Loaded New Palestine (Ind.) team rolling in the Hoosier State

NEW PALESTINE, Ind. – New Palestine (Ind.) High improved to 5-0 on the season Friday night dominating Pendleton Heights to the tune of 42-6 in a game of previous unbeaten teams.

In victory, New Pal continues to show this is one of the best high school football squads in the Midwest with difference-makers all over the field.

Look no further than quarterback.

Senior passer Jacob Davis is committed to Towson but Iowa State is showing interest and it wouldn’t be surprising to see others as his strong play continues. 

“I think he’s taking it to a different level this year,” New Pal head coach Kyle Ralph said. “Obviously the physical size to him, he’s gotten so much bigger. He’s 6-3, 197 pounds. When he came to us (last year) I think he weighed 160. The physical development in the weight room, the strength and confidence from that.”

In the first four games Davis completed over 60 percent of his passes for 498 yards and seven touchdowns to one interception. He added 238 more yards on the grown and four more scores. In this win Davis passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns with a rushing score before his day was done.

Ralph loves the way Davis has grown mentally, his feel for the playbook, reading defenses and attacking.

“He’s got a cannon for an arm,” Ralph added. “He can make every throw in the book. He has the velocity, the spin, it comes out of his hand fast. He can stretch it downfield, he can make the short throws. He runs well. I think his legs are undervalued.”

Purdue four-star offensive line commit Brock Brownfield anchors both sides of the line of scrimmage for the Dragons. He was blowing defenders off the ball in the run game and helped keep Davis clean on passing downs. He’s quick, plays with a motor and on defense was in the middle of several stops as well.

“Brock has been outstanding,” Ralph said. He played offensive line at North Carolina. “He’s such a competitor. His size and strength is really good.

“I know he’s super fired up about Purdue and they look much improved under Coach Odom in his first year. He’s going to be a good player for them down the road.

“He’s one of the most intense kids we’ve ever had too.”

An emerging player on the offensive line is the coach’s son, 2028 center Kaeden Ralph.  Currently 6-foot-2, 246-pounds, he has a chance to grow into one of the Hoosier State’s best in his class.

“He’s doing fine,” his father said. “Starting at center is a tough deal for a young guy with a senior-heavy offense. He’s taking to the position well and it got sprung on him. He’s pretty natural at it and moves well laterally and is explosive off the ball. He’s got little things to clean up. His pass-pro is good. He’s got good size for it, he’s really good in the weight room. I think he’s got a future in it.”

No question tight end/linebacker Mason Oglesby has a future in it. He is one of the state’s best two-way pass catchers/second-level defenders. He’ll visit Indiana tonight and has offers from the Hoosiers, Purdue, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Michigan State and Wisconsin to name a few.

“He’s got the ability to change the game at any time,” Ralph said. “He is really talented. The size and ability is next-level and pretty special.”

Army offensive line commit Abe Walling played terrific and 2028 Sam Hirschy is another name to know in the trenches.

“He’s going to be an interior defensive tackle guy,” Ralph said. “He’ll be a guy that will have some offers this year. I’ll be blown away if he doesn’t.”