Week 6: HHC showdowns set

In our pregame column, we mentioned tonight as the night when the top half of the HHC played the bottom half, and things would either sort themselves out into a 4-team race, or an upset or two could completely rearrange things. 

The top four teams all won, setting up a really nice showdown at the top of the HHC that will be sorted out pretty quickly. 

In our broadcast, Mt. Vernon's defense produced six turnovers to beat Shelbyville 20-5. It was a defensive slugfest that Tyler Dicks broke through on twice -- first to give MV the lead, second to ice the game. 

But the big story was the Marauders' defense. In the first half, Shelbyville had the upper hand field position-wise, but the Marauders managed to keep the Golden Bears out of the end zone despite two different first-and-goal situations. On the first, MV held the Bears to a field goal -- which was immediately answered by a 67-yard TD drive that ended in Dicks' 26-yard run. On the second, Trey Wood intercepted a pass in the end zone that preserved a 7-3 edge at halftime. 

When Jordan Miller hit Corey White in stride with a 53-yard TD pass in the third quarter, it appeared MV's 13-3 lead would be hard to overcome. But Shelbyville started to win the battle of field position -- pinning MV inside its 10, then the Marauders would punt it back out to the 40, and repeat for several straight punts. MV flinched first, taking a safety when Miller slipped in the end zone. That made it 13-5 -- a one-score game. 

But MV's defense produced three straight interceptions on Shelbyville's last three possessions -- including one on the final play of the game -- to end it. Dicks iced it with a 65-yard run around right end in the final three minutes, giving him 126 for the night. 

MV is 5-1/3-1. Shelby is 1-5/1-3. 

The Marauders visit Greenfield-Central in our Game of the Week broadcast on www.hancockcountysports.com. Airtime is 6:30 p.m. 

Also tonight: 

New Palestine 49, Yorktown 14: The Dragons kept rolling, showing why they have a No. 3 ranking in Class 4A and are tops in the HHC with a 6-0/3-0 record. 

Scott Lyons ran the opening kickoff back 90 yards for a TD. Josh Penley caught two TD passes and ran an interception back for another. The Dragons rolled again ahead of next week's home game against Shelbyville. 

Greenfield-Central 49, Rushville 12: Matt Dickerson had three early TDs to give the Cougars a victory. G-C never trailed and is playing some strong football ahead of next week's showdown with county rival Mt. Vernon on www.hancockcountysports.com. Cougars are now 4-2/3-1. Rushville is 2-4/0-4. 

North Decatur 28, Eastern Hancock 14: The Royals rallied to tie the game, but ND was able to re-take the lead in the fourth quarter. EH now 1-5 with Wes-Del visiting for Senior Night next week. 

Pendleton Heights 31, Delta 12: The Arabians showed their offensive diversity. Jon Furrow ran for 113 yards as PH won in its special homecoming black uniforms over Delta. PH -- ranked No,. 10 by the AP -- is now 5-1 and 3-1 in conference play. Delta is 1-5 (3-3 on the field) and 1-3. 

HHC standings

New Palestine 4-0/6-0

Mt. Vernon 3-1/5-1

Pendleton Heights 3-1/5-1

Greenfield-Central 3-1/4-2

Yorktown 1-3/3-3

Delta 1-3/1-5

Shelbyville 1-3/1-5

Rushville 0-4/2-4

Next week

Hancock County

Mt. Vernon at Greenfield-Central, 7 p.m. (broadcast: www.hancockcountysports.com)

Wes-Del at Eastern Hancock, 7 p.m.

Shelbyville at New Palestine, 7:30 p.m. 

HHC

Rushville at Delta, 7 p.m.

Pendleton Heights at Yorktown, 7:30 p.m.