By Aiden Hendrickson / Co-Sports Editor
A matchup against IMG Academy is not something most high school football programs ever experience. For New Palestine, that opportunity is now a reality, bringing excitement, challenge, and a chance to compete on one of the biggest stages in high school football.
“They actually reached out to us, so it was kind of a process over about a week and a half working through logistics. When they called, it was obviously a huge surprise. It’s one of the premier programs in the country, so for them to want to play us was shocking, but also really neat to be a part of,” head coach Kyle Ralph said.
With IMG known for having Division I talent across the field, the preparation for a game like this stands apart from a typical week. While the structure remains the same, the expectations within that preparation rise to another level.
“Drastically. We don’t play them until week eight, so we’re not focused on it yet. But a place like that has some of the best players in the country at every position. The way we prepare as a staff won’t change, but the attention to detail has to be elite. Our players are going to have to elevate how they prepare because they’re going against the best of the best,” Ralph said.
The challenge is not just about the opponent, but about how the team responds to it. Facing that level of competition forces players to grow, both mentally and physically.
“It’s about preparation and then seeing how you stack up against that level of talent. Our guys can’t be afraid to compete, even if they get beat on some plays. That’s part of it. Adversity helps you grow, and we’re going to face plenty of it that week,” Ralph said.
That same idea of growth played a major role in scheduling the game in the first place. Bringing in a nationally recognized opponent was not a quick decision, but one that required careful thought and evaluation.
“I think we did a lot of homework. Anytime you’re going to face a big challenge like that, whether it’s basketball, football, or a program like IMG, you’re going to do your research. Hesitation might not be the word I’d use. There was enough interest, but also enough concern about making sure it was a good matchup that we really took our time and looked into everything,” said athletic director Brian Murphy.
Beyond the challenge itself, the focus remained on what the athletes would gain from the experience. The benefits go far beyond just the outcome of the game.
“The biggest positive is for the athletes. When you schedule a high level opponent, you look at what your players can get out of it. If we go out and play great, they get exposure against top competition. If we go out and get beat, we still get better from it. The other part is motivation. Once we scheduled IMG, our athletes knew that challenge was coming in October. That gives them months to prepare, getting stronger, faster, and better in the weight room and on the practice field. Even in the worst case scenario, we’re still better off than if we played someone who didn’t push us to improve,” Murphy said.
The game is expected to bring more attention than usual, but that was never the main focus. Instead, it is about the opportunity for both the program and the community.
“Not really, that wasn’t the reason we scheduled it. It’s more about the opportunity for our program and community. Honestly, if you told me when I got this job that we’d be hosting IMG someday, I would’ve said you’re crazy. It’s just a unique, once in a lifetime type of experience,” Ralph said.
As the season approaches, the matchup represents more than just one night. It reflects the mindset of the program and its willingness to compete against anyone.
“I think it shows our philosophy as a school, we’re not afraid of a challenge. We might go out there and get beat, we might compete, or we might win, but we’re going to find out,” Murphy said.
