QB — Zach Neligh
New Palestine, senior
Neligh, the Dragons senior signal-caller, was the county’s most efficient passer and a true dual-threat quarterback. He passed for 1,572 yards and 14 touchdowns, with just two interceptions, completing 61 percent of his passes. He added 1,044 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns. He was named all-Hoosier Heritage Conference and all-state after leading the Dragons to a 14-0 season and a state championship.
RB — Charlie Spegal
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New Palestine, junior
The Hancock County Offensive Player of the Year had a monster of a season, breaking records and winning a state championship. Spegal had triple the yardage of any other runner in the county, finishing with 3,356 yards, a number that was tops in the entire nation. His 68 rushing and 70 total touchdowns both led the nation and set new Indiana records. He was named all-HHC and earned a spot on the all-state Top 50 team.
RB — Rylan Cole
Mt. Vernon, sophomore
Cole stepped up for the Marauders after his older brother was injured halfway through the season. The sophomore rushed for 854 yards in the team’s final six games, including two 200-yard performances. Cole trailed only Spegal in yards per carry and touchdowns, finishing his season with 968 yards on 7.2 ypc and 14 TDs. Like Spegal, Cole was named all-HHC.
WR — Colby Jenkins
New Palestine, senior
Jenkins, a senior, proved to be Zach Neligh’s most reliable receiving target, tying for the county lead in touchdowns and finishing second in Hancock County in both yards and yards per catch. On the season, Jenkins had 31 catches for 541 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 17.5 ypc. He was named all-HHC.
WR — Jake Vance
Greenfield-Central, sophomore
The Cougars sophomore had a breakout season, leading the county in catches, yards and touchdowns. Vance far outdistanced the county competition in yardage, with 751 yards receiving on 43 receptions, good for 17.5 yards per catch. His six touchdowns tied for the county lead. He finished the season as the HHC’s leader in receiving yards.
WR — Cole Rainbolt
Eastern Hancock, freshman
The lone freshman on the list, Rainbolt had a breakout season on both sides of the ball for the Royals. He was second in Hancock County with 42 catches, proving to be a safety valve for freshman quarterback Houston Swan. Rainbolt finished his first season with 479 yards and four touchdowns.
OL — Austin Keele
New Palestine, senior
Keele, an all-HHC selection and a Top 50 all-state player, was the Dragons’ leader on the offensive line. As the starting center, he was the leader of the line, helping New Palestine pave the way for what was a record-breaking season from Charlie Spegal.
OL — Alex Cotterman
New Palestine, senior
The other senior on New Palestine’s highly-touted offensive line, Cotterman stepped into more of a leadership role for his final season. With the rest of his linemates, he helped the Dragons control the trenches, as the team ran for over 5,000 yards this season.
OL — Jake Skotnicki
Mt. Vernon, senior
Skotnicki, a senior leader for the Marauders line, helped protect quarterback Tyson Harley while also opening running lanes for Dylan and Rylan Cole. He was an all-HHC selection after a strong senior season at the center position.
OL — Brady Stephens
Eastern Hancock, senior
Stephens was selected as an all-Mid-Eastern Conference player, one of three Royals who made the team. He was tasked with helping to protect a freshman quarterback and also helped the line make room for Victor Olivo, a 1,000-yard running back.
OL — Kyle King
New Palestine, junior
A dominant force on both sides of the ball, King was a crucial piece to the Dragons success on both offense and defense. The New Palestine right tackle was tasked with protecting quarterback Zach Neligh’s blind side and run-blocking for the Dragons prolific attack.
Honorable Mention
QB – Tyson Harley, Mt. Vernon, senior. RB – Victor Olivo, Eastern Hancock, junior. WR – J.P. Fuchs, Greenfield-Central, sophomore; DaRell Jackson, Mt. Vernon, senior; Braxton Trittipo, Mt. Vernon, senior. OL – Charlie Moore, Mt. Vernon, junior; Jacob Brittsan, New Palestine, junior; Noah Mack, New Palestine, sophomore.
