INDIANAPOLIS — New Palestine is back on top of the Class 4A football world.
The Dragons defeated East Noble 56-26 for the school's fourth state championship Friday. It was New Palestine's first title since 2019. The Dragons finish the season with a perfect 14-0 record.
After the Knights took a 7-0 lead on their first play from scrimmage on an 80-yard pass from Rylee Biddle to Logan Hatton, the Dragons reeled off 28 straight points, including three 1-yard scoring runs by Josh Ranes, to build a 28-7 lead. Austin McMahan caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Davis for the other New Palestine score.
East Noble answered with a touchdown late in the second quarter, but New Palestine's offense picked right back up in the second half. Davis scored on a 1-yard run after the Dragons' defense opened the half with a three-and-out. After another stop, Caden Jacobia raced to a 61-yard touchdown and a 42-19 New Palestine lead after three quarters.
Ranes scored his fourth touchdown of the day, this time a 2-yard score, early in the fourth quarter as the Dragons continued to cruise. After Mason Oglesby recovered a Knights fumble, Jacobia scored his second touchdown of the game from nine yards out to push the lead to 56-19.
New Palestine is the fourth school in IHSAA history to win at least four state football championships, having previously won titles in 2014, 2018 and 2019.