4A South Semistate: Martinsville (12-1) at New Palestine (12-0)

[crimsonace1]

New Palestine's Kelso Stadium will be the venue for the 4A South Semistate, as the No. 1/1 Dragons (12-0) face the No. 4/3 Artesians (12-1). 

This matchup features one of the state's best offenses - a Martinsville attack that's scored 35+ points 11 times this season - against a New Palestine defense that's been very stout. That's going to be a fun, fun matchup to watch. A.J. Reynolds has been putting up eye-popping numbers, throwing for 230 yards per game, leading an offense that's been averaging 400+ yards per game. Hunter Stroud is a 1,300-yard receiver and the Artesians have two backs who have combined for 1,500 yards. Last week, it was the running game that came up big - Lucas Dewey ran for 239 yards, while Reynolds threw for 113 and two TDs. Because of that, the Artesians are never out of a game - as they proved when they were down 35 against Decatur Central and rallied to win 39-38. In the regional, Martinsville's special teams came up big, scoring on a blocked punt in the final 90 seconds to beat Evansville Reitz 35-28. NP's defense - with two FBS recruits in Michael Thacker and Brock Brownfield on the defensive line and a big, athletic LB corps led by Garrett and Josh Ranes - has not allowed much on the ground this year and has generally forced teams to become one-dimensional. After Chatard hit some big pass plays and was able to get something going in the running game to tie the game at 21-21 in the regional, NP's defense bowed up and got four straight stops - including two three-and-outs and an interception - before holding the Trojans out of the end zone in overtime. 

NP's offense has become increasingly run-heavy as the year has gone on, with Josh Ranes knocking on the door of 2,000 rushing yards. He had 122 and two TDs against Chatard, while QB Jacob Davis ran for 108 and a TD. Davis, however, is a very accurate passer who throws a great deep ball, and has a homerun threat in Austin McMahan, who has 6 TDs of 35+ yards. But the Dragons are very good, tallying 370+ yards per game and scoring 35+ points in 10 of their 12 games this season. 

This is NP's second straight semistate and seventh in the last 12 years. Martinsville is in the semistate for the first time since 1996. 

Expect a shootout with a trip Lucas Oil Stadium on the line. 

Also, with the IHSAAtv broadcasts being PPV for the semistate, free audio available at

NewPalRadio.com (which I will have) or WCBK-102.3 (Martinsville broadcast).

[Plymouthfan91]

I was able to watch the end of the Martinsville game last Friday and those kids are fighters.  A lot of teams after the missed FG would quit and allowed Reitz to run out the clock.  But I was impressed by the grit that I saw.  I agree that the QB is good.  I wished I would've been able to watch the NP game.  Can't watch this one though.  IHSAA is charging for the semi-state and state games.  Good luck to both teams.

[FastpacedO]

2 hours ago, Plymouthfan91 said:

I was able to watch the end of the Martinsville game last Friday and those kids are fighters.  A lot of teams after the missed FG would quit and allowed Reitz to run out the clock.  But I was impressed by the grit that I saw.  I agree that the QB is good.  I wished I would've been able to watch the NP game.  Can't watch this one though.  IHSAA is charging for the semi-state and state games.  Good luck to both teams.

New Pal is solid enough to win this game, but they do not want to take their foot off the pedal if they build any lead. Martinsville has shown in a couple games they can come back and score quickly. The Decatur Central game they were dead to rights at halftime and stormed back to win the game.

[crimsonace1]

On 11/18/2024 at 12:08 PM, FastpacedO said:

New Pal is solid enough to win this game, but they do not want to take their foot off the pedal if they build any lead. Martinsville has shown in a couple games they can come back and score quickly. The Decatur Central game they were dead to rights at halftime and stormed back to win the game.

Martinsville reminds me a lot of the Kevin Wilson-era IU teams. Incredible offense led by a very talented QB, with a defense that plays very aggressively and is high-risk, high-reward. Every game they play is a shootout. They're never out of a game. They've had some huge swings - in both directions - in games this season. 

[MikeTyson15]

New Pal by 3

[dmizers3]

7 hours ago, MikeTyson15 said:

New Pal by 3

3 scores

[crimsonace1]

Kickoff is closing in. 

Free audio broadcasts at NewPalRadio.com (New Pal) & WCBK-102.3's website (Martinsville). Video at IHSAAtv.org. 

Weather looks to be 40F, with 15-25mph winds blowing diagonally across the field. Wonder how much that will play into the game.