Saturday redux

If you listened to today's New Palestine-Batesville broadcast, you could probably tell Jim Ryan, Tim Adams and I were really enjoying ourselves high atop Lucas Oil Stadium. First of all, it was a perfect day for football (and with the stadium roof open, it made it even better), and Lucas Oil is one of the best football venues around. Everyone should find a day to go there -- of course, for many of our readers, the HHC Classic on Oct. 10 will be a great opportunity.

Each team had one big star, and each star shone tonight. It just seemed that Batesville had just a few more weapons. The Bulldogs' Connor Kelley was very impressive, and coach Eric Heppner has reached way back in time to find the perfect scheme for Kelley. Batesville employed a single-wing set much of the day, allowing Kelley to take the snap deep in the backfield and run. The Bulldogs used a ton of misdirection to keep NP off-balance early, and by the time the Dragons could get untracked defensively, Batesville had scored four straight touchdowns and led 28-7 at halftime.

At 6-2, 215, Kelley is a big, strong QB. He's also a very good runner and throws a good ball -- which is why the Bulldogs are averaging more than 25 yards a pass completion this season. Kelley accounted for 235 yards of total offense today -- 145 through the air and 90 on the ground. Batesville's Tom Jeffers was also pretty impressive on the receiving end of four of those passes.

Meanwhile, the Dragons had their own star in wideout/running back/defensive back Pat Feeney, and he didn't disappoint, either. He just missed a 200-yard day from scrimmage -- totaling 122 yards receiving on six catches (a 20.3 average) and 72 yards on the ground for a total of 194. He had a TD, blocked a field goal and also a diving pass break-up on defense that prevented a Batesville touchdown. It was easy to tell NP was trying to get the ball in Feeney's hands as much as possible, but the Dragons were best when they were getting contributions from several players in the offense. NP got behind so far so fast, it had to go to the air in the second half. QB Cary Albrecht ended up 15-of-22 on the day, but he was 11-of-13 after halftime, spreading the ball out to six different receivers. The Dragons had their best aerial day of the year with 213 yards passing.

Batesville made a big statement today -- and has a chance to do so Friday night against East Central. The Bulldogs are big, senior-laden and have the perfect scheme for their personnel. They've been scoring points in bunches, and proved why today. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with in Class 3A -- they're in a sectional that includes the HHC's Rushville Lions & Yorktown Tigers.

NP is 2-2, but showed something today, especially in the passing game. The Dragons put together a great 14-play drive in the second half for a touchdown, and were able to hit on big plays.

We're looking forward to seeing the way things shake out in the HHC as the year goes on, now that conference play is the focus for most of the league. All 8 teams play league games next week, and we have a great rivalry in the GID Game of the Week: Pendleton Heights at Mt. Vernon. We'll join you at 7 p.m. for all of the action at www.crosscomsports.com.