NEW PALESTINE, Ind. — The top-ranked team in Class 4A is moving on to the next round of sectionals.
The undefeated New Palestine Dragons held off the Mt. Vernon Marauders 28-14 on Friday night, advancing New Pal into the next round of sectionals.
New Palestine's win Friday night wasn't as dominant as their Week 3 win over the Marauders was, but it definitely sent a statement that the road to the Class 4A state title game runs through US 52.
The Dragons struck first after a nine-play drive ended in a 26-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jacob Davis to junior tight end Garrett Ranes. Mt. Vernon responded on their next drive with a 90-yard touchdown pass. Ranes, who had just caught the Dragons' first touchdown, blocked the Marauders' extra point to keep New Palestine in the lead, albeit barely.
New Palestine ended the first quarter with and 11-yard passing touchdown from Jacob Davis to give the Dragons a 14-6 lead.
The second quarter was entirely scoreless, but New Palestine came out of the halftime break determined to finish off Mt. Vernon.
Early in the third quarter, New Palestine senior defensive lineman Michael Thacker came up with a huge interception that he also returned 30 yards for a Dragons touchdown. It was his second defensive touchdown of the season.
Mt. Vernon responded early in the fourth quarter with a 55-yard touchdown pass to make it a one-score game with just twelve minutes left to play. However, another Jacob Davis passing touchdown, this time to Austin McMahan, sealed the game in the Dragons' favor.
Mt. Vernon's season ends with a 4-6 record, slotting them fourth overall in the Hoosier Heritage Conference standings.
New Palestine moves to 9-0 on the season and will play Yorktown in the second round of sectionals on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
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