SHELBYVILLE — Following a gritty battle in the trenches last Friday night, the New Palestine Dragons (5-1) returned to the field and took care of business on Friday night at Shelbyville.
The Dragons’ 42-0 victory over the Golden Bears (0-7) was their eighth straight against Shelbyville.
After beginning the game with two stalled drives, the Dragons offense was able to breakthrough for the first time in the game on their third drive.
In just three carries, the Dragons moved the ball 65 yards to the end zone on the legs of freshman Grayson Thomas. A jet sweep run of 27 yards by wide receiver Blake Austin set up the score.
As the Golden Bears put their full effort into their defense, however, the Dragons were left searching for points on multiple drives and it continued through the first half.
While struggling to get into a rhythm, the Dragons reached pay dirt once more in the first half as Austin pulled down an 8-yard pass from quarterback Lincoln Roth in the corner of the end zone.
Defensively, the Dragons were able to hold the Golden Bears to just four yards gained in the first quarter and 14 total in the first half altogether.
Despite the ability to stop forward progress, the Dragons did step on their own toes twice in the first half with defensive pass interference calls. The penalties allowed the Golden Bears to keep the ball out of the Dragons’ possession and gave their defense some needed rest.
It proved helpful as the half ended with the Golden Bears forcing a stop of the Dragons in the red zone.
Unable to cross the goal line, the Dragons attempted a 31-yard field goal as time expired. The kick sailed wide left and sent the teams to intermission in a two possession game.
“We came out slow and just missed so many great opportunities on both sides, but specifically on offense,” Dragons head coach a Kyle Ralph said. “I think there were five or six clear opportunities for us to score that we somehow did not score on. This game could have looked completely different than it did in the first half.”
Early in the second half, the Dragons began to click on offense. Within six minutes, the Dragons extended their lead from the first half.
Roth was the first to reach the end zone in the third quarter with a 44-yard run. Austin scored his second touchdown of the game on a 29-yard pass from Roth.
With 4:47 remaining in the third quarter, Thomas scored his second touchdown of the game to push the lead to 35. This began the running clock for the remainder of the game, in accordance to the IHSAA’s mercy rule.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Thomas scored his third rushing touchdown of the game from 76 yards out.
Thomas’ three scores came with a team-high 234 yards rushing. Austin’s two scores came en route to being the team’s leading receiver with 109 yards on five receptions.
Roth finished the game 7-of-18 passing for 130 yards.
Despite the shutout win, Ralph is still waiting to see more from his players, especially early in games.
“We have to get better and realize that playing this game is not a right, but a privilege,” Ralph said. “Our guys play hard and are talented, but we have come out too many time this season not looking like the team that is more excited to be playing. And that is something we preach and want for our guys. We will try for it again next week with New Castle beginning (Saturday) with film. It is up to our guys at this point how much more football they want to play. Could be three games, could be more. It is up to them.”
The Dragons return to action next Friday night in their final road game of the regular season at New Castle.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Scoreline” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
New Palestine 42, Shelbyville 0
NP (5-1, 4-1 HHC);7;7;21;7;-;42
S (0-7,, 0-5 HHC);0;0;0;0;-;0
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
NP – Grayson Thomas 20 yd run (Brendan Tanksley kick), 1:37
2nd Quarter
NP – Blake Austin 8 yd pass from Lincoln Roth (Tanksley kick), 5:36
3rd Quarter
NP – Roth 44 yd run (Tanksley kick), 9:47
NP – Austin 29 yd pass from Roth (Tanksley kick), 6:21
NP – Thomas 6 yd run (Tanksley kick), 4:47
4th Quarter
NP – Thomas 76 yd run (Tanksley kick), 11:14
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