By: Brody Baker / Co-Sports Editor and Aiden Hendrickson / Co-Sports Editor
New Pal football is state champions once again coming off another historic season and beating Merrillville 38-17 in the state championship. The road to winning state wasn’t easy at all as they became the first team ever to go through five straight ranked teams and win.
“Having to go through five consecutive ranked teams. It’s never been done before in Indiana high school football. Moving up a division and then playing five ranked opponents in a row is tough. We found out this morning we had to beat teams ranked No. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the MaxPreps state rankings to win the title. No one has ever had to do that. Our guys were banged up, but they kept rehabbing, fighting, and finding ways to win each week,” head coach Kyle Ralph said,
They have prepared all year to get to state and win. Their mindset heading into the game was winning and going out on top. They all wanted to leave nothing behind.
“That it’s our last game and we’re putting everything on the line,” Senior Brock Brownfield said.
Winning state as a senior means a lot to everyone on the team. They get to go out on a winning note and celebrate their final time playing high school football with their team. They get to leave behind a legacy and hope others continue to do so.
“It means a lot, being able to leave a legacy behind, like the people before us did, it means the world to me,” Senior Jacob Davis said.
Players were leaving it all out on the field. Starting QB Jacob Davis left the game multiple times due to injury and Starting RB Caden Jacobia also left the game with an injury. Both of their backups came in and led the team to scoring drives. The defense also played a massive part in holding Merriville to 0 points in the 4th quarter and forced 2 second half turnovers that changed the game.
“Didn’t really get to say a lot to the boys and don’t have a lot of memory from the game but I do remember them making a big time drive going down the field and getting us in field goal range to take the lead,” Davis said.
Seniors enjoyed their time as players. They want the program to continue being fun and players leaving it all out on the field.
“Leave it all out there. Play for each other and (have a) win the next one mentality. Something bad might happen but I need to forget and move on to the next play,” Davis said.
The Dragons will enjoy some time off coming off another long season. They will all be back to working soon getting ready for next year.
“The next group is back in the weight room in two weeks. We’ll start rebuilding and replacing a strong senior class. Then lifting and conditioning begin over the next few months as we get ready for the 2026 season,” Ralph said.
Each senior meant a lot to their program. Whether or not if it was on the field or off the field they each contributed to the program in a lot of ways. All of them have left a legacy behind.
“Each senior contributed in their own way, leadership, preparation, and how they played the game. Every one of them displayed what it means to be a Dragon football player in a unique way. Younger players can learn from the strengths each senior showed and use that to improve themselves. You always learn from the people ahead of you, both good and bad, and our seniors set strong examples for the future,” Ralph said.
