NEW PALESTINE — It’s the one game Dragon football fans have been hoping for since last summer — a chance to watch their team play for a state title.
Dragon faithful saw the wish become reality Saturday evening, when No. 1 New Palestine beat No. 3 Michigan City, 35-10, in the semistate game.
The IHSAA 5A State Championship game pits top ranked New Palestine (13-0) against No. 2 Decatur Central High School (12-1). The game is set to kick off at Lucas Oil Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. If past games are any indication, Dragon fans are expected to gather in force.
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New Palestine High School students, staff and teachers are off for Thanksgiving break, but team supporters are nevertheless ramping up during an exciting time for the school district and community.
Fans are being encouraged to be part of the “Red Out” game and wear red to support the Dragons, who are trying to win their second state championship in football but their first at the 5A level.
This will be the second chance to win a championship at a higher classification. They lost the 5A title in 2015. (The Dragons’ other title, in 2014, was at 4A.)
“We’re trying to create this legacy of the first-ever,” athletic director Al Cooper said. “We are doing something special for a school our size.”
Before each game, officials with the Grid Iron Alliance, the Dragons booster club, hold a tailgate party. The organization is working to secure a parking lot just south of Lucas Oil Stadium, one they’ve used in years past, to keep the tradition going.
“I hope anyone not tailgating will do that,” GIA President Ed Bogle said.
Bogle and other Dragon faithful are counting on the community to venture to Lucas Oil Stadium to help support the team in its title quest.
The last time New Palestine was at the state title game, in 2015, Bogle remembers seeing a photo showing a sea of red clad New Palestine fans who filled the lower section of seats at Lucas Oil Stadium. He hopes for the same Saturday.
In what has become another Dragon tradition during championship week, the football family is holding a Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday night. The meal is set for after Wednesday’s practice in the school’s cafeteria, where parents from the GIA will provide a huge feast for the coaches and players.
For parents like Bogle, whose son David is a senior on the team, championship week is a dream come true.
“This is a unique experience for my son, the kids on the team and everyone in the town,” Bogle said.
The family has lived in New Palestine for more than 50 years and knows how excited parents, fans and community members are for the chance to represent at state.
But fans looking for a pep rally or special team send-off can forget it.
The team will not do anything special because Kyle Ralph, the head coach, wants his players to be focused on the task at hand. However, a gathering of people lining U.S. 52 as team buses depart around 4 p.m. is welcome, Bogle said.
Wes Anderson, community relations director for the school district, is also an assistant football coach. He said the support the community has given the team has been incredible and he hopes it continues Saturday.
“This season has been an exciting journey from the start of summer until now,” Anderson said. “I can’t wait to see everybody together at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday to cheer us on in the final game of the year.”
Lisa Lantrip, superintendent of Southern Hancock schools, thanked the community for its support in a news release and is hoping fans will show up in large numbers for the most important game of the season.
She, too, is looking forward to being one of the fans cheering on the Dragons Saturday. Lantrip credited the solid relationship between the coaching staff and the players as the reason for their success.
“I am appreciative of Coach Ralph and his staff for everything they do for our student-athletes,” she said in the release.
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New Palestine High School vs. Decatur Central High School in the IHSAA 5A State Football Championship:
When: 7:05 p.m. Saturday
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium
Cost: Tickets are $15 each. Fans can get them in advance at New Palestine High School from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today; 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. game day. One dollar of every ticket sold by the high school will be reimbursed to the school.
Game day tickets can be purchased at Lucas Oil Stadium.
What to wear: Fans are being encouraged to be part of the “Red Out” game and wear red to support the Dragons.
Tailgating option: The Grid Iron Alliance, the Dragons’ booster club, is working to secure a site near Lucas Oil Stadium for Dragons fans to gather. Check the group’s Facebook page this week for updates.
Team send-off: No pep rallies are planned, but boosters would like supporters to show up and line U.S. 52 as the team buses depart for the stadium, about 4 p.m. Saturday.
On TV: For people who cannot make it downtown for the game, it will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Indiana or online at IHSAAtv.org.
Online: Follow sports editor Brian Heinemann on Twitter for live updates during the game: @BrianHeinemann and @gdrsports. You also can listen to the game on New Pal Radio via the TuneIn Radio app.
INSIDE TODAY
Complete coverage of Saturday’s semistate win over Michigan City.
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