHC games under Ralph’s tutelage. The Dragons lead the all-time series 25-5, including 22-4 in the regular season. NP has won 13 consecutive games in the series dating to 2013, including a 41-13 decision in the regular season and 41-7 in the sectional semifinal last season. Josh Ranes ran for 263 yards three touchdowns in the sectional game, and 177 yards and two scores in the regular season contest last year. This game features the two longest-tenured coaches in the HHC - Mike Wilhelm is in his 21st year with Yorktown, while Ralph is in his 13th at New Palestine. DRAGONS NOTES The Dragons enter conference play with a 2-0 mark, coming off a victory over Decatur Central in a matchup of defending state champions. They are 2-0 for the 11th time in Ralph’s 13-year tenure. Last week’s victory over Decatur Central was powered by special teams. NP’s 161 yards of total offense were the fewest since tallying the same total in the 2023 semistate against East Central. Yet, the Dragons won by three touchdowns, thanks to a 97-yard opening-kickoff return for a score by Caden Jacobia and a field goal block and 82-yard return by Cameron Rollyson on the first half’s final play. Mason Oglesby’s 67-yard touchdown catch from Jacob Davis was the Dragons’ third TD from scrimmage of 60-plus yards this season. The Red Rage produced three takeaways last week - Garrett Ranes and Connor Jacobia had interceptions, while Abe Walling pounced on a fumble caused by Oglesby. Garrett Ranes led the defense with 13 tackles and two TFLs. Rollyson had nine tackles and three TFL. Oglesby had eight tackles and a sack, while Walling also had eight tackles. The Dragons’ special teams have produced three TDs in two games this season. In addition to the two return scores last week, Oglesby blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone against Kokomo. Davis (Towson), Brownfield (Purdue), Walling (Army West Point) and Palmer (Indiana State) have committed to play at Div. I colleges next year. SCOUTING THE TIGERS Yorktown is 2-0 for the eighth consecutive season after scoring in the final minute last week to beat Muncie Central 15-12. Junior QB Sam Tokar was 13-18 for 135 yards and a touchdown. Ben Steele (1-49) and Cole Perdue (5-40) were the top receivers, while senior Nate Luzadder led the Tigers in rushing with 48 yards. Yorktown held Muncie Central to 257 total yards. Overall, Tokar is 23-of-30 for 333 yards and four touchdowns. Luzadder has 186 rushing yards - including 138 in the season-opening win over Anderson. Perdue had a 106-yard game against Anderson through the air. LOOKING AHEAD The Dragons return to Kelso Stadium for the Battle for the Boundary Rail - the 58th annual meeting with Mt. Vernon - continuing a three-game homestand. 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/graphic: Molly Dunn