By Rich Torres, Special to IHSAA.org
INDIANAPOLIS – For the second time this season the top-ranked Class 5A New Palestine Dragons faced a deficit. For the 14th consecutive game, they remained perfect and claimed their second straight state title.
Reaching the IHSAA football state finals for a sixth time in 12 years – and seventh overall since 1990 – the Dragons erased an early 7-0 deficit and later broke a 17-17 tie with 21-unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 5 Merrillville, 38-17, on Friday night.
New Palestine’s 28th consecutive victory since winning the 4A state crown last year pushed the Dragons (14-0) to the brink, as the Merrillville Pirates (11-3) came out primed for an upset in their first state finals appearance since 1976.
However, not even an injury to senior quarterback Jacob Davis’s throwing shoulder and ankle sustained in each half could keep the Dragons from seizing their fifth, undefeated state championship and third in 5A.
“We work them hard, so they don’t quit. If you make things easy on these kids, then they’ll quit at the drop of a hat, so we make things hard on purpose because it teaches you that this means a lot to me,” New Palestine coach Kyle Ralph said.
“Football is a sport of passion, so if you can go through what we put you through, there’s no question in my mind you won’t give up on a Friday night ever. That’s what our kids did this year, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
On the season’s final Friday night, the Dragons completed their second back-to-back state run and first in different classifications after going back-to-back in 2018-19 while in 4A.
They attempted to achieve the feat in 2014-15 after making the leap to 5A due to the IHSAA success factor, but the Dragons fell short.
This time, the program’s unfinished business became a done deal, helping coach Ralph become the 10th coach in state history to win five titles and the third to win five state championships undefeated.
“It’s my 13th year. We haven’t had a lot of turn over,” said Ralph, who owns a 155-14 career record at New Palestine. “We’ve also brought in some great people as well. So, you can’t be anything but proud. It’s really hard to do what we do on a consistent basis without the kids and the community and the parents backing us up, without a great coaching staff. I don’t coach the team myself. I’m proud of everybody in it.”
Against the Pirates, everyone was needed.
Merrillville halted New Palestine’s and the game’s first drive with an interception by senior defensive back Keith Edwards, who finished the game with two picks.
His first gave the Pirates a short, 47-yard field, which they turned into a 7-0 lead behind a nine-play march into the end zone capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Michael Hill.
New Palestine responded with a two-play possession that covered 57 yards in 11 seconds, as Davis connected with junior Landon Maddox for a 40-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7 in the first quarter.
On New Palestine’s next drive in the second quarter, Davis exited with a shoulder injury, but he returned and helped position sophomore placekicker Evan Walker for a go-ahead, 37-yard field goal.
Senior Caden Jacobia, who rushed for 125 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns, put New Palestine up 17-7 by finishing a 10-play drive that spanned 74 yards in 4:54 with a 3-yard touchdown run.
With Hill sidelined due to a shoulder injury late in the first half, Merrillville summoned backup quarterback, senior Darnell Bowles Jr., who recorded the longest TD pass of the game to senior Mikel Smoot for a 55-yard strike that cut New Palestine’s lead 17-14 in 37 seconds.
Hill completed 8 of 10 passes for 62 yards and 15 yards rushing on four carries in the first half. Bowles connected on 13 of 20 pass attempts for 137 yards the rest of the way.
“When (Hill) went down, we thought it was potentially just an AC sprain, and it was his non-throwing shoulder. So, you know, we knew we weren’t going to have him for the rest of the half,” Merrillville coach Brad Seiss said. “I think it’s pretty apparent he’s going to have a broken collarbone. I feel bad for him as hard as he worked and wanting to help lead our team, showcase his talents in front of the entire state.”
Instead, the Pirates kept it close despite an interception by Dragons’ senior Josh Ranes on third-and-8 at Merrillville’s 40-yard line against Bowles to open the second half.
Merrillville’s defense forced a 24-yard field goal on New Palestine’s ensuing possession, which hit the left upright and fell into the end zone to keep them within three points.
On their alternating possession, the Pirates tied the game, 17-17, with a 34-yard field goal from senior placekicker Benito Gonzales with 3:11 left in the third.
“We told these guys to start the week, this game’s going to be a marathon, not a sprint. We felt like we were in better condition. That we could win a game late like this, and that’s exactly what happened,” Ralph said.
The turning point unfolded during New Palestine’s 13-play, 78-yard drive that stretched from the end of the third quarter into the fourth over 4:45.
Ranes, who had four tackles and half a sack to go with his interception, put New Palestine up 23-17 with a 24-yard rushing touchdown on third-and-9.
Ranes tallied 48 yards on five carries and two touchdowns. His second TD run measured 2-yards that cemented the game in the final minutes.
“This team obviously knew that we were running, and it showed in the beginning. Once our line started picking them up and started driving them back, it really opened up the run game,” Jacobia said.
“They really tested us the most out of every other team we’ve played this year. They knew our run game, and they were trying their best to stop it. They were blitzing off corners. They were blitzing safeties, and they showed they were really tough.”
So did Davis, who exited the drive before the fourth quarter after breaking free for a long run that was shortened due to a penalty.
Tackled hard along the sideline, Davis was replaced by junior Ryder Gardner, but he reentered and completed a 14-yard pass to Maddox before the running game gained ground.
“One of their corners got a good shot on me early in the game. That definitely was a wake-up call probably to be smarter with the ball. I should have been safer running it, and then I got hit over the shoulder and kind of hurt my shoulder and ankle,” Davis said. “I made a few throws after that. I’m going to feel it tomorrow morning for sure.”
Davis rushed for 129 yards on 17 carries and completed 6 of 11 passes for 84 yards.
The Pirates were held to three points in the second half, as the state’s leading defense clamped down to force two punts, a turnover on downs and an interception by sophomore Andrew Davis with 5:23 remaining.
“We knew the game wasn’t over when it was tied in the fourth quarter,” Jacobia said. “As soon as we got that momentum, we knew with about four minutes left the game was ours. We got that huge pick at the end, and we just knew it was over from there.”
Jacobia padded the margin 31-17 with a 4-yard touchdown after New Palestine’s Red Rage defense gang tackled senior Jac’Quarious Johnson in the backfield for a turnover on downs at Merrillville’s 7-yard line with 6:29 left.
“Just executed, finally,” Ralph said. “We had our moments on offense tonight. We were incredible. We had our moments where we were really poor. Some of that was them being a really good football team, and some of it was just not playing well. When we executed. We were great. We were really good.”
The Dragons, who are a 4A school based on enrollment, were historically perfect this postseason, defeating their fifth consecutive top 10 ranked team. “We’re the smallest school in the division, again. No one has ever done what we did. No one’s ever played five ranked teams in a row and won them all and been a state champion,” Ralph said. “We’ve had kids hurt every week with shoulders and knees and ankles and backs, and we’ve got guys playing hurt tonight, left and right. They just keep getting up and finding a way.”
Class 5A State Championship Records
Most Penalties (Tied): 11 penalties by Merrillville
Mental Attitude Award to New Palestine’s Abe Walling
During the awards ceremony, Abe Walling of New Palestine High School was announced by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the recipient of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 5A Football.
The award is annually presented to a senior who is nominated by his principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability during his four years of high school.
Abe currently is in the top 15% of his senior class and is involved in New Palestine’s Leadership Council and is a two-time football team captain.
Abe is a four-year letterman, three-year starter on offense and defense, and was a member of last year’s 4A state championship team. He also participates in track and field for the Dragons.
He is the son of James and Christa Walling of Indianapolis, IN. He is planning to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY but is undecided on his field of study.
The award is named in honor of Commissioner Phil N. Eskew, who served as the IHSAA’s third commissioner from 1962-76. Under his leadership, the IHSAA football state tournament was initiated in 1973.
The Indianapolis Colts, the presenting sponsor of the state tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to New Palestine High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Abe Walling.
IHSAA’s Champion of Education Award, presented by Ivy Tech Community College
This award recognizes teachers and faculty who go above and beyond to challenge students to reach their full potential. As an organization that emphasizes keeping education at the forefront of high school athletics, the IHSAA is proud to shine a light on two honorees in this year’s class. On behalf of Ivy Tech Community College, presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Champion of Education Award, the IHSAA will award $250 to the classroom of each recipient.
Mike Krutz serves as Principal at Merrillville High School. Mr. Krutz consistently inspires students to push beyond their comfort zones. He encourages them to take pride in their work, persevere through challenges, and believe in their own abilities. His positive attitude is contagious, helping to create an environment where students feel supported and capable of achieving excellence. Mr. Kruta is a pillar of the Merrillville Community!
Jon Carney is Director of Bands at New Palestine High School! Mr. Carney combines encouragement with high expectations, consistently pushing his students to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Under his leadership, his groups work tirelessly and take great pride in performing at their absolute best. Those who watch them can clearly see the time, dedication, and heart poured into every rehearsal and performance!
