We've got an interesting week. After last week's sorting-out, half of the HHC is playing conference games -- the half includes two of the three Hancock County schools. The other half is stepping out of conference before diving back in next week.
We've already rehashed last week: Delta appears to be the creme de la creme of the HHC, while there's a mad dash for the rest of the league that will sort itself out over time. The most intriguing matchup of the week is the one we'll have as our Gridirion Digest Game of the Week. So, let's preview it.
TGD Hancock County Game of the Week
Pendleton Heights (1-1, 1-1) at New Palestine (1-1, 0-1)
Pregame 7 p.m., Kickoff 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
Hear it here at Audio Sports Online.
The coaches:
PH: John Broughton (34th year at PH, 183-151)
NP: Tim Able (1st year at NP, 1-1; 18th year overall, 96-93)
Last season: NP won 27-24 in overtime.
The series: It's been one of streaks. Since the HHC's formation in 1994, PH holds an 8-7 edge. NP won the first, then PH won eight straight from 1995-2002. NP has won six consecutive games since 2003.
Scouting the Arabians: PH is coming off an impressive 28-0 victory over Greenfield-Central, which was the Arabians' first shutout since the 2004 sectional. The Arabians are one play away from being 2-0 on the young season. With nine offensive starters back, they're scoring some points. QB Grant Hendershot threw for 1,560 yards last year and has completed 57% of his passes this season. Fullback Ravaughn White is a strong double-threat, as he is PH's leading rusher and receiver. He had 124 yards from scrimmage and 2 TDs against G-C, and had a 91-yard KOR for a touchdown against Yorktown. Jacob Jewell, last year's leading receiver, is part of a fairly experienced corps on that side of the ball. HB Tyler Larkin has been strong so far as a running threat. On defense, PH is running its traditional 4-4, with LBs Pat Butler & James Main the leading tacklers.
Scouting the Dragons: NP was on the other end of a shutout last week -- falling 23-0 to a loaded Delta squad. The Dragons did get through their brutal 1-2 step to start the year with a victory in Week 1 over Whiteland. And, like PH, the Dragons have a lot of familiar faces on both sides of the ball, including a resurgent Pat Feeney. Last week, the senior RB/S nabbed his second and third interceptions of the year. He had 44 yards from scrimmage last week after totaling 137 and 2 TDs against Whiteland. Like their foes this week, the Dragons will seek balance, although they tend to feature the run. Five different backs ran for 139 yards against Delta. The leading rusher is Brett Jackson, who had 60 yards last week and has 83 for the season. QB Cary Albrecht has run for 79 yards, and also has thrown for 143, in the two games. The Dragons' 3-4 defense is very aggressive, and has faced two outstanding backs in Whiteland's Drew Smyth and Delta's Teddy Dawson, both of whom have totaled 100+ yards in the first two weeks.
This game will likely be very pivotal in determining HHC position. Listen to Jim Ryan and myself for the broadcast at 7 p.m. Friday.
Other Hancock County games
Delta (2-0, 1-0) at Greenfield-Central (1-1, 0-1), 7:30 p.m.: G-C is renaming its field for Hall of Fame coach Clayton Myers, who led the Cougars to the Class 2A title in 1973 and a 2A runner-up in 1975. That alone will make it an interesting night, but it's a tough game for G-C to bounce back from a difficult loss. Delta may have one of its best teams in a long time this season, as QB Ozzie Mann continues a long line of strong Eagle QBs, and he has Teddy Dawson behind him and IU recruit Logan Young on the outside. That, and a defense that's allowed 6 points in 2 games. Delta's next win will be the 150th for head coach Grant Zgunda.
Mt. Vernon (2-0) at Connersville (1-1), 7 p.m.: The Marauders have never lost to Connersville, although they had to sweat out the final play of the game last season. Connersville is coming off a big 20-19 win over Franklin County last week, but MV was very impressive in shutting out Yorktown, with the offense clicking and an aggressive, blitzing Jason McCalley/Sam Balbach-led defense that bent, but never allowed Yorktown to score.
Eastern Hancock (0-2) at Indian Creek (2-0), 7 p.m.: These two teams have played each other for several years, but this will be the final one as a non-conference game, as EH will enter the Mid-Indiana Football Conference next season. IC is growing -- it bumped into 3A this season -- and also talented. The Braves had an impressive 20-7 victory over Greenwood last week, and have allowed only two touchdowns this season. EH's Steven Stunda has had a good year throwing the ball, but the Royals are hoping to clamp down after allowing 34 and 42 points in their first two weeks.
Other HHC games
Greensburg (0-2) at Rushville (1-1), 7 p.m.: Greensburg saw Jennings County break a 14-game losing streak last week, while Rushville fell to their rivals on the other end of SR 44. These two backyard teams like to go toe-to-toe, and QB Spencer Comer and the Lions are looking to build some momentum in their final non-conference game. Rushville has allowed 24 and 41 points in the two games so far. They have a common opponent in Shelbyville, which beat Greensburg and Rushville by similar scores.
Muncie South (2-0) at Yorktown (1-1), 7 p.m.: We saw Yorktown last week, and we'll see them again next week. The Tigers are led by a big line blocking for a big running back in Derek Kundenreich. Last week, Yorktown fell 32-0, but the Tigers were able to move the ball. They just didn't finish drives, and the Marauders hit some big plays to stretch the score. Kundenreich is averaging right at 100 yards per game, and WB Brendon Barnes is a quick athlete that provides a little bit of speed for the Tigers. South is off to a 2-0 start for the third straight year, but Yorktown has made it a 2-1 start the last two, and has won four straight meetings.
Franklin (1-1) at Shelbyville (2-0), 7:30 p.m.: Shelby has won this game handily the last two seasons. Brian Harbin has the Grizzly Cubs improved, but the Golden Bears were impressive in a 41-13 victory over Rushville last week. RB Patrick Ellis and QB Kevin Prosch both ran for 100+ yards in last week's win over Rushville, and the Bears are rolling up yards on the ground in bunches.
We'll see you Friday night for the Game of the Week!
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