HANCOCK COUNTY — The theme of the night this past Friday was lightning.
Every local football was impacted in various degrees as weather-related delays suspended play last week from 30 to 90 minutes and even led to an eventual forfeit victory for the host Greenfield-Central Cougars.
As unpredictable as the skies overhead may be, one thing was certain for a few despite the twist and turns Mother Nature presented. Last Friday was a bounce back week, and the host Marauders, Cougars and Royals came up big in Week 2.
The only team left in Hancock County without a victory is Class 5A New Palestine, which dropped its second straight contest and could equally continue to fall in the state rankings.
The 2A Eastern Hancock Royals improved to 2-0 as the area’s lone unbeaten, and the 4A Marauders, who were ranked eighth in the state last week, got back on track with a home victory over Franklin.
This week, 4A Greenfield-Central stands in the way of rival Mt. Vernon, which went perfect in 2020 to win the Hoosier Heritage Conference title.
For both program’s Week 3 conference opener, the Cougars will host the Marauders, marking Greenfield-Central’s third consecutive home game.
Meanwhile, the Dragons will look to secure their first win of the season at home as they open their HHC schedule against Yorktown.
The Royals travel for the second time in three weeks to Mid-Eastern Conference foe Wes-Del this Friday where they hope to improve to 2-0 in league play.
Here’s a breakdown of each match-up entering Friday night.
Mt. Vernon (1-1) at Greenfield-Central (1-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Myers Field.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 1-1 in 1st year at Mt. Vernon. Travis Nolting, 6-15 in 3rd year at Greenfield-Central, 66-43 in 11th year overall.
Last game: Mt. Vernon defeated Franklin, 43-25. Greenfield-Central defeated Phalen Academy, 14-0.
Series info: Mt. Vernon owns a 23-13 series lead in the past 35 years and won the last meeting, 35-6, on Sept. 5, 2020.
What we learned: The 4A Mt. Vernon Marauders rediscovered their mojo in Week 2, immediately turning the page after their embarrassing Week 1 loss to 6A Noblesville at home.
Much like Week 1, the Marauders offense came out hot, but it didn’t let up this time despite taking a 22-0 lead after the first quarter. The Marauders put up another three touchdowns in the second quarter against an over-matched Franklin program, even after an approximate 90-minute lightning delay.
The defense minimized the Grizzly Cubs’ rushing attack and the offense initiated a running clock for the second half by building a 43-6 halftime lead.
Mt. Vernon rushed for four touchdowns, led by senior Keagan La Belle, who finished with 112 yards on 11 carries and ran into the end zone from 50 yards out.
Senior Avery Williams and junior Eli Bridenthal continue to emerge in the offense with the former rushing for a TD and the latter running one in and catching another. La Belle added a receiving touchdown as senior quarterback Gehrig Slunaker completed 15 of 21 passes for two scores and 202 yards.
The defense had 11.5 tackles for a loss and enjoyed widespread production. They will need it to counter Greenfield-Central’s option offense in both team’s HHC season opener.
The Cougars didn’t get many reps in last week due to a lengthy lightning delay and a forfeit by Phalen Academy after only one quarter of play.
What they have done well in recent years, however, is step up when it’s rivalry time.
The last time Greenfield-Central beat Mt. Vernon was in 2017 on the road, 27-0. And last year, the Cougars played the Marauders tough, though it was hardly reflected in the final score, 35-6.
The Cougars defense can be stingy and being at home is a bonus. Spencer Johnson remains the anchor for the Cougars defensively, and he and fellow senior Joey Roland could play big roles this Friday.
If the Cougars find a way to knock off the Marauders, the HHC race could break wide open. Though, its only Week 3, this is a statement game in the grand scheme.
Yorktown (2-0) at New Palestine (0-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Kelso Stadium.
Coaches: Mike Wilhelm, 88-88 in 17th year at Yorktown. Kyle Ralph, 96-8 in 9th year at New Palestine.
Last game: Yorktown defeated Muncie Central, 49-12. New Palestine lost to Brebeuf Jesuit, 38-14.
Series info: New Palestine owns a 20-4 series lead in the past 35 years and won the last meeting, 35-0, on Sept. 4, 2020.
What we learned: This isn’t going to be your typical football season in southern Hancock County.
The 5A New Palestine Dragons are young and somewhat inexperienced, and they are taking their lumps early this fall as evident by consecutive losses to open their 2021 campaign.
For the first time since 2013, the Dragons sit at 0-2. The good news, it’s only September and both losses came against formidable non-conference opponents.
The bad news, it’s Hoosier Heritage Conference season now with little room for error.
If the Dragons want to contend for another HHC title after losing hold last year to Mt. Vernon, the time is now to correct course.
Last week, the Dragons kept stride with state-ranked 3A Brebeuf Jesuit, tied 7-7 after the first quarter. But, the game slipped away as Brebeuf pulled ahead 24-7 before the fourth quarter.
The Dragons’ passing game amassed 47 yards and an interception on a combined 5 of 17 completions by quarterbacks Eian Roudebush and Damon Hockett.
The running game did its best, gaining 233 yards on 43 carries at 5.4 yards on average per carry. Sophomore Grayson Thomas led the attack with 158 yards on 21 carries and a rushing touchdown. Hockett rushed for 27 yards a a score, while sophomore Kyler Kropp had 45 yards.
The defense posted 13.0 tackles for a loss and senior Gus Walling had 11 total tackles (two for a loss). The Red Rage recorded four sacks, including one by Walling, but even Blaine Nunnally’s interception wasn’t enough to keep the Dragons in the game.
The Dragons haven’t lost to Yorktown since 2012, at home 27-20. Through the past eight seasons, New Palestine has had Yorktown’s number. If the Dragons can’t find consistency at home, then that streak could be in jeopardy.
Eastern Hancock (2-0, 1-0 MEC) at Wes-Del (0-1, 0-0 MEC)
Game time: 7 p.m. at Parker Field.
Coaches: Phil Morris, 2-0 in 1st year at Eastern Hancock, 25-37 in 7th year overall. Ryan Cole, 0-1 in 1st year at Wes-Del.
Last game: Eastern Hancock defeated North Decatur, 27-20. Wes-Del lost to Tri-Central, 50-26.
Series info: Eastern Hancock owns a 21-3 series lead in the past 35 years and won the last meeting, 49-16, on Sept. 4, 2020.
What we learned: The Eastern Hancock Royals had to play catch-up in Week 2, falling behind 13-0 by halftime before overcoming both visiting North Decatur and a lightning delay.
The Royals offense came through in the second half, however, with 27 points scored to power the program to a 27-20 win, a 2-0 start to the season and a 1-0 MEC record.
Senior quarterback Houston Swan posted 105 yards passing on 7 of 13 completions with one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Royals’ running game proved to be a staple during the victory, rushing for 267 yards overall on 28 carries for 9.5 yards on average per attempt.
Both seniors Cole Rainbolt (101 yards) and Zach Arnold (120 yards) eclipsed the 100-yard mark and combined for three rushing touchdowns with the latter breaking free for a pair.
Arnold had a field day, averaging 20.0 yards per carry with his longest run measuring 66 yards. Rainbolt has been a steady offensive weapon throughout his career and he continued that last week with 123 all-purpose yards, which included five receptions for 22 yards.
The Royals lone receiving touchdown went to sophomore Brayden Sullivan, who hauled in two catches for 83 yards. Swan added 45 yards rushing.
Junior Kain Sotelo was a monster on defense for the Royals with 20 total tackles (three for a loss and 14 solos). Senior Chase Riggs also had double-digit total tackles with 10. Senior Caden Nation and sophomore Cameron Volz finished with nine, respectively.
Wes-Del enters the game at 0-1 after a lopsided 50-26 loss to Tri-Central, another Class A program. The Royals haven’t lost to Wes-Del since 2010, on the road, 20-0.
With two wins behind them already this fall, the Royals are on track to increase their streak over Wes-Del to nine in a row.
