Presale tickets for Friday's New Palestine vs. Pendleton Heights sectional
championship football game are now on sale in the NPHS athletic office for $6.
Buy early and avoid the long ticket lines. They will be on sale until 3 p.m.
every day through Friday.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday morning QB: It's Dragons vs. Arabians
We have the matchup many have been expecting: Undefeated and No. 1 New Palestine facing once-beaten and No. 5 Pendleton Heights for a sectional championship.
Their game back on Sept. 2 -- which the Dragons won 34-21 -- was essentially for the HHC title. But both teams have been playing well since, and both had strong victories last night.
Kickoff next Friday at Kelso Stadium is 7 p.m. Our HancockCountySports.com broadcast will commence at 6:30 with the pregame show.
Let's look back at last night's games:
New Palestine 27, Delta 14: Delta jumped ahead 14-0, but NP's Connor Simmons threw four touchdown passes -- three to Josh Penley and a thrilling 71-yard pass to Tyler Walden -- to lead the Dragons back. Simmons threw for 235 yards and Austin Monday had 76 rushing yards in the second half as the Dragons ground out the clock. Walden also had a big 33-yard catch to set up an 11-yard TD pass to Penley that helped draw the Dragons within one early in the second. NP's defense also forced two key turnovers and stopped Delta on downs four times in Dragon territory to hold the Eagles off the board for the final three quarters. A more full recap is available deeper in the blog. NP is now 11-0 -- its best start to a season in school history. Delta finishes 5-6.
Archived broadcast | Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Pendleton Heights 45, Greenfield-Central 14: G-C scored early as Derek Conley ran the opening kickoff deep into Arabian territory and set up a short TD by Matt Dickerson, but PH scored 45 consecutive points, building a 31-7 lead at hafltime to pull away at Arabian Stadium. PH's Mitch Patishall threw for 215 yards and two TDs. WR Austin Coffel had a 100-yard receiving game. Jon Furrow (125 yards) and Jacob Lyons (91 yards) both carried the ground game for PH, and both scored two touchdowns. PH is now 10-1 heading into Kelso Stadium next week. G-C finishes 6-5, its second straight winning season. It's the first time G-C has accomplished that feat in 36 years.
Daily Reporter | Anderson Herald-Bulletin
In Class 3A
Bellmont 22, Yorktown 7: A week after upsetting No. 2 Eastbrook, the Tigers fell against a solid Bellmont team that -- like Yorktown -- spent much of its season playing bigger schools. Yorktown's Joe Todd threw for 181 yards, but the Tigers had four turnovers and surrendered eight sacks in the defeat.
Muncie Star-Press | Decatur Daily Democrat
Looking ahead
Next week:
Pendleton Heights at New Palestine, 7 p.m.
Regional
The winner plays the Sectional 14 champion of either Greenwood (8-3) at Cathedral (8-3) in the regional. If New Palestine plays Cathedral, the game will be at Kelso Stadium. If Pendleton Heights wins, it will host the regional regardless of opponent.
Semistate
The Sectional 15 and 16 title games:
Franklin County (9-2) at Columbus East (10-1)
Jasper (7-3) at Evansville Central (6-5)
(The semistate host is the regional non-host or the "higher-numbered" regional if there is a tie -- e.g., it is likely that the PH/NP/Greenwood/Cathedral regional winner would be on the road in the semistate).
Their game back on Sept. 2 -- which the Dragons won 34-21 -- was essentially for the HHC title. But both teams have been playing well since, and both had strong victories last night.
Kickoff next Friday at Kelso Stadium is 7 p.m. Our HancockCountySports.com broadcast will commence at 6:30 with the pregame show.
Let's look back at last night's games:
New Palestine 27, Delta 14: Delta jumped ahead 14-0, but NP's Connor Simmons threw four touchdown passes -- three to Josh Penley and a thrilling 71-yard pass to Tyler Walden -- to lead the Dragons back. Simmons threw for 235 yards and Austin Monday had 76 rushing yards in the second half as the Dragons ground out the clock. Walden also had a big 33-yard catch to set up an 11-yard TD pass to Penley that helped draw the Dragons within one early in the second. NP's defense also forced two key turnovers and stopped Delta on downs four times in Dragon territory to hold the Eagles off the board for the final three quarters. A more full recap is available deeper in the blog. NP is now 11-0 -- its best start to a season in school history. Delta finishes 5-6.
Archived broadcast | Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Pendleton Heights 45, Greenfield-Central 14: G-C scored early as Derek Conley ran the opening kickoff deep into Arabian territory and set up a short TD by Matt Dickerson, but PH scored 45 consecutive points, building a 31-7 lead at hafltime to pull away at Arabian Stadium. PH's Mitch Patishall threw for 215 yards and two TDs. WR Austin Coffel had a 100-yard receiving game. Jon Furrow (125 yards) and Jacob Lyons (91 yards) both carried the ground game for PH, and both scored two touchdowns. PH is now 10-1 heading into Kelso Stadium next week. G-C finishes 6-5, its second straight winning season. It's the first time G-C has accomplished that feat in 36 years.
Daily Reporter | Anderson Herald-Bulletin
In Class 3A
Bellmont 22, Yorktown 7: A week after upsetting No. 2 Eastbrook, the Tigers fell against a solid Bellmont team that -- like Yorktown -- spent much of its season playing bigger schools. Yorktown's Joe Todd threw for 181 yards, but the Tigers had four turnovers and surrendered eight sacks in the defeat.
Muncie Star-Press | Decatur Daily Democrat
Looking ahead
Next week:
Pendleton Heights at New Palestine, 7 p.m.
Regional
The winner plays the Sectional 14 champion of either Greenwood (8-3) at Cathedral (8-3) in the regional. If New Palestine plays Cathedral, the game will be at Kelso Stadium. If Pendleton Heights wins, it will host the regional regardless of opponent.
Semistate
The Sectional 15 and 16 title games:
Franklin County (9-2) at Columbus East (10-1)
Jasper (7-3) at Evansville Central (6-5)
(The semistate host is the regional non-host or the "higher-numbered" regional if there is a tie -- e.g., it is likely that the PH/NP/Greenwood/Cathedral regional winner would be on the road in the semistate).
All-HHC soccer
A number of Hancock County athletes were named to the All-Hoosier Heritage Conference soccer teams this week. Greenfield-Central's Jared Manning and New Palestine's Dana Merrick were their respective coaches of the year. Manning led G-C to a co-championship with New Palestine on the boys side, and then led the Cougars to the regional final. In his 26th and final year as a head coach, Merrick led the New Palestine girls to a 17-1-3 record, a sixth consecutive sectional title and an undefeated, unscored-upon run through the conference.
G-C and NP each had five boys on the team, while MV had three. G-C and MV had four girls, NP had six. Here's the full All-HHC list:
Boys
Coach of the Year: Jared Manning, G-C
Greenfield-Central: Collin Kleckner, Adam Koers, Brent Poling, Zach Shoufler, Jeremiah Spencer
Mt. Vernon: Eric Ahonen, Luke Fimreite, Mouhamed Konate
New Palestine: Bryson Basaran, John Ernster, Ty Fidler, Wes Fox, Daniel Wright
Pendleton Heights: Clayton Organ, Josiah Furrow, Nathan Petry
Rushville: Clayton Foster, Lucas Beavers
Shelbyville: Mitch Brown, Andres Sandoval
Yorktown: Spencer Devoe, Nour Elsheikh, Larry Green
Girls
Coach of the Year: Dana Merrick, NP
Delta: Kasin Spay
Greenfield-Central: Emily Keors, Emma Morgan, Katie Peters, Taylor Titus
Mt. Vernon: Suzy DeWael, Courtney Hannemann, Holly Owens, Kristina Voltz
New Palestine: Jordan Barton, Holly Hilton, Lauren Joray, Lauren Kehrt, Lindsay Meyer, Kalli Shepler-Tucker
Pendleton Heights: Katie Hughes, Erica Manchess, Jamie McCrocklin, Meghan Wiles
Rushville: Mariah Fenimore, Nici Martin
Shelbyville: Jordan Tinker
Yorktown: Abby Mansker
Friday, October 28, 2011
It's Dragons vs. Arabians for the title
Coming into the sectional, most observers -- including us -- would've forecast a matchup between New Palestine and Pendleton Heights for the championship.
That's exactly what will be happening next Friday night.
#5 Pendleton Heights (10-1) will visit #1 New Palestine (11-0) for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Our HancockCountySports.com broadcast will begin at 6:30.
You can listen to our archived broadcast of New Palestine's 27-14 victory over Delta in a great matchup on the Eagles' turf. Delta jumped ahead early 14-0 when Ozzie Mann orchestrated a 62-yard drive after the opening kickoff, which Landon Lambert capped off with a 4-yard run. After a fumble two plays later, Mann carried in from 5 yards out after a short drive, giving Delta a 14-0 lead with four minutes left in the opening quarter.
Things didn't seem to be going well for the Dragons -- trailing by two scores, they faced third-and-15 from their own 29, and QB Connor Simmons was under heavy duress. He managed to escape a sack, roll out to the left and find sophomore Tyler Walden wide open at the 50. Walden caught the ball and dashed all the way across the field -- picking up blockers along the way -- before spinning across the pylon and into the end zone.
That play got the Dragons going. On the next drive, Simmons hit Walden for a 33-yard gain to the 11, which set up a TD pass to Josh Penley that cut the Delta lead to one after a blocked extra point early in the second.
Simmons-to-Penley would be a familiar refrain. They connected three times for 55 yards -- and all three were for TDs. The second came after a fumble recovered at midfield with 1:15 left in the half. The Dragons needed just 52 seconds for Simmons and Penley to connect from 20 yards out to make it a 20-14 game. NP scored on the first drive of the second half -- using Austin Monday to set up a 24-yard TD pass to Penley.
Simmons completed 12-of-23 for 235 yards and four TDs. He broke several school records tonight -- becoming the first Dragon to reach 3,000 passing yards for his career (he's now at 3,014) -- and passed Mark Shepler's 24-year-old career TD pass record of 35, with his 38th TD pass tonight.
Monday had a big second half -- he finished with 86 yards on 19 carries -- including 76 yards on 15 touches in the second half. The Dragons came out wanting to establish the running game in the second half and shortened the contest -- each team had only three possessions in the half, and the Dragons' defense stopped Delta in NP territory three straight times to preserve a 27-14 lead and turn it into a 27-14 victory.
Meanwhile, Pendleton Heights got there with a convincing 45-14 victory over Greenfield-Central. The Cougars drew first blood -- thanks to a long return by Derek Conley that set up an early TD -- but PH then scored 45 straight points. Mitch Patishall threw for 200+ yards, Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow had big rushing games again.
So, NP is 11-0. PH is 10-1 -- with the only loss to the Dragons on the same field where they'll play next week. The only loss between either team is NP's 34-21 victory over PH all the way back in Week 3. PH hasn't scored less than 30 points since.
G-C's season completes with a 6-5 record -- the Cougars' second straight winning season. The last time G-C achieved that feat was 1973-75 -- an era that included two state runner-up finishes.
Also in the HHC
We're down to two conference teams, as Yorktown fell to Bellmont tonight on the road 22-7, ending the Tigers' season at 6-5.
That's exactly what will be happening next Friday night.
#5 Pendleton Heights (10-1) will visit #1 New Palestine (11-0) for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Our HancockCountySports.com broadcast will begin at 6:30.
You can listen to our archived broadcast of New Palestine's 27-14 victory over Delta in a great matchup on the Eagles' turf. Delta jumped ahead early 14-0 when Ozzie Mann orchestrated a 62-yard drive after the opening kickoff, which Landon Lambert capped off with a 4-yard run. After a fumble two plays later, Mann carried in from 5 yards out after a short drive, giving Delta a 14-0 lead with four minutes left in the opening quarter.
Things didn't seem to be going well for the Dragons -- trailing by two scores, they faced third-and-15 from their own 29, and QB Connor Simmons was under heavy duress. He managed to escape a sack, roll out to the left and find sophomore Tyler Walden wide open at the 50. Walden caught the ball and dashed all the way across the field -- picking up blockers along the way -- before spinning across the pylon and into the end zone.
That play got the Dragons going. On the next drive, Simmons hit Walden for a 33-yard gain to the 11, which set up a TD pass to Josh Penley that cut the Delta lead to one after a blocked extra point early in the second.
Simmons-to-Penley would be a familiar refrain. They connected three times for 55 yards -- and all three were for TDs. The second came after a fumble recovered at midfield with 1:15 left in the half. The Dragons needed just 52 seconds for Simmons and Penley to connect from 20 yards out to make it a 20-14 game. NP scored on the first drive of the second half -- using Austin Monday to set up a 24-yard TD pass to Penley.
Simmons completed 12-of-23 for 235 yards and four TDs. He broke several school records tonight -- becoming the first Dragon to reach 3,000 passing yards for his career (he's now at 3,014) -- and passed Mark Shepler's 24-year-old career TD pass record of 35, with his 38th TD pass tonight.
Monday had a big second half -- he finished with 86 yards on 19 carries -- including 76 yards on 15 touches in the second half. The Dragons came out wanting to establish the running game in the second half and shortened the contest -- each team had only three possessions in the half, and the Dragons' defense stopped Delta in NP territory three straight times to preserve a 27-14 lead and turn it into a 27-14 victory.
Meanwhile, Pendleton Heights got there with a convincing 45-14 victory over Greenfield-Central. The Cougars drew first blood -- thanks to a long return by Derek Conley that set up an early TD -- but PH then scored 45 straight points. Mitch Patishall threw for 200+ yards, Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow had big rushing games again.
So, NP is 11-0. PH is 10-1 -- with the only loss to the Dragons on the same field where they'll play next week. The only loss between either team is NP's 34-21 victory over PH all the way back in Week 3. PH hasn't scored less than 30 points since.
G-C's season completes with a 6-5 record -- the Cougars' second straight winning season. The last time G-C achieved that feat was 1973-75 -- an era that included two state runner-up finishes.
Also in the HHC
We're down to two conference teams, as Yorktown fell to Bellmont tonight on the road 22-7, ending the Tigers' season at 6-5.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Gameday: New Palestine vs. Delta & more
It's Game Night. Join the HancockCountySports.com crew for the 2011 sectional semifinal game between New Palestine and Delta. The teams are a combined 16-2 on the field against everyone else (take out the 1-1 record against each other :) ). With the exception of Delta's two league losses this year and games against each other, they've run the table in the HHC for the last three years.
Join Andrew & Mike LIVE! at HancockCountySports.com beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday night. We'll also be keeping you updated on all of the other games going on, including the two other HHC games.
#1 New Palestine (10-0) at Delta (7-3 on the field) (broadcast: www.hancockcountysports.com): This is a GREAT matchup. New Palestine has played really well offensively this season, but the defense has posted back-to-back shutouts. Delta has won four straight thanks to a strong defense and a balanced offense. Tremendous QB matchup between Connor Simmons and Ozzie Mann, and their stable of receivers -- Penley and Collins for NP vs. Greenberg, Robinson and Lambert for Delta. Matt Siergiej's return gives the Dragons a lot of balance in the running game, and they've relied on it a lot the last couple of weeks, while Delta is spreading it out with a couple of freshmen getting a lot of totes. Great coaching matchup between Tim Able & Grant Zgunda and their veteran, experienced assistant coaching staffs. This is going to be a dynamite football game -- it was the first time they played, when NP won 31-20 but had to rally in the fourth quarter to win in Week 4.
Greenfield-Central (6-4) at #5 Pendleton Heights (9-1) (broadcast: WRGF-89.7/WEEM-91.7): PH won 34-3 two weeks ago, but that's an indication of how solid of a football team the defending sectional champs have right now. Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow gobble up yards on the ground -- both ran for 130+ last week vs. a good Mt. Vernon defense -- and Clint Nicholson is a pretty solid third option. WR Austin Coffel had a huge game vs. MV, but PH's real strength is its defense, which hasn't allowed a touchdown in 3 weeks. That's also G-C's strength -- an athletic secondary led by Matt Dickerson and Derek Conley that complements a heavy blitzing linebacker corps that will try to disrupt PH. G-C has 11 return touchdowns this year -- including three last week against Muncie South -- and special teams could be the X factor again in this one.
Potential sectional final matchups:
New Palestine: home vs. Pendleton Heights; at Greenfield-Central
Delta: on the road regardless of foe
Greenfield-Central: at home regardless of foe
Pendleton Heights: at New Palestine, home vs. Delta
Yorktown (6-4) at Bellmont (4-6) (broadcast: WellsCountyVoice.com or WZBD-Bellmont): The Tigers shocked No. 2 Eastbrook last week with a big game from Brendon Barnes, the speedy back who has been a sleeping giant throughout the HHC. Yorktown's record was deceiving because seven of its nine opponents in the regular season were Class 4A teams, but this team has a lot of talent. The winner gets either Mississinewa or Western next week. Expect the Tigers to be a favorite either way. If the Tigers win, they would be home vs. Western next week or at Mississinewa. Both of those teams enter the semifinal matchup 8-2.
Greenfield-Central (6-4) at #5 Pendleton Heights (9-1) (broadcast: WRGF-89.7/WEEM-91.7): PH won 34-3 two weeks ago, but that's an indication of how solid of a football team the defending sectional champs have right now. Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow gobble up yards on the ground -- both ran for 130+ last week vs. a good Mt. Vernon defense -- and Clint Nicholson is a pretty solid third option. WR Austin Coffel had a huge game vs. MV, but PH's real strength is its defense, which hasn't allowed a touchdown in 3 weeks. That's also G-C's strength -- an athletic secondary led by Matt Dickerson and Derek Conley that complements a heavy blitzing linebacker corps that will try to disrupt PH. G-C has 11 return touchdowns this year -- including three last week against Muncie South -- and special teams could be the X factor again in this one.
Potential sectional final matchups:
New Palestine: home vs. Pendleton Heights; at Greenfield-Central
Delta: on the road regardless of foe
Greenfield-Central: at home regardless of foe
Pendleton Heights: at New Palestine, home vs. Delta
Yorktown (6-4) at Bellmont (4-6) (broadcast: WellsCountyVoice.com or WZBD-Bellmont): The Tigers shocked No. 2 Eastbrook last week with a big game from Brendon Barnes, the speedy back who has been a sleeping giant throughout the HHC. Yorktown's record was deceiving because seven of its nine opponents in the regular season were Class 4A teams, but this team has a lot of talent. The winner gets either Mississinewa or Western next week. Expect the Tigers to be a favorite either way. If the Tigers win, they would be home vs. Western next week or at Mississinewa. Both of those teams enter the semifinal matchup 8-2.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Soccer honors
Several local soccer players have been honored by the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association.
The All-District choices will play in the ISCA district games Nov. 19-20.
The All-District 5 first team had two players from each county school. Goalkeeper Collin Kleckner and defender Jeremiah Spencer represented conference and sectional champion Greenfield-Central; back Luke Fimreite and Eric Ahonen represnted Mt. Vernon, while midfielders Bryson Basaran and John Ernster represented conference co-champion New Palestine. NP forward Wes Fox was named to the second team.
New Palestine had three girls named to the all-district first team -- goalkeeper Holly Hilton, forward Lauren Joray and midfielder Kalli Shepler-Tucker -- as they helped lead the Dragons to a 17-1-3 record, a sectional championship and a conference title. In addition, NP's Jordan Barton and Lindsay Meyer were second-team players, joining G-C's Katie Peters and MV's Kristina Voltz.
The All-District choices will play in the ISCA district games Nov. 19-20.
The All-District 5 first team had two players from each county school. Goalkeeper Collin Kleckner and defender Jeremiah Spencer represented conference and sectional champion Greenfield-Central; back Luke Fimreite and Eric Ahonen represnted Mt. Vernon, while midfielders Bryson Basaran and John Ernster represented conference co-champion New Palestine. NP forward Wes Fox was named to the second team.
New Palestine had three girls named to the all-district first team -- goalkeeper Holly Hilton, forward Lauren Joray and midfielder Kalli Shepler-Tucker -- as they helped lead the Dragons to a 17-1-3 record, a sectional championship and a conference title. In addition, NP's Jordan Barton and Lindsay Meyer were second-team players, joining G-C's Katie Peters and MV's Kristina Voltz.
Saturday wrap: CC semistates & volleyball sectionals
Cross country
Greenfield-Central's boys finished 17th at the Carmel cross country semistate today. Tyler Wilcher led the Cougars (58th, 16:50). Garrett Benedict was 99th (17:14). Christopher Tatom (110th, 17:42), Syrus Fletcher (114th, 17:43) and Jared McQueen (140th, 18:31) all scored for the Cougars.
Seth Eagleson of New Palestine ran as an individual and finished 53rd.
New Palestine's girls finished 19th at the semistate. The Dragons were led by Natalie Shields (96th, 21:12), Kayla Medaris (110th, 21:46), Caroline Voelz (116th, 22:04); Emily Trimpe (120th, 22:22) and Izzy Fleetwood (128th, 22:57).
Volleyball
The volleyball season ended for the local schools this morning, as the final two teams remaining in action fell in sectional semifinal matches.
Mt. Vernon had a strong rally in the first game, but fell to Chatard 26-24, 25-22, 25-21. The Marauder season finishes with a 23-10 record.
Eastern Hancock fell to Cambridge City Lincoln in three games in the semifinals of the 2A Knightstown sectional.
Mt. Vernon had a strong rally in the first game, but fell to Chatard 26-24, 25-22, 25-21. The Marauder season finishes with a 23-10 record.
Eastern Hancock fell to Cambridge City Lincoln in three games in the semifinals of the 2A Knightstown sectional.
Saturday morning QB: The HHC Tourney
Sectional 13 has essentially become the Hoosier Heritage Conference tournament, as the top four teams in the league standings are all playing each other -- New Palestine vs. Delta; Greenfield-Central vs. Pendleton Heights. Yorktown pulled a major upset on Friday night in the HHC. Eastern Hancock put together a strong effort before falling to Cambridge City Lincoln. Let's take a look back to last night and a look ahead in our SMQB.
First off, next week:
We will be broadcasting New Palestine at Delta. Join Andrew Smith, Mike Jackson and Chris Lambert for the call at 6:30 p.m. from Delta. As always, go to HancockCountySports.com or click on the broadcast links here. NP is 10-0, Delta is 5-5, but 7-3 on the field. NP won the regular-season meeting 31-20 in Week 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
In the other half of the sectional semifinal, Greenfield-Central (6-4) will visit Pendleton Heights (9-1). PH won the regular-season finale 34-3.
4A Sectional 13 (games listed in order of the bracket)
New Palestine 62, Muncie Central 0: Not much more can be said about this one. New Palestine remains unbeaten at 10-0 with a big victory, as the Dragons score 34 points in the first quarter to knock off the Bearcats 62-0. Connor Simmons completed 11-of-17 passes, five for touchdowns. NP's defense produced its third shutout of the year -- its second in a row -- and the Dragons pushed their home winning streak to 16. Josh Penley caught two TD passes. Brandon Wiggins, Chris Walden and Brandon Collins were at the receiving end of others. Matt Siergiej scored twice, Austin Monday and Nolan Hill had TD runs. Muncie Central was held to less than 100 total yards. Muncie Central finished 2-8. The NP victory also clinched an 8-0 record for the HHC against North Central Conference teams this year.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Delta 62, Frankfort 0: Delta and New Palestine posted identical scores on the evening. Delta built a 49-0 halftime lead. At one point, the Eagles (5-5, 7-3 on the field) scored on five consecutive offensive plays. RB Landon Lambert had four TDs and a long interception return in the game. Delta posted its most lopsided victory in 12 years. Frankfort finished 0-10.
Muncie Star-Press
Greenfield-Central 48, Muncie South 22: G-C's special teams were spectacular in the convincing victory. Matt Dickerson blocked a punt and ran it in for a TD, and had both interception and kickoff returns for TDs in the Cougar victory, which gives G-C a 6-4 record and clinches back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the Cougars' state runner-up team in 1975.Muncie South finished 3-7.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Pendleton Heights 31, Mt. Vernon 7: A strong effort by the Arabians up front allowed them to pull away from MV early. PH scored three TDs and a field goal on its first four drives augmented by big plays. Jacob Lyons' 76-yard TD on the Arabians' second offensive play made it a 7-0. Jon Furrow's 48-yard run on the third offensive play set up Lyons' 1-yard TD run. Clint Nicholson's 44-yard run set up a 19-yard TD pass to Austin Coffel, who had a nice receiving game. Lyons and Furrow both ran for more than 130 yards, Nicholson topped 70, Patishall threw for 117 and the Arabians were strong. MV's highlight was an 87-yard kickoff return by Tyler Dicks, and later, an interception by Dicks to prevent a PH score. Anthony Burnett had 85 yards rushing for the Marauders, who finish the year 5-5 in coach Doug Armstrong's first season. With a lot of their key players back, MV is expecting a big year next year. PH, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, is 9-1 heading into next week's home game against Greenfield-Central.
Daily Reporter | Anderson Herald-Bulletin | Broadcast archive
Class A, Sectional 37
Cambridge City Lincoln 42, Eastern Hancock 21: EH had tied up the Golden Eagles 14-14 at halftime, but saw a very strong CCL team pull away in the second half. Spencer Gilbert had a big night catching the football, with 135 receiving yards, including a 55-yard TD pass. Logan Gilbert also threw a 59-yard TD pass to Billy Stapleton in the third quarter, but Cambridge City scored twice in the fourth quarter to pull away. Logan Gilbert threw for 232 yards on the day -- 133 to his brother Spencer. But CCL's attack was balanced, gaining more than 200 yards in the air and boasting a 100-yard rusher. EH finishes 3-7, but has made some big strides this season. CCL is now 8-2 and advances to play Northeastern next week.
Daily Reporter | Richmond Palladium-Item
Elsewhere in the HHC
Class 3A, Sectional 19
Yorktown 38, Eastbrook 24: Esatbrook came in undefeated on the field and ranked No. 2 in Class 3A. No more. Yorktown -- battle-tested by a schedule that saw them play seven of their nine games against Class 4A schools -- posted an impressive road victory against the highly-regarded Panthers. Yorktown rallied from a 21-0 first-quarter deficit to win the game. Brendon Barnes had TD runs of 63 and 60 yards in the second half to give the Tigers a 25-24 lead. He also had an 84-yard TD catch to ice it late. QB Joe Todd also threw a short TD to Jason Brown on fourth down to make it 31-24. Barnes had 264 rushing yards on the night and more than 300 from scrimmage. The Tigers (6-4) will face Blackford next week.
Muncie Star-Press
Class 3A, Sectional 22
Brown County 15, Rushville 8: The Lions held an 8-7 lead much of the night, but saw BC rally in the fourth quarter with a late TD to win it. Rushville finishes 2-8.
Class 4A, Sectional 15
Columbus East 49, Shelbyville 21: While Gunnar Kiel didn't play, it didn't slow the Olympians in the evening. Sophomore Alex Cowan threw for two TDs and running back Andrew Wilson had two long touchdown runs for the Olympians, who are ranked No. 3 in Class 4A. Shelbyville finishes the year 1-9.
Shelbyville News
First off, next week:
We will be broadcasting New Palestine at Delta. Join Andrew Smith, Mike Jackson and Chris Lambert for the call at 6:30 p.m. from Delta. As always, go to HancockCountySports.com or click on the broadcast links here. NP is 10-0, Delta is 5-5, but 7-3 on the field. NP won the regular-season meeting 31-20 in Week 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
In the other half of the sectional semifinal, Greenfield-Central (6-4) will visit Pendleton Heights (9-1). PH won the regular-season finale 34-3.
4A Sectional 13 (games listed in order of the bracket)
New Palestine 62, Muncie Central 0: Not much more can be said about this one. New Palestine remains unbeaten at 10-0 with a big victory, as the Dragons score 34 points in the first quarter to knock off the Bearcats 62-0. Connor Simmons completed 11-of-17 passes, five for touchdowns. NP's defense produced its third shutout of the year -- its second in a row -- and the Dragons pushed their home winning streak to 16. Josh Penley caught two TD passes. Brandon Wiggins, Chris Walden and Brandon Collins were at the receiving end of others. Matt Siergiej scored twice, Austin Monday and Nolan Hill had TD runs. Muncie Central was held to less than 100 total yards. Muncie Central finished 2-8. The NP victory also clinched an 8-0 record for the HHC against North Central Conference teams this year.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Delta 62, Frankfort 0: Delta and New Palestine posted identical scores on the evening. Delta built a 49-0 halftime lead. At one point, the Eagles (5-5, 7-3 on the field) scored on five consecutive offensive plays. RB Landon Lambert had four TDs and a long interception return in the game. Delta posted its most lopsided victory in 12 years. Frankfort finished 0-10.
Muncie Star-Press
Greenfield-Central 48, Muncie South 22: G-C's special teams were spectacular in the convincing victory. Matt Dickerson blocked a punt and ran it in for a TD, and had both interception and kickoff returns for TDs in the Cougar victory, which gives G-C a 6-4 record and clinches back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the Cougars' state runner-up team in 1975.Muncie South finished 3-7.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Pendleton Heights 31, Mt. Vernon 7: A strong effort by the Arabians up front allowed them to pull away from MV early. PH scored three TDs and a field goal on its first four drives augmented by big plays. Jacob Lyons' 76-yard TD on the Arabians' second offensive play made it a 7-0. Jon Furrow's 48-yard run on the third offensive play set up Lyons' 1-yard TD run. Clint Nicholson's 44-yard run set up a 19-yard TD pass to Austin Coffel, who had a nice receiving game. Lyons and Furrow both ran for more than 130 yards, Nicholson topped 70, Patishall threw for 117 and the Arabians were strong. MV's highlight was an 87-yard kickoff return by Tyler Dicks, and later, an interception by Dicks to prevent a PH score. Anthony Burnett had 85 yards rushing for the Marauders, who finish the year 5-5 in coach Doug Armstrong's first season. With a lot of their key players back, MV is expecting a big year next year. PH, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, is 9-1 heading into next week's home game against Greenfield-Central.
Daily Reporter | Anderson Herald-Bulletin | Broadcast archive
Class A, Sectional 37
Cambridge City Lincoln 42, Eastern Hancock 21: EH had tied up the Golden Eagles 14-14 at halftime, but saw a very strong CCL team pull away in the second half. Spencer Gilbert had a big night catching the football, with 135 receiving yards, including a 55-yard TD pass. Logan Gilbert also threw a 59-yard TD pass to Billy Stapleton in the third quarter, but Cambridge City scored twice in the fourth quarter to pull away. Logan Gilbert threw for 232 yards on the day -- 133 to his brother Spencer. But CCL's attack was balanced, gaining more than 200 yards in the air and boasting a 100-yard rusher. EH finishes 3-7, but has made some big strides this season. CCL is now 8-2 and advances to play Northeastern next week.
Daily Reporter | Richmond Palladium-Item
Elsewhere in the HHC
Class 3A, Sectional 19
Yorktown 38, Eastbrook 24: Esatbrook came in undefeated on the field and ranked No. 2 in Class 3A. No more. Yorktown -- battle-tested by a schedule that saw them play seven of their nine games against Class 4A schools -- posted an impressive road victory against the highly-regarded Panthers. Yorktown rallied from a 21-0 first-quarter deficit to win the game. Brendon Barnes had TD runs of 63 and 60 yards in the second half to give the Tigers a 25-24 lead. He also had an 84-yard TD catch to ice it late. QB Joe Todd also threw a short TD to Jason Brown on fourth down to make it 31-24. Barnes had 264 rushing yards on the night and more than 300 from scrimmage. The Tigers (6-4) will face Blackford next week.
Muncie Star-Press
Class 3A, Sectional 22
Brown County 15, Rushville 8: The Lions held an 8-7 lead much of the night, but saw BC rally in the fourth quarter with a late TD to win it. Rushville finishes 2-8.
Class 4A, Sectional 15
Columbus East 49, Shelbyville 21: While Gunnar Kiel didn't play, it didn't slow the Olympians in the evening. Sophomore Alex Cowan threw for two TDs and running back Andrew Wilson had two long touchdown runs for the Olympians, who are ranked No. 3 in Class 4A. Shelbyville finishes the year 1-9.
Shelbyville News
Friday, October 21, 2011
Sectional Round 1 wrapup
Sectional 13 has become the Hoosier Heritage Conference tournament.
Two of the four Hancock County teams are still alive, as are five of the
eight Hoosier Heritage Conference teams after a big Class 3A upset
tonight.
A quick roundup:
Sectional 13
Pendleton Heights 31, Mt. Vernon 7: Impressive job by the Arabians tonight as their line controlled both sides of the ball. PH had 450+ yards of total offense, with two 100-yard rushers in Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow, and QB Mitch Patishall made some strong throws when needed. PH's defense was super-impressive, holding MV below 200 yards of total offense and keeping a team out of the end zone for three straight weeks. MV's touchdown was an 87-yard kickoff return by Tyler Dicks. Anthony Burnett led MV with 85 rushing yards. It's a young Marauder squad -- they look to be loaded for the next week. PH, ranked No. 5/6 in 4A, is now 9-1 and has scored 30+ points nine times. MV finishes 5-5 in coach Doug Amstrong's first year.
Greenfield-Central 48, Muncie South 22: The Cougars pulled away in the middle quarters and added yet another return touchdown -- this time blocking a punt in the end zone. G-C fell to Pendleton Heights last week 34-3 -- now the Cougars earn a rematch with the Arabians in Pendleton. G-C also clinches its second straight winning season at 6-4 -- it's the first time the Cougars have had back-to-back winning seasons since 1973-75. Muncie South finishes 3-8.
New Palestine 62, Muncie Central 0: NP led 34-0 after a quarter and rolled from there. Matt Siergiej scored two touchdowns, Connor Simmons threw TD passes to Brandon Collins, Brandon Wiggins, Josh Penley and Tyler Walden, and NP's defense posts its second straight shutout and third of the year. NP, now 10-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, will visit Delta next week in our Game of the Week broadcast on HancockCountySports.com. Muncie Central finishes 2-8. The Dragons' victory gives the HHC an 8-0 record against NCC teams this season.
Delta 62, Frankfort 0: The Eagles have really hit their stride since a 3-game losing streak in the middle of the season. Delta has allowed just two TDs the last three weeks. Delta -- now 5-5 (7-3 on the field) will host New Palestine in a rematch of their Week 4 matchup from Lucas Oil Stadium, which NP won 31-20.
Next week (Friday, Oct. 28)
New Palestine (10-0) at Delta (5-5), 7 p.m. (LIVE: HancockCountySports.com)
Greenfield-Central (6-4) at Pendleton Heights (8-1), 7 p.m. (broadcast: WEEM-91.7, WRGF-89.7).
Sectional 37
Cambridge City Lincoln 42, Eastern Hancock 21: The Royals and Golden Eagles were nip-and-tuck for much of the night, but CCL pulled away late to win. The Royals finish with a 3-7 record, but made some big strides under first-year coach Pat Echeverria. CCL is now 8-2 on the season, its best in school history.
Elsewhere in Sectional 37:
Northeastern 47, Indiana Deaf 0
Knightstown 27, Hagerstown 18: Congrats to MV grad Pat Mallory who wins his first playoff game as the Panthers' head coach.
Scecina 44, Tri 8
Next week (Friday, Oct. 28)
Northeastern (5-5) at Cambridge City Lincoln (8-2)
Knightstown (7-3) at Scecina (7-3)
Elsewhere in the HHC
Class 3A Sectional 19: HUGE upset for Yorktown, which beats 3A No. 2/3 Eastbrook 38-24. The Panthers had been unbeaten on the field (but were 6-3 due to forfeits). The game shows the strength of the HHC, as its fifth-place team knocks off one of the top teams in the Central Indiana Conference and in the state for quite some time. Yorktown is now 6-4 and will visit Bellmont (4-6) next week.
Class 3A Sectional 22: Rushville led Brown County much of the night, but falls 15-8 on a late touchdown by the Eagles. Rushville finishes the year 2-8.
Class 4A Sectional 15: Shelbyville is defeated by 4A No. 3 Columbus East 49-21 despite East's Gunnar Kiel not playing due to a practice injury.
A quick roundup:
Sectional 13
Pendleton Heights 31, Mt. Vernon 7: Impressive job by the Arabians tonight as their line controlled both sides of the ball. PH had 450+ yards of total offense, with two 100-yard rushers in Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow, and QB Mitch Patishall made some strong throws when needed. PH's defense was super-impressive, holding MV below 200 yards of total offense and keeping a team out of the end zone for three straight weeks. MV's touchdown was an 87-yard kickoff return by Tyler Dicks. Anthony Burnett led MV with 85 rushing yards. It's a young Marauder squad -- they look to be loaded for the next week. PH, ranked No. 5/6 in 4A, is now 9-1 and has scored 30+ points nine times. MV finishes 5-5 in coach Doug Amstrong's first year.
Greenfield-Central 48, Muncie South 22: The Cougars pulled away in the middle quarters and added yet another return touchdown -- this time blocking a punt in the end zone. G-C fell to Pendleton Heights last week 34-3 -- now the Cougars earn a rematch with the Arabians in Pendleton. G-C also clinches its second straight winning season at 6-4 -- it's the first time the Cougars have had back-to-back winning seasons since 1973-75. Muncie South finishes 3-8.
New Palestine 62, Muncie Central 0: NP led 34-0 after a quarter and rolled from there. Matt Siergiej scored two touchdowns, Connor Simmons threw TD passes to Brandon Collins, Brandon Wiggins, Josh Penley and Tyler Walden, and NP's defense posts its second straight shutout and third of the year. NP, now 10-0 and ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, will visit Delta next week in our Game of the Week broadcast on HancockCountySports.com. Muncie Central finishes 2-8. The Dragons' victory gives the HHC an 8-0 record against NCC teams this season.
Delta 62, Frankfort 0: The Eagles have really hit their stride since a 3-game losing streak in the middle of the season. Delta has allowed just two TDs the last three weeks. Delta -- now 5-5 (7-3 on the field) will host New Palestine in a rematch of their Week 4 matchup from Lucas Oil Stadium, which NP won 31-20.
Next week (Friday, Oct. 28)
New Palestine (10-0) at Delta (5-5), 7 p.m. (LIVE: HancockCountySports.com)
Greenfield-Central (6-4) at Pendleton Heights (8-1), 7 p.m. (broadcast: WEEM-91.7, WRGF-89.7).
Sectional 37
Cambridge City Lincoln 42, Eastern Hancock 21: The Royals and Golden Eagles were nip-and-tuck for much of the night, but CCL pulled away late to win. The Royals finish with a 3-7 record, but made some big strides under first-year coach Pat Echeverria. CCL is now 8-2 on the season, its best in school history.
Elsewhere in Sectional 37:
Northeastern 47, Indiana Deaf 0
Knightstown 27, Hagerstown 18: Congrats to MV grad Pat Mallory who wins his first playoff game as the Panthers' head coach.
Scecina 44, Tri 8
Next week (Friday, Oct. 28)
Northeastern (5-5) at Cambridge City Lincoln (8-2)
Knightstown (7-3) at Scecina (7-3)
Elsewhere in the HHC
Class 3A Sectional 19: HUGE upset for Yorktown, which beats 3A No. 2/3 Eastbrook 38-24. The Panthers had been unbeaten on the field (but were 6-3 due to forfeits). The game shows the strength of the HHC, as its fifth-place team knocks off one of the top teams in the Central Indiana Conference and in the state for quite some time. Yorktown is now 6-4 and will visit Bellmont (4-6) next week.
Class 3A Sectional 22: Rushville led Brown County much of the night, but falls 15-8 on a late touchdown by the Eagles. Rushville finishes the year 2-8.
Class 4A Sectional 15: Shelbyville is defeated by 4A No. 3 Columbus East 49-21 despite East's Gunnar Kiel not playing due to a practice injury.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Sectional Round 1 preview
The regular season is a distant memory. The trophies have been handed out, but now everyone is 0-0 and the games start over again.
Let's take a look ahead at the state tournament in the HHC and Hancock County. Our Game of the Week will be from Sectional 13, where the Mt. Vernon Marauders of coach Doug Armstrong will face the defending sectional champion and fifth-ranked Pendleton Heights Arabians. We'll also be keeping you up on as many other sectional games as we can, so make sure you log in to HancockCountySports.com at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
There's also a "looking ahead" spot to show where the local teams would go if they win Round 1.
All games at 7 p.m. Friday
Class 4A, Sectional 13
Muncie Central (2-7) at #1/2 New Palestine (9-0): The Dragons have practically rewritten the school's record book offensively, but the Dragons' defense has been equally-strong in the last half of the season. Connor Simmons broke the NPHS single-season passing record last week and has the career record in his sights. Muncie Central has four receivers with at least 200 yards receiving and a running game led by JaRon Terry. NP will be heavily favored.
Frankfort (0-9) at Delta (6-3 on the field): The Eagles have hit their groove after a mid-season 3-game losing streak. QB Ozzie Mann hooked up with Jake Greenberg for a couple of big scorers last week against Shelbyville. Delta should be a heavy favorite in this one.
Muncie South (3-6) at Greenfield-Central (5-4): A Cougar victory would give them back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1973-75 -- a time period in which the Cougars were a state champion and a state runner-up. G-C had a tough loss to Pendleton Heights last week, but the Cougars have a ballhawking defense and a balanced offense with one of the top athletes in the HHC in Matt Dickerson. Two of Muncie South's three wins are against Connersville.
Mt. Vernon (5-4) at #5/6 Pendleton Heights (8-1) (LISTEN LIVE!): The Arabians have been one of the state's most impressive teams all season. They've been dominant, scoring at least 30 points in eight of their nine games this year, led by QB Mitch Patishall and two rushers who will likely finish over the 1,000-yard mark in Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow. But MV's defense is very strong and can give the Marauders a shot. Since a 38-6 loss to PH in Week 5, the Marauder defense allowed just 15 points in regulation the next three weeks.
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
New Palestine -- on the road in Round 2 regardless of opponent
Delta -- at home vs. NP, on road vs. MC
Greenfield-Central -- on the road in Round 2 regardless of opponent
MV -- at home in round 2
PH -- at home vs. G-C, on road vs. Muncie South
Week 3: Team that has played the most road sectional games will host. If both teams have been the road team the same number of times, the team in the bottom bracket shall host.
Class A, Sectional 37
Indiana Deaf (0-9) at Northeastern (4-5)
Eastern Hancock (3-6) at Cambridge City Lincoln (7-2): CCL is coming off its best season in school history, but the Golden Eagles won't be overlooking the Royals. EH's 3-6 record is a bit deceiving, as the Royals play a schedule primarily made up of bigger schools and they've been competitive throughout much of the year. QB Logan Gilbert and RB Spencer Gilbert are important, but EH has been developing lots of contributions and coach Pat Echeverria has done a nice job in Year 1.
Knightstown (6-3) at Hagerstown (5-4): The marquee matchup in the sectional. Coach Pat Mallory's Panthers head to the road. Hagerstown's record is deceiving -- the Tigers have been one of the area's top teams, and will be a tough out at home.
Scecina (6-3) at Tri (0-9): Scecina just beat a ranked Lutheran squad handily last week. They're on a roll headed into the tourney.
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
Eastern Hancock -- at home in Round 2 regardless of opponent
HHC sectionals
Class 4A, Sectional 15
Richmond (4-5) at Franklin County (7-2): A good matchup. Richmond is a solid team that gave New Palestine all it could handle for a half. The Red Devils are also young and athletic. Franklin County is a solid program from a strong football tradition. Homefield will help.
Connersville (2-7) at New Castle (0-9): Two programs who have struggled to get traction meet up. Both are well-coached teams.
East Central (8-1) at South Dearborn (7-2): Wow! What a matchup. EC was a top-5 team before the loss to Roncalli last week. Add in the intra-county rivalry and this will be a blast.
Columbus East (8-1) at Shelbyville (1-8): Shelby gets a tough draw facing Gunnar Kiel and the Columbus East Olympians right out of the chute. Kiel is one of the nation's top QBs this season, and is an Indiana recruit. This will be a tough task for a Golden Bear squad that has had an opportunistic, strong defense led by Ethan Runnebohm, but has struggled with turnovers.
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
Yorktown -- home vs. Blackford, road vs. Bellmont
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
Rushville -- home vs. BG, road vs. IC
Let's take a look ahead at the state tournament in the HHC and Hancock County. Our Game of the Week will be from Sectional 13, where the Mt. Vernon Marauders of coach Doug Armstrong will face the defending sectional champion and fifth-ranked Pendleton Heights Arabians. We'll also be keeping you up on as many other sectional games as we can, so make sure you log in to HancockCountySports.com at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
There's also a "looking ahead" spot to show where the local teams would go if they win Round 1.
All games at 7 p.m. Friday
Class 4A, Sectional 13
Muncie Central (2-7) at #1/2 New Palestine (9-0): The Dragons have practically rewritten the school's record book offensively, but the Dragons' defense has been equally-strong in the last half of the season. Connor Simmons broke the NPHS single-season passing record last week and has the career record in his sights. Muncie Central has four receivers with at least 200 yards receiving and a running game led by JaRon Terry. NP will be heavily favored.
Frankfort (0-9) at Delta (6-3 on the field): The Eagles have hit their groove after a mid-season 3-game losing streak. QB Ozzie Mann hooked up with Jake Greenberg for a couple of big scorers last week against Shelbyville. Delta should be a heavy favorite in this one.
Muncie South (3-6) at Greenfield-Central (5-4): A Cougar victory would give them back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1973-75 -- a time period in which the Cougars were a state champion and a state runner-up. G-C had a tough loss to Pendleton Heights last week, but the Cougars have a ballhawking defense and a balanced offense with one of the top athletes in the HHC in Matt Dickerson. Two of Muncie South's three wins are against Connersville.
Mt. Vernon (5-4) at #5/6 Pendleton Heights (8-1) (LISTEN LIVE!): The Arabians have been one of the state's most impressive teams all season. They've been dominant, scoring at least 30 points in eight of their nine games this year, led by QB Mitch Patishall and two rushers who will likely finish over the 1,000-yard mark in Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow. But MV's defense is very strong and can give the Marauders a shot. Since a 38-6 loss to PH in Week 5, the Marauder defense allowed just 15 points in regulation the next three weeks.
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
New Palestine -- on the road in Round 2 regardless of opponent
Delta -- at home vs. NP, on road vs. MC
Greenfield-Central -- on the road in Round 2 regardless of opponent
MV -- at home in round 2
PH -- at home vs. G-C, on road vs. Muncie South
Week 3: Team that has played the most road sectional games will host. If both teams have been the road team the same number of times, the team in the bottom bracket shall host.
Class A, Sectional 37
Indiana Deaf (0-9) at Northeastern (4-5)
Eastern Hancock (3-6) at Cambridge City Lincoln (7-2): CCL is coming off its best season in school history, but the Golden Eagles won't be overlooking the Royals. EH's 3-6 record is a bit deceiving, as the Royals play a schedule primarily made up of bigger schools and they've been competitive throughout much of the year. QB Logan Gilbert and RB Spencer Gilbert are important, but EH has been developing lots of contributions and coach Pat Echeverria has done a nice job in Year 1.
Knightstown (6-3) at Hagerstown (5-4): The marquee matchup in the sectional. Coach Pat Mallory's Panthers head to the road. Hagerstown's record is deceiving -- the Tigers have been one of the area's top teams, and will be a tough out at home.
Scecina (6-3) at Tri (0-9): Scecina just beat a ranked Lutheran squad handily last week. They're on a roll headed into the tourney.
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
Eastern Hancock -- at home in Round 2 regardless of opponent
HHC sectionals
Class 4A, Sectional 15
Richmond (4-5) at Franklin County (7-2): A good matchup. Richmond is a solid team that gave New Palestine all it could handle for a half. The Red Devils are also young and athletic. Franklin County is a solid program from a strong football tradition. Homefield will help.
Connersville (2-7) at New Castle (0-9): Two programs who have struggled to get traction meet up. Both are well-coached teams.
East Central (8-1) at South Dearborn (7-2): Wow! What a matchup. EC was a top-5 team before the loss to Roncalli last week. Add in the intra-county rivalry and this will be a blast.
Columbus East (8-1) at Shelbyville (1-8): Shelby gets a tough draw facing Gunnar Kiel and the Columbus East Olympians right out of the chute. Kiel is one of the nation's top QBs this season, and is an Indiana recruit. This will be a tough task for a Golden Bear squad that has had an opportunistic, strong defense led by Ethan Runnebohm, but has struggled with turnovers.
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
Shelbyville -- home vs. SD, road vs. EC
Class 3A, Sectional 19
Yorktown (5-4) at Eastbrook (9-0 on the field): Eastbrook had to forfeit three games, but the Panthers are one of Class 3A's top programs year-in and year-out. Yorktown more than held its own in the tough HHC, winning its last two games in the fourth quarter in come-from-behind fashion to beat both Shelbyville and Rushville. A midseaon victory over Delta can propel Mike Wilhelm's club to have a lot of confidence now that it's not facing 4A teams every week as it had for seven games thsi season.
Bellmont (3-6) at Blackford (2-7)
Mississnewa (7-2) at Maconaquah (2-7)
Western (7-2) at Peru (0-9)
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
Yorktown -- home vs. Blackford, road vs. Bellmont
Class 3A, Sectional 22
Howe (5-4) at Edgewood (6-3)
Batesville (3-6) at Greensburg (4-5)
Brown County (4-5) at Rushville (2-7): Again, the Lions played eight of their nine games against 4A competition, so the record can be a bit misleading. It's a big factor in this being Rushville's second-to-last year in the HHC before leaving for the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference, which will have four 4A schools instead of six. This is a winnable game for Rushville, which is a young team that is continually improving, with Kaleb Lambert and Garrett Hittle leading the way.
Beech Grove (0-9) at Indian Creek (5-4): IC was a semistate team last season. The Braves are tournament-tested and could be a favorite in this sectional.
Looking ahead to Round 2 for HHC/county schools:
Rushville -- home vs. BG, road vs. IC
Volleyball: Dragons, Cougars fall
New Palestine and Greenfield-Central were both eliminated from their respective Class 4A volleyball sectionals tonight.
G-C dropped a 25-6, 25-20, 25-19 decision to New Castle tonight on the Trojans' home floor. Lauryn Gillis led NC with 15 kills in the three-set match in the opening round of the sectional.
New Palestine fell to Greenwood in a four-game match that pitted two 20-win teams in the Franklin sectional semifinal. Greenwood won its 25th match of the year with the victory. NP finishes 20-12.
Eastern Hancock and Mt. Vernon are still active. EH will play Cambridge City Lincoln in the semi at Knightstown at 11 a.m. Saturday. MV will host Chatard at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The championship matches in both sectionals will be at 7 p.m. Saturday evening.
G-C dropped a 25-6, 25-20, 25-19 decision to New Castle tonight on the Trojans' home floor. Lauryn Gillis led NC with 15 kills in the three-set match in the opening round of the sectional.
New Palestine fell to Greenwood in a four-game match that pitted two 20-win teams in the Franklin sectional semifinal. Greenwood won its 25th match of the year with the victory. NP finishes 20-12.
Eastern Hancock and Mt. Vernon are still active. EH will play Cambridge City Lincoln in the semi at Knightstown at 11 a.m. Saturday. MV will host Chatard at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The championship matches in both sectionals will be at 7 p.m. Saturday evening.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Volleyball sectionals: Royals, Dragons win
Eastern Hancock and New Palestine won their opening-round matches in tonight's volleyball sectionals.
At Knightstown, EH posted a 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16 victory over Hagerstown to open the sectional. Taylor Mercer (15 kills) and Bekah Dickmander (13 kills) led the Royals' offense. Tori Bednarski had 24 digs and three aces. Jordian Eastes had five aces. Lauren Harmon added nine kills and three blocks.
The Royals play Cambridge City Lincoln at 11 a.m. Saturday in the semifinals. The second semi will pit Union County/Centerville vs. Knightstown/Northeastern. Championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.
At Franklin, NP rallied to beat Franklin Central 20-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-21 to advance to the second round of the sectional. The Dragons will face Greenwood -- who beat Center Grove in tonight's first match -- at 6 p.m. Thursday. Greenwood defeated NP 2-1 in a tournament match earlier this season. The second semi pits Franklin vs. Whiteland. The championship will be at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The other two county sectionals have not yet begun. Greenfield-Central opens play in the New Castle sectional against the host team on Thursday evening. Mt. Vernon opens its own sectional against Chatard on Saturday morning.
At Knightstown, EH posted a 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16 victory over Hagerstown to open the sectional. Taylor Mercer (15 kills) and Bekah Dickmander (13 kills) led the Royals' offense. Tori Bednarski had 24 digs and three aces. Jordian Eastes had five aces. Lauren Harmon added nine kills and three blocks.
The Royals play Cambridge City Lincoln at 11 a.m. Saturday in the semifinals. The second semi will pit Union County/Centerville vs. Knightstown/Northeastern. Championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.
At Franklin, NP rallied to beat Franklin Central 20-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-21 to advance to the second round of the sectional. The Dragons will face Greenwood -- who beat Center Grove in tonight's first match -- at 6 p.m. Thursday. Greenwood defeated NP 2-1 in a tournament match earlier this season. The second semi pits Franklin vs. Whiteland. The championship will be at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The other two county sectionals have not yet begun. Greenfield-Central opens play in the New Castle sectional against the host team on Thursday evening. Mt. Vernon opens its own sectional against Chatard on Saturday morning.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Dan Wheldon left a legacy
Stepping out of our Hancock County-centric-ness for a few moments.
HancockCountySports.com announcer Andrew Smith has covered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a decade and a half -- much of that time for our friends at the Daily Reporter. Over the years, he's had a chance to interact with Dan Wheldon, first as a young, brash driver with a great love for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, more recently as a mature two-time race winner who seemed to be hitting a second wind in his career and content with life going forward.
He remembers Dan Wheldon here.
HancockCountySports.com announcer Andrew Smith has covered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a decade and a half -- much of that time for our friends at the Daily Reporter. Over the years, he's had a chance to interact with Dan Wheldon, first as a young, brash driver with a great love for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, more recently as a mature two-time race winner who seemed to be hitting a second wind in his career and content with life going forward.
He remembers Dan Wheldon here.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
CC: Marauders, Dragons, Cougars advance
The New Palestine girls and Greenfield-Central boys teams advanced out of today's Rushville regional and will compete in next Saturday's semistate at Northview Christian Life Church.
In the Delta regional, both Mt. Vernon teams advanced. MV's girls finished third, MV's boys were fourth. They will compete in the New Haven semistate next Saturday.
In the girls race, the Dragons finished fourth out of 10 teams in today's Rushville regional, earning a ticket to next Saturday's semistate at Northview Christian Life Church in Carmel.
The Dragons had 125 points, finishing five ahead of fifth-place Connersville and 49 points ahead of the cutoff to make it to the regional. Franklin Central and Warren Central -- the top two teams in the New Palestine sectional earlier this week -- were the top two teams with 23 and 78, respectively. Hagerstown was third with 94. NP was the only team in the top five to advance without a runner in the top 10, showing tremendous depth, as the Dragons' sixth runner was ahead of Hagerstown's fifth, Connersville's fourth and sixth-place Roncalli's third runner. Greenfield-Central was ninth with 205.
Emily Trimpe led the Dragons with a 23rd-place finish in 21:31. Natalie Shields finished 24th (21:32). Caroline Voelz was 27th (22:05), Kayla Medaris 31st (22:20) and Izzy Fleetwood 38th (22:43). Brianna Komornik (39th) and Chloe Kirchner (57th) did not score, but had strong runs for the Dragons.
G-C was led by 32nd-place Rebecca Flora (22:23). Also scoring for the Cougars were Katie McKeeman (41st, 22:48), Claire Talbott (43rd, 22:50), Emily Dupnick (45th, 22:54) and Megan Morley (64th, 24:21).
Eastern Hancock's Kiersten Schrope narrowly missed advancing, finishing 16th with a time of 21:14 -- one spot and 10 seconds shy of moving on.
On the boys side, Greenfield-Central scored 142 to finish fifth -- and was just eight points shy of third-place New Castle and six shy of fourth-place Roncalli. Franklin Central and Warren Central were the top two teams with 38 and 87 points, respectively. New Palestine finished seventh with 174.
G-C was led by senior Tyler Wi9lcher (17th, 17:37). Also scoring were Garrett Benedict (20th, 17:44), Christopher Tatom (25th, 17:56), Jared McQueen (45th, 18:35) and Jordan Wright (49th, 18:43).
New Palestine's Seth Eagleson finished sixth with a 17:00 run over 5K to advance to the semistate as an individual. Tate Schienbein of Union County won with a time of 16:01.
Also scoring for the Dragons were Austin Dodd (18:20, 37th), Oliver Dockins (41st, 18:30), Sam Jones (48th, 18:38) and Zach Nagel (56th, 19:03).
At Delta, Mt. Vernon's girls finished third with a team score of 101. Pendleton Heights won the race with a total of 56, Yorktown was second with 95. Four of the five advancing teams were from the Hoosier Heritage Conference -- Jay County and Delta were fourth and fifth.
MV had a lot of depth, shown by the fact that all five runners finished in the top 35. The Marauders were led by Elizabeth Cook (13th, 20:39), Miranda Bode (15th, 20:43), Jessica Grubb (25th, 21:37), Micaela Elmore (28th, 21:35) and Cassandra Eiler (31st, 21:49).
In the boys race, MV finished fourth with a score of 102, four points ahead of fifth-place Delta. Pendleton Heights won with a 45, beating Muncie Central by eight. Frankton was third with 89.
Matthew Abebe (12th, 17:27) led the Marauders. Nathan Bode (14th, 17:30), Andrew Boyle (23rd, 17:56), Taylor VanWinkle (28th, 18:06) and Gary Maley (37th, 18:24) all scored for the Marauders.
In the Delta regional, both Mt. Vernon teams advanced. MV's girls finished third, MV's boys were fourth. They will compete in the New Haven semistate next Saturday.
In the girls race, the Dragons finished fourth out of 10 teams in today's Rushville regional, earning a ticket to next Saturday's semistate at Northview Christian Life Church in Carmel.
The Dragons had 125 points, finishing five ahead of fifth-place Connersville and 49 points ahead of the cutoff to make it to the regional. Franklin Central and Warren Central -- the top two teams in the New Palestine sectional earlier this week -- were the top two teams with 23 and 78, respectively. Hagerstown was third with 94. NP was the only team in the top five to advance without a runner in the top 10, showing tremendous depth, as the Dragons' sixth runner was ahead of Hagerstown's fifth, Connersville's fourth and sixth-place Roncalli's third runner. Greenfield-Central was ninth with 205.
Emily Trimpe led the Dragons with a 23rd-place finish in 21:31. Natalie Shields finished 24th (21:32). Caroline Voelz was 27th (22:05), Kayla Medaris 31st (22:20) and Izzy Fleetwood 38th (22:43). Brianna Komornik (39th) and Chloe Kirchner (57th) did not score, but had strong runs for the Dragons.
G-C was led by 32nd-place Rebecca Flora (22:23). Also scoring for the Cougars were Katie McKeeman (41st, 22:48), Claire Talbott (43rd, 22:50), Emily Dupnick (45th, 22:54) and Megan Morley (64th, 24:21).
Eastern Hancock's Kiersten Schrope narrowly missed advancing, finishing 16th with a time of 21:14 -- one spot and 10 seconds shy of moving on.
On the boys side, Greenfield-Central scored 142 to finish fifth -- and was just eight points shy of third-place New Castle and six shy of fourth-place Roncalli. Franklin Central and Warren Central were the top two teams with 38 and 87 points, respectively. New Palestine finished seventh with 174.
G-C was led by senior Tyler Wi9lcher (17th, 17:37). Also scoring were Garrett Benedict (20th, 17:44), Christopher Tatom (25th, 17:56), Jared McQueen (45th, 18:35) and Jordan Wright (49th, 18:43).
New Palestine's Seth Eagleson finished sixth with a 17:00 run over 5K to advance to the semistate as an individual. Tate Schienbein of Union County won with a time of 16:01.
Also scoring for the Dragons were Austin Dodd (18:20, 37th), Oliver Dockins (41st, 18:30), Sam Jones (48th, 18:38) and Zach Nagel (56th, 19:03).
At Delta, Mt. Vernon's girls finished third with a team score of 101. Pendleton Heights won the race with a total of 56, Yorktown was second with 95. Four of the five advancing teams were from the Hoosier Heritage Conference -- Jay County and Delta were fourth and fifth.
MV had a lot of depth, shown by the fact that all five runners finished in the top 35. The Marauders were led by Elizabeth Cook (13th, 20:39), Miranda Bode (15th, 20:43), Jessica Grubb (25th, 21:37), Micaela Elmore (28th, 21:35) and Cassandra Eiler (31st, 21:49).
In the boys race, MV finished fourth with a score of 102, four points ahead of fifth-place Delta. Pendleton Heights won with a 45, beating Muncie Central by eight. Frankton was third with 89.
Matthew Abebe (12th, 17:27) led the Marauders. Nathan Bode (14th, 17:30), Andrew Boyle (23rd, 17:56), Taylor VanWinkle (28th, 18:06) and Gary Maley (37th, 18:24) all scored for the Marauders.
Soccer wrap: Cougars, Dragons fall
Greenfield-Central's boys and New Palestine's girls both saw their soccer seasons end this evening in regional championship matches.
First, the Cougars -- they were very strong tonight in staving off wave after wave by a very quick, technically-strong Center Grove team. A big reason why was the brick wall in front of the net, senior goalkeeper Collin Kleckner, who made 10 saves, several of the spectacular variety.
But the Trojans were able to put one unstoppable shot on goal, and it proved to be the difference. The play began with a great long feed from midfield to the top right corner of the box, where CG midfielder Brent Kramer lobbed a cross to the goalmouth. There, CG's Alieu Musa leaned down and buried a perfectly-placed header into the left-side netting to make it a 1-0 game with 12:35 left.
That turned out to be the difference. CG held a 23-5 shot advantage and carried much of the territory, but the Cougars had a handful of chances. The best came after a foul with a minute to go. Caleb Dunn took a free kick from 30 yards out and hit a laser that was headed for the top shelf of the net. Trojan goalkeeper Dalton Mudd reached up and backwards to make an acrobatic stop, getting enough of the ball to parry it off the crossbar. While G-C's Angel Rodriguez got to the rebound, a foul was called ending the Cougars' last -- and best -- threat.
For the Cougars, it was a great season, ending with an HHC and a sectional title and a 14-4-2 record. Seniors Collin Kleckner, Zach Shoufler, Brent Poling, Jeremiah Spencer, Adam Koers, Jim Vetters, Luke Agee and Cameron Scott all saw their final game tonight as high school players, but they should be proud of a great effort and a great tournament run. As the final horn sounded, Koers began clapping toward the bench, telling his teammates to keep their heads high and celebrate a fine season.
The Dragon girls also had a tremendous senior class that had accomplished much -- including back-to-back undefeated regular seasons. They won their sixth consecutive sectional title and the first regional game in school history, but fell behind by two goals twice and couldn't scale the mountain in a 3-2 loss to Perry Meridian tonight.
The Dragons had beaten the Falcons by the same score in the season opener back in mid-August.
Perry's Olivia and Amanda Annee scored early to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead headed into halftime. NP's Lauren Joray scored late in the first half to make it a 2-1 game. But Amanda Annee scored early in the second half to restore the two-goal lead. Lauren Kehrt scored midway through the second half to cut the deficit, but the Dragons couldn't get the equalizer.
NP finishes the year 17-1-3 and sends off a tremendous 11-person senior class that has rewritten the school record books.
Soccer regional finals tonight
Two Hancock County soccer teams remain alive in the IHSAA tournament for regional championship matches.
Join Andrew Smith tonight for the broadcast of Greenfield-Central vs. No. 12 Center Grove from Mt. Vernon. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. -- broadcast starts at 6:30 p.m. on HancockCountySports.com.
Also, we'll be giving updates on New Palestine's 11th-ranked Dragons as they play Perry Meridian in the girls regional from Shelbyville, which kicks off at the same time.
Join Andrew Smith tonight for the broadcast of Greenfield-Central vs. No. 12 Center Grove from Mt. Vernon. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. -- broadcast starts at 6:30 p.m. on HancockCountySports.com.
Also, we'll be giving updates on New Palestine's 11th-ranked Dragons as they play Perry Meridian in the girls regional from Shelbyville, which kicks off at the same time.
Saturday morning QB: End of the season
We saw an impressive effort from New Palestine last night, which came through in all three phases to clinch an unbeaten season and a second straight HHC title in our Game of the Week. Defending sectional champ Pendleton Heights also made a statement going into Sectional 13. The HHC race sorted itself out with a mad scramble for positioning in the middle of the conference, and now, everyone is 0-0 and we start thinking about the state tournament.
But first, let's look back on a fine regular-season-ending night.
New Palestine 27, Mt. Vernon 0: The top-ranked team in Class 4A showed why with a strong defensive effort. The Dragons only needed nine seconds to score, only allowed 147 total yards to the Marauders and were effective running and passing. QB Connor Simmons threw for 178 yards two touchdowns -- to Josh Penley and Tyler Walden -- and broke the school single-season passing record. Matt Siergiej returned at running back and ran for two touchdowns. NP's defense produced three takeaways and never allowed MV to penetrate inside the 30-yard line. The Dragoons clinched their first unbeaten season since 1988 -- the fourth in school history -- and extended their overall regular-season winning streak to 17. They also won their 20th straight HHC game, breaking a record set by Hamilton Southeastern from 1994-97. Tyler Dicks led the Marauders with 70 yards rushing. MV's defense had a solid day and coach Doug Amstrong tried to get them some big plays -- calling for an on-side kick to start the second half (it appeared to work, but the official said the ball was touched a couple of millimeters before it went 10 yards) and a fake punt with Anthony Burnett that NP was able to smell out. NP hosts Muncie Central, MV visits Pendleton Heights in Sectional 13 play next week.
Daily Reporter | Broadcast archive
Pendleton Heights 34, Greenfield-Central 3: PH's Jon Furrow had a big night, kicking two field goals, four extra points and scoring two touchdowns to move into second place on the school's career scoring list. The Arabians kept their offensive roll going -- they've scored at least 30 points in all eight of their victories this year. Furrow ran for 130+ yards. PH's defense also held G-C to just 34 rushing yards, led by Matt Dickerson's 26. The Arabians head into the tournament with an 8-1 record, sole possession of second place with a 6-1 mark. G-C finishes 5-4 overall and 4-3 in HHC play for a third-place tie. PH hosts Mt. Vernon, G-C hosts Muncie South in Sectional 13 play next week. If both win, they would meet up in the sectional semifinals on the same Arabian field.
Daily Reporter | Anderson Herald-Bulletin
Eastern Hancock 19, Edinburgh 0: The Royals posted their first shutout since coach Kyle Johnson's team posted one in 1995. EH has been getting stronger all season -- including coming the closest to knocking off MIFC champion Milan -- and the Royals capped it off by winning two of their last three. Freshman Cooper Henderson scored twice and ran for 73 yards. Spencer Gilbert had a TD run. QB Logan Gilbert threw for 60 yards and ran for 47. EH finishes the regular season 3-6. EH visits Cambridge City Lincoln next week in Sectional 37 play.
Daily Reporter
Elsewhere in the HHC
Delta 45, Shelbyville 6: The Eagles won their third straight to clinch a third-place tie with G-C in the HHC standings. Ozzie Mann set the tone with a 63-yard pass to Landon Lambert on the first offensive play of the game and the Eagles never looked back. RB Mason Bechdolt had a 52-yard TD run and Ryan Bickford had an 80-yard KOR for a TD. The Eagles finish 4-5 (4-3), but were 6-3 on the field. Shelby finishes 1-6 in the HHC and 1-8 overall. Delta meets Frankfort next week in Sectional 13. Shelby hosts Columbus East.
Shelbyville News | Muncie Star-Press
Yorktown 28, Rushville 21: A competitive game sends Yorktown into a fifth-place tie in the HHC as the Tigers post their second straight come-from-behind victory on the road. Rushville scored to take a 21-20 lead with two minutes left, but Yorktown's Brendon Barnes broke off a 50-yard TD run and then ran in the two-point conversion to give the Tigers a victory. Barnes ran for 181 yards and two fourth-quarter TDs. Coach Mike Wilhelm's Tigers finish 5-4 and 3-4 in HHC play. Rushville finishes 2-7 (0-7) for the second straight year.
Muncie Star-Press
Final HHC standingsNew Palestine 7-0/9-0
Pendleton Heights 6-1/8-1
Greenfield-Central 4-3/5-4
Delta 4-3/4-5
Mt. Vernon 3-4/5-4
Yorktown 3-4/5-4
Shelbyville 1-6/1-8
Rushville 0-7/2-7
Final MIFC standings
Milan 5-0/8-1
Indian Creek 4-1/5-4
Triton Central 3-2/4-5
North Decatur 2-3/3-6
Eastern Hancock 1-4/3-6
South Decatur 0-5/2-7
Sectional pairings next week
Hancock County schools
Class 4A sectional 13
Muncie Central (2-7) at New Palestine (9-0)
Frankfort (0-9) at Delta (6-3 on the field)
Muncie South (3-6) at Greenfield-Central (5-4)
Mt. Vernon (5-4) at Pendleton Heights (8-1) (broadcast: HancockCountySports.com)
Class A sectional 37
Indiana Deaf (0-9) at Northeastern (4-5)
Eastern Hancock (3-6) at Cambridge City Lincoln (7-2)
Knightstown (6-3) at Hagerstown (5-4)
Scecina (6-3) at Tri (0-9)
In the Hoosier Heritage Conference
Class 3A sectional 19
Yorktown (5-4) at Eastbrook (9-0 on the field)Bellmont (3-6) at Blackford (2-7)
Mississinewa (7-2) at Maconaquah (2-7)
Western (7-2) at Peru (0-9)
Class 3A sectional 22
Howe (5-4) at Edgewood (6-3)Batesville (3-6) at Greensburg (4-5)
Brown County (4-5) at Rushville (2-7)
Beech Grove (0-9) at Indian Creek (5-4)
Class 4A sectional 15
Richmond (4-5) at Franklin County (7-2)Connersville (2-7) at New Castle (0-9)
East Central (8-1) at South Dearborn (7-2)
Columbus East (8-1) at Shelbyville (1-8)
But first, let's look back on a fine regular-season-ending night.
New Palestine 27, Mt. Vernon 0: The top-ranked team in Class 4A showed why with a strong defensive effort. The Dragons only needed nine seconds to score, only allowed 147 total yards to the Marauders and were effective running and passing. QB Connor Simmons threw for 178 yards two touchdowns -- to Josh Penley and Tyler Walden -- and broke the school single-season passing record. Matt Siergiej returned at running back and ran for two touchdowns. NP's defense produced three takeaways and never allowed MV to penetrate inside the 30-yard line. The Dragoons clinched their first unbeaten season since 1988 -- the fourth in school history -- and extended their overall regular-season winning streak to 17. They also won their 20th straight HHC game, breaking a record set by Hamilton Southeastern from 1994-97. Tyler Dicks led the Marauders with 70 yards rushing. MV's defense had a solid day and coach Doug Amstrong tried to get them some big plays -- calling for an on-side kick to start the second half (it appeared to work, but the official said the ball was touched a couple of millimeters before it went 10 yards) and a fake punt with Anthony Burnett that NP was able to smell out. NP hosts Muncie Central, MV visits Pendleton Heights in Sectional 13 play next week.
Daily Reporter | Broadcast archive
Pendleton Heights 34, Greenfield-Central 3: PH's Jon Furrow had a big night, kicking two field goals, four extra points and scoring two touchdowns to move into second place on the school's career scoring list. The Arabians kept their offensive roll going -- they've scored at least 30 points in all eight of their victories this year. Furrow ran for 130+ yards. PH's defense also held G-C to just 34 rushing yards, led by Matt Dickerson's 26. The Arabians head into the tournament with an 8-1 record, sole possession of second place with a 6-1 mark. G-C finishes 5-4 overall and 4-3 in HHC play for a third-place tie. PH hosts Mt. Vernon, G-C hosts Muncie South in Sectional 13 play next week. If both win, they would meet up in the sectional semifinals on the same Arabian field.
Daily Reporter | Anderson Herald-Bulletin
Eastern Hancock 19, Edinburgh 0: The Royals posted their first shutout since coach Kyle Johnson's team posted one in 1995. EH has been getting stronger all season -- including coming the closest to knocking off MIFC champion Milan -- and the Royals capped it off by winning two of their last three. Freshman Cooper Henderson scored twice and ran for 73 yards. Spencer Gilbert had a TD run. QB Logan Gilbert threw for 60 yards and ran for 47. EH finishes the regular season 3-6. EH visits Cambridge City Lincoln next week in Sectional 37 play.
Daily Reporter
Elsewhere in the HHC
Delta 45, Shelbyville 6: The Eagles won their third straight to clinch a third-place tie with G-C in the HHC standings. Ozzie Mann set the tone with a 63-yard pass to Landon Lambert on the first offensive play of the game and the Eagles never looked back. RB Mason Bechdolt had a 52-yard TD run and Ryan Bickford had an 80-yard KOR for a TD. The Eagles finish 4-5 (4-3), but were 6-3 on the field. Shelby finishes 1-6 in the HHC and 1-8 overall. Delta meets Frankfort next week in Sectional 13. Shelby hosts Columbus East.
Shelbyville News | Muncie Star-Press
Yorktown 28, Rushville 21: A competitive game sends Yorktown into a fifth-place tie in the HHC as the Tigers post their second straight come-from-behind victory on the road. Rushville scored to take a 21-20 lead with two minutes left, but Yorktown's Brendon Barnes broke off a 50-yard TD run and then ran in the two-point conversion to give the Tigers a victory. Barnes ran for 181 yards and two fourth-quarter TDs. Coach Mike Wilhelm's Tigers finish 5-4 and 3-4 in HHC play. Rushville finishes 2-7 (0-7) for the second straight year.
Muncie Star-Press
Final HHC standingsNew Palestine 7-0/9-0
Pendleton Heights 6-1/8-1
Greenfield-Central 4-3/5-4
Delta 4-3/4-5
Mt. Vernon 3-4/5-4
Yorktown 3-4/5-4
Shelbyville 1-6/1-8
Rushville 0-7/2-7
Final MIFC standings
Milan 5-0/8-1
Indian Creek 4-1/5-4
Triton Central 3-2/4-5
North Decatur 2-3/3-6
Eastern Hancock 1-4/3-6
South Decatur 0-5/2-7
Sectional pairings next week
Hancock County schools
Class 4A sectional 13
Muncie Central (2-7) at New Palestine (9-0)
Frankfort (0-9) at Delta (6-3 on the field)
Muncie South (3-6) at Greenfield-Central (5-4)
Mt. Vernon (5-4) at Pendleton Heights (8-1) (broadcast: HancockCountySports.com)
Class A sectional 37
Indiana Deaf (0-9) at Northeastern (4-5)
Eastern Hancock (3-6) at Cambridge City Lincoln (7-2)
Knightstown (6-3) at Hagerstown (5-4)
Scecina (6-3) at Tri (0-9)
In the Hoosier Heritage Conference
Class 3A sectional 19
Yorktown (5-4) at Eastbrook (9-0 on the field)Bellmont (3-6) at Blackford (2-7)
Mississinewa (7-2) at Maconaquah (2-7)
Western (7-2) at Peru (0-9)
Class 3A sectional 22
Howe (5-4) at Edgewood (6-3)Batesville (3-6) at Greensburg (4-5)
Brown County (4-5) at Rushville (2-7)
Beech Grove (0-9) at Indian Creek (5-4)
Class 4A sectional 15
Richmond (4-5) at Franklin County (7-2)Connersville (2-7) at New Castle (0-9)
East Central (8-1) at South Dearborn (7-2)
Columbus East (8-1) at Shelbyville (1-8)
Friday, October 14, 2011
Dragons HHC champs
The New Palestine Dragons football team completed a perfect regular season Friday night with a nearly-perfect defensive effort in a 27-0 victory over Mt. Vernon.
We enjoyed bringing you the game -- as we have all season. The Dragons got started quickly -- needing just nine seconds to score the game's first touchdown -- and used a defensive effort that never let MV cross the 30-yard line.
Quarterback Connor Simmons completed 14-of-21 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 2,134 yards on the year, breaking Matt Rodgers' 18-year-old mark of 2,001. Simmons already holds the single-season mark for TD passes and extended it with his 24th and 25th of the year tonight. Josh Penley was his favorite target with six catches for 71 yards.
Junior running back Matt Siergiej had 44 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns.
The biggest throw-and-catch happened on the game's first play. On the opening kickoff, the Dragons' Nolan Hill placed the ball between the up men and the Marauders' deep returners. It bounced on the ground and the Dragons recovered the loose ball. On the game's first play, Simmons dropped back and hit Penley in stride for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Just nine seconds in, the Dragons led 6-0, and they'd never look back from there. After stopping the Marauders on down in NP territory, the Dragons got to work again on a 14-play, 63-yard drive that primarily featured Siergiej's running.He capped it off with a 1-yard run that made it 13-0 just 4:39 in.
That was all the Dragon defense would need. The Marauders would never penetrate inside the NP 30. The Dragons stopped MV on downs twice in the first half, saw Penley nab his fourth interception of the year, blocked a punt and stuffed a fake punt. Brandon Collins also scooped up a Marauder fumble in the third quarter, setting up Siergiej's second TD of the day -- this one from 2 yards out that made it 20-0 with 2:48 left in the third. After forcing a punt, the Dragons added the insurance with a mammoth 14-play, 76-yard, 6:33 drive that saw NP convert two 20-plus yards-to-go situations. One of those was a 26-yard pass to Austin Monday on 2nd-and-24 to the MV 27. A couple of plays later, on first-and-22 from the 29, Simmons found Tyler Walden open at the back of the end zone for a touchdown pass.
The Dragons gained 271 total yards -- 93 on the ground and 178 through the air. They held MV to just 147 yards -- including minus-4 in the passing game. MV had seven total first downs, but had none in the second half until the final drive.
The victory clinches an HHC record for the Dragons, who won their 20th straight conference game. That breaks a record set by Hamilton Southeastern from 1994-97. The Dragons also retained possession of the HHC Helmet for the 14th straight game -- a conference record -- and will maintain it through the offseason for the second straight year. Simmons is also nearing career marks for passing yards, passing TDs and season TD passes. Collins has already set the school's single-season receiveing mark. He had two catches for 25 yards tonight.
New Palestine hosts Muncie Central next week in Sectional 13 play. Mt. Vernon (5-4, 3-4) is in the opposite half of the bracket, and visits Pendleton Heights in the game we will broadcast on HancockCountySports.com!
Elsewhere
Pendleton Heights 34, Greenfield-Central 3: The seventh-ranked Arabians have been on fire the last few weeks, and showed that again tonight. PH built an early 10-0 lead, extended it to a two-score game by halftime and pulled away in the second half. The Arabians finish the year with an 8-1 mark and 6-1 in the conference, showing a tremendous resurgence over the last two years. PH is a defending sectional champion and will go for back-to-back. PH visits Mt. Vernon in our HancockCountySports.com broadcast next week. G-C will host Muncie South in the other Sectional 13 bottom-bracket semifinal game.
Eastern Hancock 19, Edinburgh 0: The Royals register a shutout for the first time since 2005 in a victory over the Lancers. Coach Pat Echeverria's team wins two of its last three to head into the sectional. The Royals have shown themselves a strong team in the first year with a new head coach. At 3-6, they will visit Cambridge City Lincoln next week.
And in the HHC
Delta 45, Shelbyville 6: The Eagles are a force to be reckoned with, having won three straight games. Delta finishes the year 4-5 (6-3 on the field) and having allowed just 13 points the last two weeks. Eagles tie Greenfield-Central for 3rd in the conference with a 4-3 mark. Delta meets Frankfort in Sectional 13 action next week. Shelby hosts Columbus East in Sectional 15. Shelby is 1-8 (1-6).
Yorktown 28, Rushville 21: The Tigers win their second straight close game to finish in a fifth-place tie with Mt. Vernon in the HHC standings. Yorktown is now 3-4 in the HHC and 5-4 overall. Rushville is 2-7 (0-7) and has now dropped 15 straight HHC games.
Final HHC standings
New Palestine 7-0/9-0
Pendleton Heights 6-1/8-1
Greenfield-Central 4-3/5-4
Delta 4-3/4-5
Mt. Vernon 3-4/5-4
Yorktown 3-4/5-4
Shelbyville 1-6/1-8
Rushville 0-7/2-7
Final MIFC standings
Milan 5-0/8-1
Indian Creek 4-1/5-4
Triton Central 3-2/4-5
North Decatur 2-3/3-6
Eastern Hancock 1-4/3-6
South Decatur 0-5/2-7
We enjoyed bringing you the game -- as we have all season. The Dragons got started quickly -- needing just nine seconds to score the game's first touchdown -- and used a defensive effort that never let MV cross the 30-yard line.
Quarterback Connor Simmons completed 14-of-21 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 2,134 yards on the year, breaking Matt Rodgers' 18-year-old mark of 2,001. Simmons already holds the single-season mark for TD passes and extended it with his 24th and 25th of the year tonight. Josh Penley was his favorite target with six catches for 71 yards.
Junior running back Matt Siergiej had 44 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns.
The biggest throw-and-catch happened on the game's first play. On the opening kickoff, the Dragons' Nolan Hill placed the ball between the up men and the Marauders' deep returners. It bounced on the ground and the Dragons recovered the loose ball. On the game's first play, Simmons dropped back and hit Penley in stride for a 22-yard touchdown pass. Just nine seconds in, the Dragons led 6-0, and they'd never look back from there. After stopping the Marauders on down in NP territory, the Dragons got to work again on a 14-play, 63-yard drive that primarily featured Siergiej's running.He capped it off with a 1-yard run that made it 13-0 just 4:39 in.
That was all the Dragon defense would need. The Marauders would never penetrate inside the NP 30. The Dragons stopped MV on downs twice in the first half, saw Penley nab his fourth interception of the year, blocked a punt and stuffed a fake punt. Brandon Collins also scooped up a Marauder fumble in the third quarter, setting up Siergiej's second TD of the day -- this one from 2 yards out that made it 20-0 with 2:48 left in the third. After forcing a punt, the Dragons added the insurance with a mammoth 14-play, 76-yard, 6:33 drive that saw NP convert two 20-plus yards-to-go situations. One of those was a 26-yard pass to Austin Monday on 2nd-and-24 to the MV 27. A couple of plays later, on first-and-22 from the 29, Simmons found Tyler Walden open at the back of the end zone for a touchdown pass.
The Dragons gained 271 total yards -- 93 on the ground and 178 through the air. They held MV to just 147 yards -- including minus-4 in the passing game. MV had seven total first downs, but had none in the second half until the final drive.
The victory clinches an HHC record for the Dragons, who won their 20th straight conference game. That breaks a record set by Hamilton Southeastern from 1994-97. The Dragons also retained possession of the HHC Helmet for the 14th straight game -- a conference record -- and will maintain it through the offseason for the second straight year. Simmons is also nearing career marks for passing yards, passing TDs and season TD passes. Collins has already set the school's single-season receiveing mark. He had two catches for 25 yards tonight.
New Palestine hosts Muncie Central next week in Sectional 13 play. Mt. Vernon (5-4, 3-4) is in the opposite half of the bracket, and visits Pendleton Heights in the game we will broadcast on HancockCountySports.com!
Elsewhere
Pendleton Heights 34, Greenfield-Central 3: The seventh-ranked Arabians have been on fire the last few weeks, and showed that again tonight. PH built an early 10-0 lead, extended it to a two-score game by halftime and pulled away in the second half. The Arabians finish the year with an 8-1 mark and 6-1 in the conference, showing a tremendous resurgence over the last two years. PH is a defending sectional champion and will go for back-to-back. PH visits Mt. Vernon in our HancockCountySports.com broadcast next week. G-C will host Muncie South in the other Sectional 13 bottom-bracket semifinal game.
Eastern Hancock 19, Edinburgh 0: The Royals register a shutout for the first time since 2005 in a victory over the Lancers. Coach Pat Echeverria's team wins two of its last three to head into the sectional. The Royals have shown themselves a strong team in the first year with a new head coach. At 3-6, they will visit Cambridge City Lincoln next week.
And in the HHC
Delta 45, Shelbyville 6: The Eagles are a force to be reckoned with, having won three straight games. Delta finishes the year 4-5 (6-3 on the field) and having allowed just 13 points the last two weeks. Eagles tie Greenfield-Central for 3rd in the conference with a 4-3 mark. Delta meets Frankfort in Sectional 13 action next week. Shelby hosts Columbus East in Sectional 15. Shelby is 1-8 (1-6).
Yorktown 28, Rushville 21: The Tigers win their second straight close game to finish in a fifth-place tie with Mt. Vernon in the HHC standings. Yorktown is now 3-4 in the HHC and 5-4 overall. Rushville is 2-7 (0-7) and has now dropped 15 straight HHC games.
Final HHC standings
New Palestine 7-0/9-0
Pendleton Heights 6-1/8-1
Greenfield-Central 4-3/5-4
Delta 4-3/4-5
Mt. Vernon 3-4/5-4
Yorktown 3-4/5-4
Shelbyville 1-6/1-8
Rushville 0-7/2-7
Final MIFC standings
Milan 5-0/8-1
Indian Creek 4-1/5-4
Triton Central 3-2/4-5
North Decatur 2-3/3-6
Eastern Hancock 1-4/3-6
South Decatur 0-5/2-7
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Week 9 -- lots on the line
It's one of my favorite times of year -- Boundary Rail time as Mt. Vernon and New Palestine renew their rivalry for the 48th time in 44 years. But that's not all in Hancock County football. We have the Greenfield-Central Cougars and Pendleton Heights Arabians playing for second in the HHC (for PH, it's a chance at first if NP loses). We have the Dragons trying to clinch the HHC outright for the second year in a row and break a 14-year-old HHC record for consecutive victories in conference games. We have Eastern Hancock looking for its third victory of the year in its season finale and get a boost going into the sectional.
And, of course, everyone knows the draw, so everyone will be looking ahead to next week when the records go to 0-0 and we start over.
But, of course, we have this week to get through first.
Our Game of the Week (live broadcast here)
#1/4 New Palestine (8-0, 6-0) at Mt. Vernon (5-3, 3-3), 7:30 p.m. (broadcast: HancockCountySports.com)
The Boundary Rail battle. These teams have been going at each other for years. You have the irresistable force -- a talented New Palestine offense that's poised to break every passing record the school has -- against the immovable object, a Mt. Vernon defense that has allowed just 17 points in regulation the last three games and went eight straight quarters without allowing a touchdown. MV has suffered some sizable injury losses in recent weeks, but did get RB Anthony Burnett back and coach Doug Armstrong's teams are always ready for rivalry games. Look for a battle between a great air attack led by NP's Connor Simmons vs. MV's solid ground game of Tyler Dicks and Burnett. Join Andrew Smith & Mike Jackson for the call at 7 p.m.
Greenfield-Central (5-3, 4-2) at #7/7 Pendleton Heights (7-1, 5-1), 7:30 p.m. (broadcast: WEEM-91.7, WRGF-89.7).
This game features a balanced PH offense that is scoring a ton of points -- cracking the 60-point barrier twice this season -- against a G-C defense that is scoring a ton of points. PH's Mitch Patishall has shown to be a tremendous QB over the past 3 years and wants to go out with a strong Senior Night showing. His three RBs all ran for 100 yards in last week's victory over Rushville. But G-C has a ballhawking, blitzing defense that makes life miserable for opposing offenses. The Cougars have nine return TDs this year, including an INT from Brant Boles last week. G-C produced three interceptions against a New Palestine team that rarely turns the ball over in last week's narrow 21-19 loss. Cougars are just four points away from being unbeaten in the conference, but this should be a great test.
Eastern Hancock (2-6) at Edinburgh (2-6), 7 p.m.: The Royals are significantly better than their record, but Edinburgh -- led by former Franklin College coach Bill Unsworth -- is an improving football program. Led by the Gilbert brothers, the Royals have been close several times and have a fourth-quarter comeback victory to their credit against South Decatur.
Elsewhere in the HHC
Delta (3-5, 3-3) at Shelbyville (1-7, 1-5), 7 p.m. (broadcast: WSVX-1520, www.wsvx.com): The Eagles have found their mojo again, as QB Ozzie Mann has begun spreading the ball around and the defense shut down MV's running game last week. Shelby has been right there, but turnovers have doomed the Golden Bears throughout the season.
Yorktown (4-4, 2-4) at Rushville (2-6, 0-6), 7 p.m. (broadcast: WIFE-94.3): Tigers coach Mike Wilhem showed some guts last week by going for 2 down 21-20 midway through the fourth quarter -- and being successful -- in a win at Shelbyville. Rushville is young and has struggled through much of the HHC schedule. The league's two 3A teams get an opportunity to see each other before the tourney begins.
Cougars advance to regional final
The Greenfield-Central boys soccer team moved on to the regional championship match tonight, scoring two goals within six minutes of each other to break a tie and beat Roncalli 3-1 in the 2A IHSAA regional semifinal at Mt. Vernon.
Just 84 seconds after Roncalli tied the game, Trent Barnhart scored the game-winner on a counterattack, and Bobby Gabrielsen added an insurance goal with just under 25 minutes to play to give the Cougars the 3-1 edge.
The Cougars (14-3-2) will play Center Grove (17-1-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday in the regional championship game at the Mt. Vernon soccer field. Our broadcast on HancockCountySports.com will begin at 6:45 p.m.
(Listen to the archive and Saturday night's G-C vs. Center Grove championship game here!)
G-C goalkeeper Collin Kleckner made nine saves in the game -- including a couple from point-blank range -- to keep Roncalli at bay.
The Cougars carried the play early, and cashed in when Angel Rodriguez scored 10:09 into the contest on a feed from Trent Barnhart into the box. Rodriguez fired a shot into the far-post netting from the left side to make it 1-0.
Kleckner made a couple of tough saves -- including one on Roncalli leading scorer Josh Brockman from point-blank range -- to keep it 1-0 going into halftime. His best save came early in the second, when he parried a perfectly-placed shot by Diego Valdez-Valencia off the crossbar. However, the rebound came back to the Rebels and was played to Brockman in the goalmouth to tie it at 1-1 just 8:02 into the second half.
It took just 84 seconds for the Cougars to tie it, as Gabrielsen carried the ball from midfield to the top right corner of the box. He slipped it through a couple of Rebel defenders to Adam Koers, who in turn fed Barnhart six yards away in front of the net. He put it away for his sixth goal of the year and a 2-1 Cougar lead.
Just 5:59 later, Gabrielsen scored after a free kick. Caleb Dunn took it from the offensive side of the center circle and served the box, where Gabrielsen took the ball and scored to make it 3-1.
Roncalli kept coming at Kleckner, but the G-C defense led by Zach Shoufler, Jim Vetters, Jeremiah Spencer and Brent Poling held the Rebels at bay and kept them from getting many good looks. Roncalli outshot G-C 15-9, but Kleckner made nine saves.
Just 84 seconds after Roncalli tied the game, Trent Barnhart scored the game-winner on a counterattack, and Bobby Gabrielsen added an insurance goal with just under 25 minutes to play to give the Cougars the 3-1 edge.
The Cougars (14-3-2) will play Center Grove (17-1-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday in the regional championship game at the Mt. Vernon soccer field. Our broadcast on HancockCountySports.com will begin at 6:45 p.m.
(Listen to the archive and Saturday night's G-C vs. Center Grove championship game here!)
G-C goalkeeper Collin Kleckner made nine saves in the game -- including a couple from point-blank range -- to keep Roncalli at bay.
The Cougars carried the play early, and cashed in when Angel Rodriguez scored 10:09 into the contest on a feed from Trent Barnhart into the box. Rodriguez fired a shot into the far-post netting from the left side to make it 1-0.
Kleckner made a couple of tough saves -- including one on Roncalli leading scorer Josh Brockman from point-blank range -- to keep it 1-0 going into halftime. His best save came early in the second, when he parried a perfectly-placed shot by Diego Valdez-Valencia off the crossbar. However, the rebound came back to the Rebels and was played to Brockman in the goalmouth to tie it at 1-1 just 8:02 into the second half.
It took just 84 seconds for the Cougars to tie it, as Gabrielsen carried the ball from midfield to the top right corner of the box. He slipped it through a couple of Rebel defenders to Adam Koers, who in turn fed Barnhart six yards away in front of the net. He put it away for his sixth goal of the year and a 2-1 Cougar lead.
Just 5:59 later, Gabrielsen scored after a free kick. Caleb Dunn took it from the offensive side of the center circle and served the box, where Gabrielsen took the ball and scored to make it 3-1.
Roncalli kept coming at Kleckner, but the G-C defense led by Zach Shoufler, Jim Vetters, Jeremiah Spencer and Brent Poling held the Rebels at bay and kept them from getting many good looks. Roncalli outshot G-C 15-9, but Kleckner made nine saves.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Soccer this week
We will have LIVE soccer both Thursday and Saturday this week on HancockCountySports.com!
On Thursday, join Andrew Smith at 6:45 p.m. for regional action from Mt. Vernon, as the Greenfield-Central boys face Roncalli. G-C is coming off its first sectional title since 2003 -- a year in which it also won a regional. Roncalli is the defending regional champion.
On Saturday, join us for more soccer at 6:45 p.m. If the G-C boys win, we'll have the Cougars' regional championship match against either Warren Central or Center Grove. If the G-C boys fall to Roncalli, we will have the Shelbyville girls regional championship match involving No. 11 New Palestine.
If either the Cougars or Dragons win the regional, we will follow both teams the rest of the tournament!
On Thursday, join Andrew Smith at 6:45 p.m. for regional action from Mt. Vernon, as the Greenfield-Central boys face Roncalli. G-C is coming off its first sectional title since 2003 -- a year in which it also won a regional. Roncalli is the defending regional champion.
On Saturday, join us for more soccer at 6:45 p.m. If the G-C boys win, we'll have the Cougars' regional championship match against either Warren Central or Center Grove. If the G-C boys fall to Roncalli, we will have the Shelbyville girls regional championship match involving No. 11 New Palestine.
If either the Cougars or Dragons win the regional, we will follow both teams the rest of the tournament!
Soccer: New Palestine beats Center Grove
The New Palestine Dragons girls soccer team trailed for more minutes this season than it had in the first 19 games combined.
Not that it mattered.
The Dragons scored three second-half goals to erase a second-half deficit and beat Center Grove 4-2 in the semifinals of the Shelbyville girls soccer regional. The Dragons will face Perry Meridian in Saturday's 7 p.m. championship match.
Junior Lauren Joray had two goals and an assist -- including scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals in the second half. She now has a team-high 18 goals on the year.
Joray's assist came just 37 seconds into the game, as she fed senior Lauren Kehrt for a quick goal that gave the Dragons a 1-0 lead.
It was Kehrt's 10th goal of the season.
With the way senior NPHS goalkeeper Holly Hilton has been playing -- posting a state-best 16 shutouts -- the Dragons appeared to be in good shape.
But the Trojans had other ideas. CG's Jenna Lixwiler scored with 6:37 left in the first half, and then Mackenzie Dean scored again for the Trojans 3:13 into the second to take a 2-1 lead.
The Dragons' deficit only lasted 10 minutes -- they had only trailed for seven during the season in two games. The Dragons won both games in which they were behind then, and won this one, too.
Joray buried a 25-yard shot with 26:51 left to tie it.
Then, the Dragons scored twice in 96 seconds to win it. Joray scored again on a shot from 20 yards on an assist from senior midfielder Lindsay Meyer 15:39 left. It was Meyer's team-best 21st assist, tying her with Columbus East's Sydney Newell for the state lead.
Senior Jordan Barton scored her third of the year unassisted from 25 yards out shortly thereafter to give the Dragons an insurance goal.
The Dragons outshot Center Grove 9-6.
The victory gave the Dragons a 17-0-3 record on the season, and for coach Dana Merrick, his 249th career coaching victory since 1985. He coached the boys from 1985-2001, and has coached the girls since 2003.
The victory was also the first-ever regional match victory for New Palestine in school history, and the first for a Hancock County school since Mt. Vernon in 1996.
The Dragons' regional title match against Perry Meridian will be a rematch of the Aug. 15 season opener. NP won that game 3-2.
The Dragons did see their 11-match unscored-upon streak end with Lixwiler's goal in the first half. In 20 games this season, the Dragons have allowed only six goals.
Not that it mattered.
The Dragons scored three second-half goals to erase a second-half deficit and beat Center Grove 4-2 in the semifinals of the Shelbyville girls soccer regional. The Dragons will face Perry Meridian in Saturday's 7 p.m. championship match.
Junior Lauren Joray had two goals and an assist -- including scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals in the second half. She now has a team-high 18 goals on the year.
Joray's assist came just 37 seconds into the game, as she fed senior Lauren Kehrt for a quick goal that gave the Dragons a 1-0 lead.
It was Kehrt's 10th goal of the season.
With the way senior NPHS goalkeeper Holly Hilton has been playing -- posting a state-best 16 shutouts -- the Dragons appeared to be in good shape.
But the Trojans had other ideas. CG's Jenna Lixwiler scored with 6:37 left in the first half, and then Mackenzie Dean scored again for the Trojans 3:13 into the second to take a 2-1 lead.
The Dragons' deficit only lasted 10 minutes -- they had only trailed for seven during the season in two games. The Dragons won both games in which they were behind then, and won this one, too.
Joray buried a 25-yard shot with 26:51 left to tie it.
Then, the Dragons scored twice in 96 seconds to win it. Joray scored again on a shot from 20 yards on an assist from senior midfielder Lindsay Meyer 15:39 left. It was Meyer's team-best 21st assist, tying her with Columbus East's Sydney Newell for the state lead.
Senior Jordan Barton scored her third of the year unassisted from 25 yards out shortly thereafter to give the Dragons an insurance goal.
The Dragons outshot Center Grove 9-6.
The victory gave the Dragons a 17-0-3 record on the season, and for coach Dana Merrick, his 249th career coaching victory since 1985. He coached the boys from 1985-2001, and has coached the girls since 2003.
The victory was also the first-ever regional match victory for New Palestine in school history, and the first for a Hancock County school since Mt. Vernon in 1996.
The Dragons' regional title match against Perry Meridian will be a rematch of the Aug. 15 season opener. NP won that game 3-2.
The Dragons did see their 11-match unscored-upon streak end with Lixwiler's goal in the first half. In 20 games this season, the Dragons have allowed only six goals.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Tuesday wrap: CC sectional results
Greenfield-Central, New Palestine and Mt. Vernon all saw their boys and girls teams advance out of today's sectional action.
Eastern Hancock also saw sophomore runner Kiersten Schrope advance as an individual out of the New Palestine sectional.
At New Palestine, both G-C and NP advanced.
In the girls race, Franklin Central (17) and Warren Central (68) were the top two teams. New Palestine (81) was third, Roncalli (118) fourth and Greenfield-Central (148) fifth.
The top county runner was Schrope, who finished ninth, running the 5K course in 21:05. She was the lone Royal to advance, as EH's girls finished seventh, two spots from advancing as a team.
Volleyball
Yorktown 3, Greenfield-Central 0: The Cougars fell 25-12, 25-7, 25-8 to Class 3A's top-ranked team on the road Tuesday.
Eastern Hancock also saw sophomore runner Kiersten Schrope advance as an individual out of the New Palestine sectional.
At New Palestine, both G-C and NP advanced.
In the girls race, Franklin Central (17) and Warren Central (68) were the top two teams. New Palestine (81) was third, Roncalli (118) fourth and Greenfield-Central (148) fifth.
The top county runner was Schrope, who finished ninth, running the 5K course in 21:05. She was the lone Royal to advance, as EH's girls finished seventh, two spots from advancing as a team.
For NP, sophomore Natalie Shields led the Dragons with a 12th-place finish and a 21:17 time. Junior Emily Trimpe finished 14th in 21:33. Izzy Fleetwood (17th), Kayla Medaris (18th) and Caroline Voelz (20th) all scored and finished in the top 20 in the 62-runner field.
G-C was led by Rebecca Flora (23rd). Also scoring were Katie McKeeman (26th), Emkly Dupnick (27th), Claire Talbott (34th) and Megan Morley (43rd).
Also scoring for EH were Hannah Miller (39th), Elizabeth Pettit (42nd), Alex Perkins (50th) and Hallie Wright (51st).
G-C was third in the boys race with a team score of 97. NP finished fifth with 148. Franklin Central (27) and Warren Central (57) were the top two, with Roncalli (99) placing fourth.
Sophomore Seth Eagleson led the Dragon boys -- and the county boys -- with a third-place finish and a 16:50 time -- 17 seconds shy of winner Jason Crist of Franklin Central, a three-time sectional champion.
G-C had two runners in the top 12, with Tyler Wilcher (11th, 17:24) and Garrett Benedict (12th, 17:39) the top Cougars. Also scoring were Christopher Tatom (20th), Jared McQueen (26th) and Syrus Fletcher (28th).
In addition to Eagleson, also scoring for the Dragons were Oliver Dockins (27th), Sam Jones (37th), Austin Dodd (39th) and Zach Nagel (42nd) in an 80-runner field.
EH's top runner was Parker West (66th). Also scoring were Tristian Holzhausen (67th), Jon Warburton (76th), Tim Warburton (77th) and Jacob Brown (78th).
The Cougars and Dragons will compete in Saturday's Rushville regional. The first race begins at 10:30 a.m.
Mt. Vernon's boys and girls also placed third at the Pendleton Heights sectional. No individual results are available as of yet. The Marauders will compete in Saturday's Delta regional.
Volleyball
Yorktown 3, Greenfield-Central 0: The Cougars fell 25-12, 25-7, 25-8 to Class 3A's top-ranked team on the road Tuesday.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Football poll: Dragons remain No. 1 in AP
For the third consecutive week, the New Palestine football team is No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. The Dragons are just ahead of Cathedral. This season marks the first time a New Palestine team has ever been ranked No. 1. The Indiana Football Coaches Association has the Dragons at No. 4 for the third straight week. The Sagarin computer rankings have New Palestine at No. 3, while the Gridiron Digest fan poll has the Dragons at No. 4 with a first-place vote.
This Friday night, the unbeaten Dragons will face arch-rival Mt. Vernon in the 48th meeting between the two neighbors, and the seventh for which the Boundary Rail trophy will be contested. A victory would also give NP its first unbeaten regular season since 1988 and fourth in school history. It would also give the Dragons the outright Hoosier Heritage Conference title. Listen to the game at HancockCountySports.com
One other Hoosier Heritage Conference team is ranked, as Pendleton Heights checks in at No. 7 in both major polls, moving up from No. 9 last week. The Gridiron Digest poll board has the Arabians at No. 5, as does Jeff Sagarin's computer.
Associated Press poll, Oct. 10
1. New Palestine (8-0)
2. Cathedral (5-3)
3. Columbus East (7-1)
4. East Central (8-0)
5. Leo (8-0)
6. Hammmond Morton (7-1)
7. Pendleton Heights (7-1)
8. Evansville Reitz (6-2)
9. Fort Wayne Dwenger (5-3)
10. New Haven (7-1)
Indiana Football Coaches Association poll, Oct. 10
1. Cathedral (5-3)
2. East Central (8-0)
3. Columbus East (7-1)
4. New Palestine (8-0)
5. Leo (8-0)
6. Hammond Morton (7-1)
7. Pendleton Heights (7-1)
8. Fort Wayne Dwenger (5-3)
9. New Haven (7-1)
10. Evansville Reitz (6-2)
Sagarin computer rankings 4A top 10, through Week 8
1. Cathedral (5-3)
2. Columbus East (7-1)
3. New Palestine (8-0)
4. Roncalli (5-3)
5. Pendleton Heights (7-1)
6. South Bend Washington (5-3)
7. Fort Wayne Dwenger (5-3)
8. Mishawaka (5-3)
9. East Central (8-0)
10. Greenwood (5-3)
The Gridiron Digest poll, Oct. 9
1. Cathedral (5-3)
2. Columbus East (7-1)
3. East Central (8-0)
4. New Palestine (8-0)
5. Pendleton Heights (7-1)
6. Leo (8-0)
7. Evansville Reitz (6-2)
8. Hammond Morton (7-1)
9. Fort Wayne Dwenger (5-3)
10. New Haven (7-1)
Volleyball pairings
The IHSAA drew the pairings for the 2011 volleyball tournament tonight. We announced them earlier on our Facebook & Twitter feeds, but here are the complete pairings.
All championship matches will be Oct. 22. First-round and semifinal matches will either be Oct. 18 and Oct. 20 or Oct. 20 and the morning of Oct. 22.
All feed a one-game regional to be played Oct. 25.
All feed a one-game regional to be played Oct. 25.
Class 4A at New Castle
First round
No. 4 New Castle vs. Greenfield-Central
Pendleton Heights vs. Anderson
Semifinals
First-round winners
Richmond vs. Connersville
Winner goes to: host the regional vs. LC sectional champ (Cathedral, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, Roncalli, Tech, Warren Central).
Winner goes to: host the regional vs. LC sectional champ (Cathedral, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, Roncalli, Tech, Warren Central).
Class 4A at Franklin
First round
Center Grove vs. Greenwood
New Palestine vs. Franklin Central
Semifinals
First-round winners
Whiteland vs. Franklin
Winner goes to: host the regional vs. Columbus North sectional champ (No. 7 Columbus East, Columbus North, Bloomington North/South, East Central).
Winner goes to: host the regional vs. Columbus North sectional champ (No. 7 Columbus East, Columbus North, Bloomington North/South, East Central).
Class 3A at Mt. Vernon
First round
Guerin Catholic vs. Arlington
Howe vs. No. 2 Brebeuf
Semifinals
First-round winners
Chatard vs. Mt. Vernon
Winner goes to: play at the Lebanon sectional champ in the regional (Crawfordsville, Frankfort, Lebanon, North Montgomery, North Putnam, Southmont, Western Boone).
Winner goes to: play at the Lebanon sectional champ in the regional (Crawfordsville, Frankfort, Lebanon, North Montgomery, North Putnam, Southmont, Western Boone).
Class 2A at Knightstown
First round
Hagerstown vs. Eastern Hancock
Union County vs. No. 5 Centerville
Knightstown vs. Northeastern
Semifinals
Cambridge City Lincoln vs. Hagerstown/EH winner
UC/Centerville winner vs. Ktown/NE winner
Winner goes to: host the regional against the Park Tudor sectional champ (Broad Ripple, Heritage Christian, Marshall, Park Tudor, Shortridge)
Winner goes to: host the regional against the Park Tudor sectional champ (Broad Ripple, Heritage Christian, Marshall, Park Tudor, Shortridge)
Monday wrap: MV beats NP
In the match we had tonight, Mt. Vernon had a big night, beating New Palestine 25-11, 25-14, 25-15 to sweep the Dragons in two matches a little more than 48 hours apart.
Jenna Amundson had 13 kills to lead the Marauders in the match. MV is now 21-8. NP is 19-10.
The Dragons have Senior Night forthcoming Thursday against Franklin. MV will host its Senior Night next Monday against Hamilton Southeastern. You can listen to that match LIVE on HancockCountySports.com!
Also, go to the same link for the broadcast archive of tonight's match.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Soccer pairings
The soccer regional pairings are set
2A boys soccer regional at Mt. Vernon
Thursday, Oct. 13
5 p.m.: #12 Center Grove (16-1-2) vs. Warren Central (5-12-1)
7 p.m.: Roncalli (11-5-1) vs. Greenfield-Central (13-3-2) (broadcast: www.hancockcountysports.com)
Saturday, Oct. 15
7 p.m.: Championship (HancockCountySports.com will broadcast if G-C wins semifinal match)
2A girls soccer regional at Shelbyville
Thursday, Oct. 13
5 p.m.: #11 New Palestine (16-0-3) vs. Center Grove (12-3-2)
7 p.m.: Warren Central (14-5-1) vs. Perry Meridian (14-5)
Saturday, Oct. 15
7 p.m.: Championship
(note: HancockCountySports.com will broadcast the championship match from Shelbyville if New Palestine's girls advance and Greenfield-Central's boys do not).
In addition to soccer, join us for two other broadcasts this week:
Monday: Volleyball: Mt. Vernon at New Palestine, 6:30 p.m. (approx. start time)
A rematch of Saturday's county title match, the Marauders visit the Dragons for their regular-season contest. MV won 25-18, 25-17 in the county final on Saturday, and the two teams have a quick turnaround this week.
Friday: Football: New Palestine at Mt. Vernon, 7 p.m.
The Battle for the Boundary Rail continues yet again with the 44th regular-season meeting between the two teams. NP c an win the outright HHC title with a win, and also can clinch its first unbeaten season since 1988 if it is successful. MV is trying to shake a two-game skid, but the Marauders have allowed just two touchdowns in the last 12 quarters of play. Last year's matchup was a 7-0 thriller won by the Dragons.
2A boys soccer regional at Mt. Vernon
Thursday, Oct. 13
5 p.m.: #12 Center Grove (16-1-2) vs. Warren Central (5-12-1)
7 p.m.: Roncalli (11-5-1) vs. Greenfield-Central (13-3-2) (broadcast: www.hancockcountysports.com)
Saturday, Oct. 15
7 p.m.: Championship (HancockCountySports.com will broadcast if G-C wins semifinal match)
2A girls soccer regional at Shelbyville
Thursday, Oct. 13
5 p.m.: #11 New Palestine (16-0-3) vs. Center Grove (12-3-2)
7 p.m.: Warren Central (14-5-1) vs. Perry Meridian (14-5)
Saturday, Oct. 15
7 p.m.: Championship
(note: HancockCountySports.com will broadcast the championship match from Shelbyville if New Palestine's girls advance and Greenfield-Central's boys do not).
In addition to soccer, join us for two other broadcasts this week:
Monday: Volleyball: Mt. Vernon at New Palestine, 6:30 p.m. (approx. start time)
A rematch of Saturday's county title match, the Marauders visit the Dragons for their regular-season contest. MV won 25-18, 25-17 in the county final on Saturday, and the two teams have a quick turnaround this week.
Friday: Football: New Palestine at Mt. Vernon, 7 p.m.
The Battle for the Boundary Rail continues yet again with the 44th regular-season meeting between the two teams. NP c an win the outright HHC title with a win, and also can clinch its first unbeaten season since 1988 if it is successful. MV is trying to shake a two-game skid, but the Marauders have allowed just two touchdowns in the last 12 quarters of play. Last year's matchup was a 7-0 thriller won by the Dragons.
IHSAA football tournament pairings
The IHSAA football tournament pairings have been announced. Here they are
In Class 4A's sectional 13, the three Hancock County schools all drew opposite each other. #1/4 New Palestine drew a 2-6 Muncie Central squad in the opening round. The teams have two common opponents -- NP beat Richmond 29-7 and Pendleton Heights 34-21. Muncie Central fell to PH 65-0 in Week 1, then fell to Richmond 23-19. Bearcats' wins came in Week 2 vs. Muncie South (38-6) and Week 4 vs. New Castle (28-26). The winner faces either Frankfort or Delta. Frankfort is winless, Delta 5-3 on the field and has played really well in recent weeks. Delta's defense found its way in a 12-7 victory over Mt. Vernon last week. NP and Delta would be favored in the first round. If they meet in the second round, it will be at Delta.
Greenfield-Central is much better than its 5-3 record shows -- the Cougars are four points away from being 7-1. The Cougars will face a 3-5 Muncie South team at home in the opening round. G-C would be a favorite on paper. South is 3-5, with wins over Connersville (twice) and Arlington. They have one common opponent. The Rebels also took Yorktown to overtime in Week 1 before falling 27-20. G-C beat Yorktown 23-20 in Week 4. Mt. Vernon will visit Pendleton Heights in a rematch of their Week 5 game. PH won that game 38-6, using a huge 21-point swing in the final four minutes of the opening half, but also using a strong offensive line push. If they advance, G-C would be on the road regardless in the second round, MV would be at home regardless.
Class 4A sectional 13
Muncie Central (2-6) at New Palestine (8-0)
Frankfort (0-8) at Delta (5-3 on the field)
Muncie South (3-5) at Greenfield-Central (5-3)
Mt. Vernon (5-3) at Pendleton Heights (7-1)
Eastern Hancock drew Cambridge City Lincoln in the opening round in a road game. CCL is 6-2. The two teams have two common opponents -- South Decatur and Wes-Del. Both teams are 2-0 against those common foes. CCL scores 37.5 ppg, allows 18.5 ppg. The Golden Eagles' two losses were a 42-27 loss to a strong 2A squad in Centerville and 20-7 last week to Union County.
Class A sectional 37
Indiana Deaf (0-8) at Northeastern (4-4)
Eastern Hancock (2-6) at Cambridge City Lincoln (6-2)
Knightstown (5-3) at Hagerstown (5-3)
Scecina (5-3) at Tri (0-8)
In the Hoosier Heritage ConferenceClass 3A sectional 19 (Yorktown)
Yorktown drew Class 3A #3/4 Eastbrook in its first-round game. Eastbrook is 5-3, but had to forfeit three games. The Tigers know that territory -- they gave one of 3A's top-ranked teams in Hamilton Heights a scare early in the tournament last year, leading the Huskies in the fourth quarter on the road.
Yorktown (4-4) at Eastbrook (8-0 on the field)
Bellmont (3-5) at Blackford (2-6)
Mississinewa (7-1) at Maconaquah (1-7)
Western (6-2) at Peru (0-8)
Class 3A sectional 22 (Rushville)
Rushville is in a very winnable Sectional 22. Only two teams -- Howe and Edgewood -- have winning records. Rushville is 2-0 in non-conference play and showed very well last year in the tournament. The Lions are young, but are battle-tested against a 4A schedule. The rest of the schools in the sectional primarily play in conferences with 3A schools and smaller.
Howe (5-3) at Edgewood (5-3)
Batesville (2-6) at Greensburg (3-5)
Brown County (4-4) at Rushville (2-6)
Beech Grove (0-8) at Indian Creek (4-4)
Class 4A sectional 15 (Shelbyville)
The Golden Bears got a tough draw with the top three teams in the sectional in their half of the bracket. Gunnar Kiel and Columbus East will meet a strong Shelby defense led by Ethan Runnebohm. Winner gets either unbeaten East Central or South Dearborn. The favored matchup would match up two top-five teams in the semifinals.
Richmond (3-5) at Franklin County (5-3)
Connersville (2-6) at New Castle (0-8)
East Central (8-0) at South Dearborn (6-2)
Columbus East (7-1) at Shelbyville (1-7)
In Class 4A's sectional 13, the three Hancock County schools all drew opposite each other. #1/4 New Palestine drew a 2-6 Muncie Central squad in the opening round. The teams have two common opponents -- NP beat Richmond 29-7 and Pendleton Heights 34-21. Muncie Central fell to PH 65-0 in Week 1, then fell to Richmond 23-19. Bearcats' wins came in Week 2 vs. Muncie South (38-6) and Week 4 vs. New Castle (28-26). The winner faces either Frankfort or Delta. Frankfort is winless, Delta 5-3 on the field and has played really well in recent weeks. Delta's defense found its way in a 12-7 victory over Mt. Vernon last week. NP and Delta would be favored in the first round. If they meet in the second round, it will be at Delta.
Greenfield-Central is much better than its 5-3 record shows -- the Cougars are four points away from being 7-1. The Cougars will face a 3-5 Muncie South team at home in the opening round. G-C would be a favorite on paper. South is 3-5, with wins over Connersville (twice) and Arlington. They have one common opponent. The Rebels also took Yorktown to overtime in Week 1 before falling 27-20. G-C beat Yorktown 23-20 in Week 4. Mt. Vernon will visit Pendleton Heights in a rematch of their Week 5 game. PH won that game 38-6, using a huge 21-point swing in the final four minutes of the opening half, but also using a strong offensive line push. If they advance, G-C would be on the road regardless in the second round, MV would be at home regardless.
Class 4A sectional 13
Muncie Central (2-6) at New Palestine (8-0)
Frankfort (0-8) at Delta (5-3 on the field)
Muncie South (3-5) at Greenfield-Central (5-3)
Mt. Vernon (5-3) at Pendleton Heights (7-1)
Eastern Hancock drew Cambridge City Lincoln in the opening round in a road game. CCL is 6-2. The two teams have two common opponents -- South Decatur and Wes-Del. Both teams are 2-0 against those common foes. CCL scores 37.5 ppg, allows 18.5 ppg. The Golden Eagles' two losses were a 42-27 loss to a strong 2A squad in Centerville and 20-7 last week to Union County.
Class A sectional 37
Indiana Deaf (0-8) at Northeastern (4-4)
Eastern Hancock (2-6) at Cambridge City Lincoln (6-2)
Knightstown (5-3) at Hagerstown (5-3)
Scecina (5-3) at Tri (0-8)
In the Hoosier Heritage ConferenceClass 3A sectional 19 (Yorktown)
Yorktown drew Class 3A #3/4 Eastbrook in its first-round game. Eastbrook is 5-3, but had to forfeit three games. The Tigers know that territory -- they gave one of 3A's top-ranked teams in Hamilton Heights a scare early in the tournament last year, leading the Huskies in the fourth quarter on the road.
Yorktown (4-4) at Eastbrook (8-0 on the field)
Bellmont (3-5) at Blackford (2-6)
Mississinewa (7-1) at Maconaquah (1-7)
Western (6-2) at Peru (0-8)
Class 3A sectional 22 (Rushville)
Rushville is in a very winnable Sectional 22. Only two teams -- Howe and Edgewood -- have winning records. Rushville is 2-0 in non-conference play and showed very well last year in the tournament. The Lions are young, but are battle-tested against a 4A schedule. The rest of the schools in the sectional primarily play in conferences with 3A schools and smaller.
Howe (5-3) at Edgewood (5-3)
Batesville (2-6) at Greensburg (3-5)
Brown County (4-4) at Rushville (2-6)
Beech Grove (0-8) at Indian Creek (4-4)
Class 4A sectional 15 (Shelbyville)
The Golden Bears got a tough draw with the top three teams in the sectional in their half of the bracket. Gunnar Kiel and Columbus East will meet a strong Shelby defense led by Ethan Runnebohm. Winner gets either unbeaten East Central or South Dearborn. The favored matchup would match up two top-five teams in the semifinals.
Richmond (3-5) at Franklin County (5-3)
Connersville (2-6) at New Castle (0-8)
East Central (8-0) at South Dearborn (6-2)
Columbus East (7-1) at Shelbyville (1-7)
Football pairings tonight
The IHSAA football pairings will be drawn at 7 p.m. tonight.
Click here or follow our blog, Facebook or Twitter feeds for the pairings.
You'll also be able to do the same for the volleyball pairings at 7 p.m. Monday!
Click here or follow our blog, Facebook or Twitter feeds for the pairings.
You'll also be able to do the same for the volleyball pairings at 7 p.m. Monday!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
On the pitch: G-C boys, NP girls win titles
Greenfield-Central and New Palestine essentially played a two-town soccer doubleheader for sectional championships today.
Greenfield-Central won the boys game 2-1 on two second-half goals. The game-winner came from Angel Rodriguez, who took a 25-yard shot from the left side that was hard and heavy -- and too heavy for the Dragons' goalkeeper to handle. It trickled through his hands and into the net with 19:44 to go.
G-C goalkeeper Collin Kleckner only faced two shots on goal -- making a save on a 20-yard shot by Wes Fox early in the game. The Cougars got on the board just under 10 minutes into the second half when Joe Hudson hit a hard shot from the top of the box into the far-post netting on Adam Koers' assist. But less than two minutes later, Fox was fouled from behind just inside the 18-yard stripe, giving the Dragons a penalty kick. John Ernster buried it into the lower left corner. It was his second penalty kick goal of the tournament.
Kleckner hasn't allowed a goal out of the run of play in the sectional -- both goals against were PKs.
Both teams had nine shots at the frame in the game.
G-C wins its third sectional title in school history -- the two previous ones coming in 1995 and 2003.
The Cougars (13-3-2) move on to play Roncalli in the Mt. Vernon regional next Thursday night. Our broadcast will begin at 6:45 p.m. (or 15 minutes before gametime) on HancockCountySports.com. Warren Central will face #12 Center Grove in the 5 p.m. semifinal.
Earlier in the afternoon, the New Palestine girls used two early goals from their leading goal scorers to beat Greenfield-Central 2-0. It was the Dragons' sixth consecutive sectional championship.
Lauren Joray scored her 16th goal of the year on a beautiful shot from the top right side of the box into the upper-left corner of the net just 5:30 into the game. NP added another goal seven minutes later when Lindsay Meyer's quick-restart free kick found Kalli Shepler-Tucker for a goal to make it 2-0. Shepler-Tucker scored her 11th of the year -- for Meyer, it was her 20th assist, second-most in the state.
NP's Holly Hilton had the shutout for her 16th of the year. That is one short of the school record of 17 -- which Hilton set two years ago as a sophomore. NP has allowed just four goals this season -- the school record is seven.
NP had 12 shots on goal to G-C's 3.
The Dragons, ranked No. 11 in Class 2A, move on to the Shelbyville regional to face Center Grove at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will face either Warren Central or Perry Meridian/Franklin Central. No final from that game yet, although PM would have been a heavy favorite.
Marauders win volleyball title
Mt. Vernon beat New Palestine 25-17, 25-18 to win the Hancock County volleyball championship this afternoon.
The Marauders used a late rally to win the opening game, then pulled away. Jessie Earl had 6 kills and an ace to lead MV, which is now 20-8 on the year. NP is now 19-9. The two teams will meet again Monday night at approximately 6:30 p.m. We will have the broadcast on HancockCountySports.com.
The Marauders used a late rally to win the opening game, then pulled away. Jessie Earl had 6 kills and an ace to lead MV, which is now 20-8 on the year. NP is now 19-9. The two teams will meet again Monday night at approximately 6:30 p.m. We will have the broadcast on HancockCountySports.com.
County volley final set
It's Mt. Vernon vs. New Palestine for the county volleyball championship.
MV comes into the match with a 20-8 record. NP is 19-8.
Mt. Vernon beat Eastern Hancock 25-12, 25-18 in the main gym semifinal. New Palestine beat Greenfield-Central 25-20, 25-19 in the auxiliary gym.
The two teams will play again Monday night at NP at approx. 6:30 p.m. Join Chris Lambert for the broadcast of BOTH matches. The championship match is going on now.
LISTEN LIVE LINK!
Don't forget to join us for soccer tonight: New Palestine vs. Greenfield-Central in the boys soccer sectional final at 7:15 p.m., at the same link above. We'll also bring you the regional at 6:45 p.m. Thursday between the winner of tonight's game and either Roncalli or Perry Meridian from Mt. Vernon.
Also, we'll give you updates from the girls game between No. 11 New Palestine and Greenfield-Central, which gets underway at 5 p.m. from NP. The winner plays in next Wednesday's Shelbyville regional at 5 p.m. against Center Grove, which beat Franklin 5-0 this morning to win its sectional.
MV comes into the match with a 20-8 record. NP is 19-8.
Mt. Vernon beat Eastern Hancock 25-12, 25-18 in the main gym semifinal. New Palestine beat Greenfield-Central 25-20, 25-19 in the auxiliary gym.
The two teams will play again Monday night at NP at approx. 6:30 p.m. Join Chris Lambert for the broadcast of BOTH matches. The championship match is going on now.
LISTEN LIVE LINK!
Don't forget to join us for soccer tonight: New Palestine vs. Greenfield-Central in the boys soccer sectional final at 7:15 p.m., at the same link above. We'll also bring you the regional at 6:45 p.m. Thursday between the winner of tonight's game and either Roncalli or Perry Meridian from Mt. Vernon.
Also, we'll give you updates from the girls game between No. 11 New Palestine and Greenfield-Central, which gets underway at 5 p.m. from NP. The winner plays in next Wednesday's Shelbyville regional at 5 p.m. against Center Grove, which beat Franklin 5-0 this morning to win its sectional.
Saturday Morning QB: It's down to NP & PH
New Palestine has clinched a piece of the Hoosier Heritage Conference title. Pendleton Heights still has a shot but needs some help from Mt. Vernon, and also needs to beat a pretty good Greenfield-Central team.
Not only that, but those four teams -- plus perennial power Delta -- will all face each other in the next three weeks as they're all part of the same sectional.
New Palestine 21, Greenfield-Central 19: Our game was a wild rivalry game -- coming down to the last on-side kick. Full of big plays, each team had a scoring flurry, three interceptions and a big return. NP's Connor Simmons threw for 238 yards, but the biggest plays came from Scott Lyons with a 91-yard kick return that set up a TD, and from Austin Monday, who had a 33-yard TD to ice it. G-C had two touchdowns in 14 seconds, and a late TD on a 52-yard pass to Josh Applegate, but it turned out to not be enough. NP clinches at least a tie for the HHC title and remains unbeaten on the year. G-C is now 5-3 (4-2).
Broadcast archive | Indianapolis Star | Daily Reporter
Delta 12, Mt. Vernon 7: The Eagles held MV to 109 yards of offense in the game. Ozzie Mann threw TD passes to Jake Greenberg and Landon Lambert to give Delta a 12-0 lead going into the third. Anthony Burnett scored the lone TD for MV, which is now 5-3 and 3-3 in HHC play. Delta is 5-3 on the field (3-5 due to forfeits) and also 3-3, in a two-way tie for fourth place in the conference.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press roundup
Shenandoah 53, Eastern Hancock 6: The Royals fell behind 16-0 in the opening four minutes and unbeaten Shenandoah led 35-0 at halftime. Logan Gilbert scored a late touchdown for EH, which is now 2-6, against one of Class 2A's top teams. Shenandoah's Dylan Hamm rushed for 172 yards.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Elsewhere in the HHC
Pendleton Heights 69, Rushville 3: The Arabians honored coach John Broughton for his 200th win, and then scored on their first 10 possessions -- including one with the junior varsity offense -- in the victory. It was the second time PH had broken the 60-point mark this year -- also doing so against Muncie Central in Week 1. Clint Nicholson, Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow all ran for 100 yards. Nicholson had 5 TDs -- including three through the air. PH is 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference with a home game next week against Greenfield-Central. The Arabians can win a share of the title with a victory and a New Palestine loss. Rushville is 2-6 (0-6).
Anderson Herald-Bulletin
Yorktown 22, Shelbyville 21: Coach Mike Wilhelm went with a gutsy call late -- going for two after QB Joe Todd scored a TD with 5:44 left -- and converted to give the Tigers their second HHC victory of the year. Brendon Barnes ran for 176 yards for the Tigers (4-4, 2-4). Shelby is 1-7 and 1-5 in the HHC.
Shelbyville News | Muncie Star-Press roundup
HHC standings
#1/4 New Palestine 6-0/8-0
#9/9 Pendleton Heights 5-1/7-1
Greenfield-Central 4-2/5-3
Mt. Vernon 3-3/5-3
Delta 3-3/3-5 (5-3 on the field)
Yorktown 2-4/4-4
Shelbyville 1-5/1-7
Rushville 0-6/2-6
Next week
New Palestine at Mt. Vernon, 7:30 p.m. (broadcast: www.hancockcountysports.com)
Greenfield-Central at Pendleton Heights, 7:30 p.m.
Delta at Shelbyville, 7 p.m.
Yorktown at Rushville, 7 p.m.
MIFC standings
Milan 4-0/7-1
Triton Central 3-1/4-4
Indian Creek 3-1/4-4
North Decatur 2-3/3-5
Eastern Hancock 1-4/2-6
South Decatur 0-4/2-6
Next week
Eastern Hancock at Edinburgh, 7 p.m.
Indian Creek at South Decatur, 7 p.m.
Milan at Triton Central, 7 p.m.
North Decatur at Greensburg, 7 p.m.
*-Milan has clinched a piece of the MIFC title, but a Triton Central victory and an Indian Creek victory next week could forge a 3-way tie.
Not only that, but those four teams -- plus perennial power Delta -- will all face each other in the next three weeks as they're all part of the same sectional.
New Palestine 21, Greenfield-Central 19: Our game was a wild rivalry game -- coming down to the last on-side kick. Full of big plays, each team had a scoring flurry, three interceptions and a big return. NP's Connor Simmons threw for 238 yards, but the biggest plays came from Scott Lyons with a 91-yard kick return that set up a TD, and from Austin Monday, who had a 33-yard TD to ice it. G-C had two touchdowns in 14 seconds, and a late TD on a 52-yard pass to Josh Applegate, but it turned out to not be enough. NP clinches at least a tie for the HHC title and remains unbeaten on the year. G-C is now 5-3 (4-2).
Broadcast archive | Indianapolis Star | Daily Reporter
Delta 12, Mt. Vernon 7: The Eagles held MV to 109 yards of offense in the game. Ozzie Mann threw TD passes to Jake Greenberg and Landon Lambert to give Delta a 12-0 lead going into the third. Anthony Burnett scored the lone TD for MV, which is now 5-3 and 3-3 in HHC play. Delta is 5-3 on the field (3-5 due to forfeits) and also 3-3, in a two-way tie for fourth place in the conference.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press roundup
Shenandoah 53, Eastern Hancock 6: The Royals fell behind 16-0 in the opening four minutes and unbeaten Shenandoah led 35-0 at halftime. Logan Gilbert scored a late touchdown for EH, which is now 2-6, against one of Class 2A's top teams. Shenandoah's Dylan Hamm rushed for 172 yards.
Daily Reporter | Muncie Star-Press
Elsewhere in the HHC
Pendleton Heights 69, Rushville 3: The Arabians honored coach John Broughton for his 200th win, and then scored on their first 10 possessions -- including one with the junior varsity offense -- in the victory. It was the second time PH had broken the 60-point mark this year -- also doing so against Muncie Central in Week 1. Clint Nicholson, Jacob Lyons and Jon Furrow all ran for 100 yards. Nicholson had 5 TDs -- including three through the air. PH is 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference with a home game next week against Greenfield-Central. The Arabians can win a share of the title with a victory and a New Palestine loss. Rushville is 2-6 (0-6).
Anderson Herald-Bulletin
Yorktown 22, Shelbyville 21: Coach Mike Wilhelm went with a gutsy call late -- going for two after QB Joe Todd scored a TD with 5:44 left -- and converted to give the Tigers their second HHC victory of the year. Brendon Barnes ran for 176 yards for the Tigers (4-4, 2-4). Shelby is 1-7 and 1-5 in the HHC.
Shelbyville News | Muncie Star-Press roundup
HHC standings
#1/4 New Palestine 6-0/8-0
#9/9 Pendleton Heights 5-1/7-1
Greenfield-Central 4-2/5-3
Mt. Vernon 3-3/5-3
Delta 3-3/3-5 (5-3 on the field)
Yorktown 2-4/4-4
Shelbyville 1-5/1-7
Rushville 0-6/2-6
Next week
New Palestine at Mt. Vernon, 7:30 p.m. (broadcast: www.hancockcountysports.com)
Greenfield-Central at Pendleton Heights, 7:30 p.m.
Delta at Shelbyville, 7 p.m.
Yorktown at Rushville, 7 p.m.
MIFC standings
Milan 4-0/7-1
Triton Central 3-1/4-4
Indian Creek 3-1/4-4
North Decatur 2-3/3-5
Eastern Hancock 1-4/2-6
South Decatur 0-4/2-6
Next week
Eastern Hancock at Edinburgh, 7 p.m.
Indian Creek at South Decatur, 7 p.m.
Milan at Triton Central, 7 p.m.
North Decatur at Greensburg, 7 p.m.
*-Milan has clinched a piece of the MIFC title, but a Triton Central victory and an Indian Creek victory next week could forge a 3-way tie.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wild night: Dragons win, clinch piece of HHC
What a wild game we had tonight at Greenfield-Central's Cougar Stadium.
Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine held on to beat Greenfield-Central 21-19 tonight, overcoming several big plays by the Cougars and an avalanche of momentum coming their way in the final 14 minutes.
The Dragons built an early 14-0 lead, but two Cougar big plays turned into touchdowns 14 seconds apart in the third, and another big play made it close.
Big plays were the name of the game as both defenses made it nearly impossible to have a sustained drive. The teams combined for nine turnovers in the game.
The game was also an emotional one, as the two teams combined for more than 180 yards in penalties, and those emotions often spilled into the crowd, which was a passionate one for both sides.
Things went NP's way early -- Scott Lyons ran the opening kickoff 91 yards to the G-C 3, setting up a TD by Austin Monday. After an exchange of turnovers, the Dragons' Connor Simmons hooked up with Brandon Collins from 50 yards out on 2nd-and-22 to make it a 14-0 game with four minutes to go in the opening quarter
The Dragon defense produced three takeaways on three G-C drives in the second, but the Cougars' blitzing defense stiffened when the Dragons would push into G-C territory.
After the teams traded field position for several drives in the third, G-C got a big play when QB Derek Conley broke off a 52-yard run, setting up a touchdown. Then, 14 seconds later, Brant Boles ran an interception in from 25 yards out. G-C missed both extra points -- a kick and a two-point conversion pass -- and the Dragons saw their lead shrink to 14-12 with 1:42 to go in the third.
Austin Monday broke several tackles in a 33-yard TD run with 1:49 left to make it a 21-12 game -- Wes Fox's extra point made it a two-possession game. That turned out to be key when Josh Applegate reeled in a deflected 52-yard TD pass for G-C one minute later. Brandon Wiggins recovered the ensuing on-side kick to give the Dragons the victory.
A fumbled snap gave the Cougars the ball in NP territory, but the Dragon defense held on a first-and-goal situation and forced a field goal attempt that went wide left. The Dragons were then able to respond with Monday's TD -- which came after Brandon Wiggins caught a huge 23-yard pass on third down to help the Dragons ice the game.
Monday ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Dragon QB Connor Simmons completed 14-of-29 passes for 238 yards and a TD -- his eighth 200+-yard game of the year. WR Brandon Collins had seven catches for 117 yards and a TD. Simmons will need less than 30 yards next week to break the 2,000-yard mark for the season. The Dragon defense produced five turnovers, while the Cougars had three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Conley led a balanced G-C rushing attack with 65 yards. All in all, the Cougars gained 188 yards on the ground. The teams were dead-even in total yards. The teams were nearly dead-even in yards -- the Dragons had 293, the Cougars 288. But the Dragons were able to win their 16th straight regular-season game and 19th straight HHC game. And they became HHC champions for the second straight year.
NP is now 8-0 and 6-0 in conference play. G-C is 5-3 and 4-2 in HHC play, alone in third place.
Elsewhere in Hancock County
Delta 12, Mt. Vernon 7: Anthony Burnett returned to the Marauder lineup and scored a touchdown, but Delta was able to turn an early lead into the victory at Mt. Vernon Stadium. The Marauders fell to 5-3, and both teams are now 3-3 in the HHC standings.
Shenandoah 53, Eastern Hancock 6: Shenandoah showed why it's one of the top small-school teams in Indiana with the victory tonight. Ranked No. 10 in Class 2A, the Raiders are unbeaten at 8-0. EH (2-6) plays at Edinburgh next week.
Elsewhere in the HHC
Pendleton Heights 69, Rushville 3: The Arabians had a 21-0 lead at the end of one, built it to 35-3 at the half and rolled to a victory over the Lions. Ranked No. 9 in Class 4A, PH is now in second place in the HHC with a 5-1 mark and a 7-1 overall record. The Arabians host Greenfield-Central next week.
Yorktown 22, Shelbyville 21: Great game tonight at Shelbyville. Brody Runyon powered in for a two-point conversion in the closing minutes after QB Joe Todd scored on a quarterback sneak. The Tigers are now 4-4 (2-4). Shelby falls to 1-7 (1-5).
Standings
#1/4 New Palestine 6-0/8-0 (at MV)
#9/9 Pendleton Heights 5-1/7-1 (vs G-C)
Greenfield-Central 4-2/5-3 (at PH)
Mt. Vernon 3-3/5-3 (vs. NP)
Delta 3-3/3-5 (5-3 on the field, at Shelby)
Yorktown 2-4/4-4 (at Rushville)
Shelbyville 1-5/1-7 (vs. Delta)
Rushville 0-6/2-6 (vs. Yorktown)
Next Friday night: Join Andrew, Chris and Mike as they broadcast the Battle for the Boundary Rail between Mt. Vernon and New Palestine. The Dragons can clinch an outright HHC championship with a victory. Tune in at 7 p.m., kickoff is 7:30 on www.hancockcountysports.com
Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine held on to beat Greenfield-Central 21-19 tonight, overcoming several big plays by the Cougars and an avalanche of momentum coming their way in the final 14 minutes.
The Dragons built an early 14-0 lead, but two Cougar big plays turned into touchdowns 14 seconds apart in the third, and another big play made it close.
Big plays were the name of the game as both defenses made it nearly impossible to have a sustained drive. The teams combined for nine turnovers in the game.
The game was also an emotional one, as the two teams combined for more than 180 yards in penalties, and those emotions often spilled into the crowd, which was a passionate one for both sides.
Things went NP's way early -- Scott Lyons ran the opening kickoff 91 yards to the G-C 3, setting up a TD by Austin Monday. After an exchange of turnovers, the Dragons' Connor Simmons hooked up with Brandon Collins from 50 yards out on 2nd-and-22 to make it a 14-0 game with four minutes to go in the opening quarter
The Dragon defense produced three takeaways on three G-C drives in the second, but the Cougars' blitzing defense stiffened when the Dragons would push into G-C territory.
After the teams traded field position for several drives in the third, G-C got a big play when QB Derek Conley broke off a 52-yard run, setting up a touchdown. Then, 14 seconds later, Brant Boles ran an interception in from 25 yards out. G-C missed both extra points -- a kick and a two-point conversion pass -- and the Dragons saw their lead shrink to 14-12 with 1:42 to go in the third.
Austin Monday broke several tackles in a 33-yard TD run with 1:49 left to make it a 21-12 game -- Wes Fox's extra point made it a two-possession game. That turned out to be key when Josh Applegate reeled in a deflected 52-yard TD pass for G-C one minute later. Brandon Wiggins recovered the ensuing on-side kick to give the Dragons the victory.
A fumbled snap gave the Cougars the ball in NP territory, but the Dragon defense held on a first-and-goal situation and forced a field goal attempt that went wide left. The Dragons were then able to respond with Monday's TD -- which came after Brandon Wiggins caught a huge 23-yard pass on third down to help the Dragons ice the game.
Monday ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Dragon QB Connor Simmons completed 14-of-29 passes for 238 yards and a TD -- his eighth 200+-yard game of the year. WR Brandon Collins had seven catches for 117 yards and a TD. Simmons will need less than 30 yards next week to break the 2,000-yard mark for the season. The Dragon defense produced five turnovers, while the Cougars had three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Conley led a balanced G-C rushing attack with 65 yards. All in all, the Cougars gained 188 yards on the ground. The teams were dead-even in total yards. The teams were nearly dead-even in yards -- the Dragons had 293, the Cougars 288. But the Dragons were able to win their 16th straight regular-season game and 19th straight HHC game. And they became HHC champions for the second straight year.
NP is now 8-0 and 6-0 in conference play. G-C is 5-3 and 4-2 in HHC play, alone in third place.
Elsewhere in Hancock County
Delta 12, Mt. Vernon 7: Anthony Burnett returned to the Marauder lineup and scored a touchdown, but Delta was able to turn an early lead into the victory at Mt. Vernon Stadium. The Marauders fell to 5-3, and both teams are now 3-3 in the HHC standings.
Shenandoah 53, Eastern Hancock 6: Shenandoah showed why it's one of the top small-school teams in Indiana with the victory tonight. Ranked No. 10 in Class 2A, the Raiders are unbeaten at 8-0. EH (2-6) plays at Edinburgh next week.
Elsewhere in the HHC
Pendleton Heights 69, Rushville 3: The Arabians had a 21-0 lead at the end of one, built it to 35-3 at the half and rolled to a victory over the Lions. Ranked No. 9 in Class 4A, PH is now in second place in the HHC with a 5-1 mark and a 7-1 overall record. The Arabians host Greenfield-Central next week.
Yorktown 22, Shelbyville 21: Great game tonight at Shelbyville. Brody Runyon powered in for a two-point conversion in the closing minutes after QB Joe Todd scored on a quarterback sneak. The Tigers are now 4-4 (2-4). Shelby falls to 1-7 (1-5).
Standings
#1/4 New Palestine 6-0/8-0 (at MV)
#9/9 Pendleton Heights 5-1/7-1 (vs G-C)
Greenfield-Central 4-2/5-3 (at PH)
Mt. Vernon 3-3/5-3 (vs. NP)
Delta 3-3/3-5 (5-3 on the field, at Shelby)
Yorktown 2-4/4-4 (at Rushville)
Shelbyville 1-5/1-7 (vs. Delta)
Rushville 0-6/2-6 (vs. Yorktown)
Next Friday night: Join Andrew, Chris and Mike as they broadcast the Battle for the Boundary Rail between Mt. Vernon and New Palestine. The Dragons can clinch an outright HHC championship with a victory. Tune in at 7 p.m., kickoff is 7:30 on www.hancockcountysports.com
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