Football Week 1

This week's games
Whiteland at New Palestine, 7:30 p.m. (broadcast: www.hancockcountysports.com)
Great matchup to start the year. Whiteland handed NP its only regular-season loss last season. Dragons have graduated Austin Cahoy, but are very deep at the skill positions, especially with QB Connor Simmons and wideouts Josh Penley and Brandon Collins. OLB Sam Wright was outstanding in last week's scrimmage, too. Whiteland has one of the state's top OL in Jake Meador and a multi-year starter in QB Tommy Riegel. Looking forward to seeing it and bringing it to you.
Mt. Vernon at Kokomo, 7 p.m. (broadcast: WIOU-1350 Kokomo)
The Doug Armstrong era begins at MV. The Marauders are deep, especially at running back, with Corey White, Anthony Burnett and Tyler Dicks. Armstrong will bring toughness to the defense led by Harrison Bova and Brandon Lockart. Kokomo has been a power in the NCC the last several years under coach Brett Colby, but this was a great game when these two teams met at Lucas Oil last year.
Greenfield-Central at New Castle, 7:30 p.m. (broadcast: WRGF-89.7 Greenfield/WMDH-1550 NC)
G-C was the most impressive team few talked about last year. Solid defense, a lot of young, talented skill players that are all back.QB Tyler Colclazier is solid, and he's got some weapons. Brant Boles-Lattimore and Matt Dickerson have speed to burn, and Derek Conley really solidified himself at running back in G-C's tournament run last season.
Triton Central at Eastern Hancock, 7 p.m.
Two coaches -- TC's Gabe Johnson and EH's Pat Echeverria -- who were in the 5A title game a few years back as defensive coaches. Now, they're making their head coaching debuts against each other. EH has a new look -- it'll be interesting to see how the Royals fare against a solid TC team.  
 

Elsewhere in the HHC
Connersville at Rushville, 7 p.m. (broadcast: WIFE-94.3/1580 Rushville/Connersville)
Connersville is getting better, but Rushville was playing some good football in the tournament last year and expect good things out of them. This will soon be a conference matchup -- but not in the HHC.

Jay County at Delta, 7 p.m.
Delta is Delta. Ranked No. 8 for a reason.

Shelbyville at Greensburg, 7 p.m. (broadcast WSVX-1520 Shelbyville, www.wsvx.com)
Pat Parks is one of the most underrated coaches in the state and his teams always get the most out of their talent. This is always a good matchup.
Muncie Central at Pendleton Heights, 7:30 p.m. (broadcast: WEEM-91.7 Pendleton)
Coming off its first sectional title in school history, PH has a few weapons back, but graduated its biggest one in RB Dezmon Nunn.
Muncie South at Yorktown, 7:30 p.m.
Yorktown took its lumps early last year, but had Hamilton Heights on the ropes in the sectional. They had a VERY young team and grew up a lot.