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HHC football report entering Week 5, 2018

Click here for the HHC football report entering Week 5 of the 2018 season

Players of the Week

Offense: Charlie Spegal, New Palestine

Spegal ran for 261 yards and six touchdowns in the Dragons’ 64-0 victory over Mt. Vernon. He reached the 5,000-yard mark for his career in the contest.

Defense: Stephen Spears, New Castle

Spears had 18 solo tackles and five assists in the Trojans’ 41-18 victory over Shelbyville. He had two solo tackles in goal-line stand.

Special teams: Alex Kropp, New Palestine

Kropp continued his strong kicking this season, going 7-for-7 on extra points and hitting a 32-yard field goal against Mt. Vernon. Kropp is now 32-for-32 on PATs and 3-3 on FGs.

News and notes

New Palestine’s Charlie Spegal reached a big milestone Friday, amassing 5,000 yards on the ground in a career at NP and Delta. According to MaxPreps, he leads the nation with 21 rushing touchdowns and ranks 23rd nationally with 830 yards.

Luke Bumbalough had 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns for New Castle in a 41-18 win over Shelbyville. He also threw a pass for 24 yards. Gage Burk added 119 yards, as the Trojans amassed 365 on the ground.

PH had a strong game throwing the ball despite the rain last week, as Christian Conkling was 10-17 and Anakin Allison caught four passes for 94 yards in its win over Greenfield-Central. Kamden Early had 101 yards on the ground, his third 100-yard game this season.

Dylan Cole had a big game on the ground for Mt. Vernon, rushing for 134 yards against New Palestine.

Delta has gained more than 1,000 yards of offense and had great balance in two HHC wins. Conner Bedwell’s 101-yard rushing effort led a 414-yard game last week.

Two defenses posted shutouts last week. Pendleton Heights posted its first shutout since August 23, 2013 with a 50-0 victory over Greenfield-Central last week. New Palestine had its second of the season against MV.

Friday’s games

New Palestine at Pendleton Heights (New Pal Radio, WEEM)

Two of the HHC’s co-leaders match up this week with at least a share of the conference lead on the line. The matchup features two veteran teams, with PH’s Christian Conkling and Eli Pancol leading an explosive passing game in which Pancol has six TDs on 13 catches. NP’s Charlie Spegal has led a tremendous ground attack that averages more than 10 yards per carry. Both defenses posted shutouts last week.

Mt. Vernon at Delta (WXFN)

The Eagles are 2-0 to start conference play and are getting big contributions from their offense, which has spread the ball around to several backs in wins over Shelbyville and Yorktown. Wesley Stitt and Wesley Woodin lead the Eagles’ ground game. MV’s Dylan Cole had a 100-yard game in a loss last week. MV’s Tyson Harley leads the HHC in passing with 662 yards.

Yorktown at New Castle 

Two of the league’s top passing attacks meet up, as Yorktown’s Reid Neal (643 yards, 8 TDs) and NC’s Drew Barber (468 yards, 10 TDs) meet up. Last year, these two teams played a 62-55 game NC won in overtime.

Greenfield-C. at Shelbyville (WSVX)

Both teams are seeking their first victories of the season. Landon Watson has had a strong start to the conference season, throwing for 237 yards in two games. Spencer Johnson leads G-C with 235 rushing yards.