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.