New Palestine Dominates in Opener vs Kokomo
- indysportszone
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
The defending 4A State Champs New Palestine struck early in the season opener versus Kokomo.
Q1
That first quarter was an absolute blitz from New Palestine—like they came out of the tunnel with something to prove.
Opening Shockwave (0:30 mark): Senior Josh Ranes wasted no time, ripping off a 61-yard touchdown run on the very first drive. That kind of burst set the tone for what was to come.
Double Trouble: Just minutes later, fellow senior Caden Jacobia took a handoff to the left side and scored on a 69-yard touchdown run, showcasing elite speed and field vision. Kokomo’s defense had no answer for the Dragons’ ground game.
Special Teams Spark: With more than half the quarter still to play, junior Mason Oglesby made a game-changing play by blocking a punt and scoring a touchdown. His quote afterward: “I honestly didn't feel like I hit the ball well but then it was bouncing, and I drove in and was hype.” —perfectly captured the energy and chaos Kokomo was dealing with.
Defensive Domination: Kokomo’s offense was smothered by New Palestine’s front seven. They couldn’t establish rhythm or field position, and the pressure was relentless.
New Palestine ended the 1st Quarter up 28-0 with Josh Ranes scoring his 2nd TD of the game.
Q2
That second quarter was a masterclass in control and execution from New Palestine.
9:21 – Jacob Davis Takes Over: Senior quarterback Jacob Davis showed off his dual-threat ability, slicing through Kokomo’s defense for a 12-yard touchdown run. His poise and vision in the pocket translated seamlessly to the ground game.
Defensive Clampdown: New Palestine’s defense continued to suffocate Kokomo’s offense, forcing multiple three-and-outs and never allowing the Wildkats to get in the endzone. The Dragons’ front seven were relentless, collapsing pockets and stuffing run lanes.
6:47 – Air Attack Precision: Davis connected with senior Cameron Rollyson on a beautiful 35-yard pass, dropping it right into the breadbasket and setting up a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Rollyson finished the drive himself with a 1-yard touchdown run, capping off a perfectly executed possession.
Late Quarter Efficiency: With time winding down, New Palestine added a 30-yard field goal, pushing the score to 45–0 and leaving Kokomo stunned heading into halftime.
The Dragons weren’t just scoring—they were dominating every phase of the game. From Davis’ leadership to the defense’s suffocating pressure, New Palestine looked every bit like the defending 4A state champs.
Q3
Game Management Mode Activated: With a commanding 45–0 halftime lead, New Palestine shifted into control mode. The Dragons leaned on clock-chewing drives, using their run game to burn time and maintain possession.
Defensive Consistency: Kokomo remained bottled up offensively, unable to flip field position or generate momentum. The Dragons’ defense continued to dominate the line of scrimmage, forcing quick punts and keeping the Wildkats out of scoring range.
No Additional Scoring: Despite a few promising drives, New Palestine didn’t add to the scoreboard in the third quarter. The focus was clearly on maintaining rhythm, protecting players, and controlling the pace. New Palestine maintained control with clock-chewing drives and defensive stops. Kokomo’s offense remained bottled up, unable to generate momentum or field position. The score remained New Palestine 45, Kokomo 0, with the Dragons firmly in command heading into the final frame.
Q4
Depth Rotation Begins: With a 45–0 lead heading into the final frame, New Palestine began rotating in second-string and underclassmen, giving valuable reps to younger players while maintaining control of the game.
Continued Defensive Pressure: Even with backups on the field, the Dragons’ defense stayed locked in. Kokomo remained unable to generate offense, still facing pressure and struggling to move the chains.
Late-Game Spark (Under 2:00): Junior Ryder Gardner delivered the final blow with a 74-yard drive, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run. It was a strong statement from the younger squad, showing that the future of New Pal football is just as fierce.
Final Score: New Palestine 52, Kokomo 0
Junior Mason Oglesby said Coach Ralph's message at halftime was "Get the Job done and cheer on the young guys." New Palestine finished with 377 rushing yards, continuing a streak of 15 straight games with at least 176 yards on the ground. Kokomo will look to bounce back against Terre Haute South Vigo, while New Palestine has a big matchup next week against the defending 5A State Champions Decatur Central. Last year when these two teams faced off it was tied 21-21 going into halftime and ended in a no contest due to lighting delays.
MSP 8.23.25
Stats
Passing
Jacob Davis 4-8-1 55 Yards
Rushing
Jacob Davis 9-88-1
Caden Jacobia 3-116-1
Ryder Gardner 4-28-1
Josh Ranes 6-83-2
Receving
Cameron Rollyson 2-36-1
Mason Oglesby 2-19
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