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HHC football report entering Week 8

Click for the 2018 HHC football report entering Week 8

Players of the Week

Offense: Christian Conkling, Pendleton Heights

Conkling ran for 97 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 8-of-15 passes for 107 yards and a TD in PH’s 35-16 victory over Delta.

Defense: Austin Hill, Yorktown

Hill had two interceptions in the Tigers’ victory over Greenfield-Central. He also had five solo tackles, seven total tackles and two pass breakups. He also had 122 receiving yards.   

Special teams: Maxen Hook, New Palestine

Hook had eight tackles on the Dragons’ kickoff unit during their victory over Shelbyville out of the Dragons’ 12 kickoffs.

News & notes

New Palestine took control of the HHC race with its 52nd straight conference victory last week, beating Shelbyville 77-7. Coupled with Delta’s loss to Pendleton Heights, the Dragons can clinch at least a share of their 10th HHC title with a victory Friday at New Castle. Delta, which hosts Greenfield-Central, is alone in second place at 4-1.

Yorktown won its second straight game behind another big offensive performance by Reid Neal. He threw for 215 yards and four TDs, and ran for 65 and a pair of scores. Austin Hill had 114 receiving yards for the Tigers. G-C freshman Gehrig Slunaker threw for a career-high 334 yards and two TDs.

Charlie Spegal continued his strong season for New Palestine. The nation’s leading scorer ran for 225 yards and six TDs and also had a 39-yard reception for a TD. He set NP’s single-season touchdowns record with 38.

PH moved into a third-place tie with its 35-16 win over Delta. Christian Conkling accounted for four TDs and Kamden Earley rushed for 85 yards and a score. Brady Hunt threw for 166 yards for the Eagles, 72 to Tyler Gilland.

Mt. Vernon also won its second straight game, beating New Castle 43-16. MV’s Tyson Harley threw for 292 yards and two TDs. Darell Jackson had 91 receiving yards for the Marauders. Drew Barber threw for 200 yards for NC – 96 to Luke Bumbalough.

Week 8 games

Greenfield-Central at Delta

The second-place Eagles are looking to bounce back from last week’s loss and stay in title contention. Delta has had tremendous balance, with 15 different scorers this year. G-C is seeking its first victory of the year. Jake Vance has emerged as a WR, moving to second in the HHC in receiving yards.

New Palestine at New Castle

The HHC’s top rushing attack matches up against one of the league’s top passing games. NP’s Charlie Spegal needs 150 yards to move into 25th all-time in IHSAA career rushing yards. Luke Bumbalough leads the HHC in receiving and had two TDs against NP last season. NP can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a victory at New Castle’s Neal Field.   

Shelbyville at Mt. Vernon

MV is coming off after back-to-back victories, including a 43-16 win over New Castle last week. Tyson Harley threw for 292 yards in that contest and has crossed the 1,000-yard mark. RB Matthew Merritt has been a bright spot for Shelbyville. He ran for 95 yards and a TD in last week’s loss to New Palestine,

Yorktown at Pendleton Hts.

QB Reid Neal has been red hot in the last two weeks, both Yorktown victories, as he has accounted for 14 touchdowns in two games. The host Arabians bounced back last week after back-to-back losses with an impressive victory over Delta. Kamden Earley is the HHC’s second-leading rusher. Two strong all-around two-way players – Yorktown’s Austin Hill and PH’s Anakin Allison – match up.