Honestly, if you weren't at Lucas Oil Stadium back in late November, you missed one of those games that people in Indiana are going to be talking about for a decade. The new palestine football score isn't just a number on a board; it’s the definitive stamp on a dynasty.
38-17.
That’s the final. New Palestine 38, Merrillville 17.
But look, that score is kinda lying to you. It makes it look like a blowout, right? Like the Dragons just rolled in and steamrolled the Pirates from the first whistle. That couldn't be further from the truth. For three quarters, this was a absolute dogfight that had everyone in the stands holding their breath. It was 17-17 deep into the third. It felt like Merrillville might actually pull off the upset and snap that massive winning streak. Then, the fourth quarter happened.
The Fourth Quarter Explosion
The thing about New Pal is they don't just beat you; they wait for you to get tired and then they bury you. 21 points. That is what they hung on Merrillville in the final twelve minutes alone. It was ruthless.
Caden Jacobia and Josh Ranes basically took the game over on the ground. When you look at the stats, the Dragons put up 312 rushing yards. That is "bully ball" at its finest. Jacob Davis, the senior quarterback, didn't have to throw much—only 84 yards—but when he did, he made it count, especially that 40-yard bomb to Landon Maddox.
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Why the 38-17 Score Matters
This win gave New Palestine their 28th straight victory. Think about that for a second. Two full seasons without a single loss. They went 14-0 this year. They didn't just win a title; they repeated as state champs after moving up to Class 5A.
- Back-to-Back Titles: They won 4A last year, moved up a class, and did it again.
- The Streak: 28 games. That’s a lot of Friday nights without a "L".
- The Legacy: This is their fifth state title since 2014 under Coach Kyle Ralph.
Breaking Down the Scoring Summary
It started slow. Merrillville actually struck first—Michael Hill punched it in from the one-yard line. For a second, the New Pal crowd was silent. But the Dragons answered with 17 straight points.
Then came the drama. Right before the half, Merrillville’s Darnell Bowles found Mikel Smoot for a 55-yard touchdown. 17-14 at the break. When Benito Gonzalez nailed a field goal in the third to tie it at 17, the momentum felt like it was shifting.
It didn't.
Josh Ranes broke a 24-yard run with about eight minutes left to make it 24-17. Then Jacobia scored. Then Ranes scored again. Boom. 38-17. Game over. Ring season.
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Comparing the Dragons to the Rest of Indiana
People love to argue about whether the new palestine football score would look the same against 6A powerhouses like Center Grove or Ben Davis. Honestly? It's a fair question. The Dragons are ranked #4 in the entire state of Indiana, regardless of class.
They beat Cathedral 20-15 in a sectional game that was basically a heavyweight boxing match. Cathedral is a traditional power, and New Pal stood toe-to-toe with them. They also shut out Bloomington South 42-0 in the semi-state. When you're putting up those kinds of numbers against top-tier programs, the "small school" labels don't really apply anymore.
Key Players from the Championship Game
- Josh Ranes: The engine. Two massive fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal the deal.
- Caden Jacobia: The workhorse. He’s been the heartbeat of this offense all season.
- Jacob Davis: The senior leader. He didn't blink when the game was tied late.
- Abe Walling: Won the Eskew Mental Attitude Award. In Indiana high school sports, that’s as big as the trophy itself.
What’s Next for New Palestine?
The 2026 season is going to be a weird one for the Dragons. They lose a lot of senior talent, including Davis and some key guys on the offensive line. But Coach Ralph has built a culture where it’s "next man up."
If you're looking for the new palestine football score in the future, don't expect them to fall off a cliff. They’ve won 16 sectional titles in school history. They've won 31 straight games at Kelso Stadium. Winning isn't just a goal there; it’s basically the local law.
One thing to watch is the scheduling. There’s been talk about them adding more out-of-state opponents or even higher-class local teams to keep the strength of schedule up.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruits
If you're following Indiana high school football or looking at how New Pal stays so consistent, here is what you need to focus on:
- Watch the Ground Game: New Pal’s success is built on a physical, downhill running style. If they're averaging over 6 yards a carry, they aren't losing.
- Track the Defensive Turnovers: Against Cathedral, Andrew Davis had two interceptions. The defense is often overlooked because the offense scores so much, but they are the ones who create the short fields.
- Offseason Training: The Dragons' dominance in the fourth quarter is a direct result of their conditioning. They simply outlast teams.
To really understand the impact of this program, you have to look past the box score. The new palestine football score is the result of a system that hasn't changed much in a decade because it doesn't need to. They run the ball, they play disciplined defense, and they wait for you to make a mistake.
Check the MaxPreps rankings for the final 2025-2026 standings to see where they landed nationally. Currently, they are hovering around #114 in the country. For a school in a rural-ish part of Indiana, that is absolutely wild.
Stay tuned for the spring ball reports. The transition to the 2026 season starts way earlier than August for a team trying to go for a three-peat.