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Trojans dismantle New Palestine

East Central RB/LB Dylan Maxwell (photo by: Sandy Mahoney / X: @InMotionBySandy)

The Trojans showed why they are the defending state champion as East Central took a business approach in dismantling New Palestine on Friday night.

ST. LEON, Indiana – The Blitz 5 Game of the week made at a stop in St. Leon, Indiana for the class 4A semi state battle between East Central and New Palestine. The Trojans and Dragons went to battle with a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium and the state championship on the line. East Central, the defending state champs looked to continue their quest and get one step closer to a repeat. New Palestine aimed to knock off the champs and write their own storybook run to the title game. In the end, the Trojans proved to be too much on their home field as they got the big playoff win.

The Trojans came out early meaning business. East Central forced a quick three and out and went on the offensive right away. The wing T offense was effective on the opening drive as the Trojans went on an 86-yard drive that was capped by a Josh Ringer touchdown from seven yards out. After another quick New Pal three and out, the Trojans went back to work but turned the ball over on downs.

East Central would again get off of the field defensively and the offense got back running like a well oiled machine. The Trojans went on a 5 play, 79 yard drive that was powered by a Dylan Maxwell 51-yard scamper. Ringer finished the drive with a 1-yard plunge and a 14-0 lead. New Palestine now would need to respond.

The Dragons did in a way. New Palestine went on their best drive of the half as they picked up their first first down of the game with 10:30 left in the second quarter. The Dragons used a balanced attack to drive down the field getting just short of the red zone. They would then be held on downs. East Central wasted no time capitalizing as Dylan Maxwell took the next handoff and went 78 yards untouched for a score and a commanding 21-0 lead. Maxwell would add a second score on the Trojans’ next possession for a 28-0 lead at the half.

East Central did their damage in the run game in the first half. The Trojans rushed for 321 rushing yards in the half. Ringer had 13 carries for 74 yards and two scores in the half. Maxwell rushed 9 times for 212 yards and two scores in the half. The Trojans’ defense was dominant in keeping the Dragons out of the endzone.

Things stayed the same in the second half. East Central got the first possession but fumbled deep in their own territory. The Dragons had some momentum after the recovery. That momentum was taken right back as the Trojans’ defense again was up for the challenge by turning the Dragons away on downs. Another tough and physical offensive drive was capped by Ryan Minges who took in a 5-yard rush for a score and late in the third quarter, the running clock was underway. 

Another defensive stop was a bit inevitable and the Trojans got the ball back with around six minutes left in the contest. Going back to the ground game, East Central looked to run out the clock on a second straight semi state championship victory. Ryan Minges took one 63 yards for a final nail in the coffin and a 42-0 lead. Cole Sebastian added a fumble return on special teams for the final score. The Trojans had 479 yards in the game, all of which came on the ground.. The Trojans head back to Lucas Oil Stadium for a chance to repeat next Saturday.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
New Palestine 0-0-0-0-0 

East Central 7-21-7-7-49

SCORING PLAYS
E:Josh Ringer 7-yd rush (Nathan McFee kick)
E: Josh Ringer 1-yd rush (McFee kick)
E: Dylan Maxwell 78-yd rush (McFee kick)
E: Dylan Maxwell 7-yd rush (McFee kick)
E: Ryan Minges 5-yd rush (McFee kick)
E: Ryan Minges 63-yd rush (McFee kick)
E: Cole Sebastian fumble return (McFee kick) 

RECORDS: New Palestine (11-3) at East Central (14-0)
UP NEXT: IHSAA Class 4A State Championship

*Stay updated on high school football updates by following @TSFootball on X.

 

 

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