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The New Palestine football program will get a visit from one of the country’s top teams next season.
New Palestine, the reigning Class 5A state champion, will host IMG Academy from Bradenton, Fla., in Week 8 of the 2026 season (Oct. 9). IMG Academy previous played in Indiana against Ben Davis in the 2023 season, defeating the Class 6A state champion Giants 34-14 in Week 4.
“They are one of the premier programs in the United States, drawing kids from all over the country and even internationally,” New Palestine coach Kyle Ralph said. “We needed a game and as a head coach my philosophy is we don't back away from challenges we take them head on. Moreso, my players work too hard in the off-season for us to just take a bye week and lose an opportunity for them to compete. As a result, our program and players have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome one of the best programs in the country from Bradenton, Florida to New Palestine. We are thrilled for the opportunity to compete and see how willing our kids are to match up against the absolute best of the best.”
New Palestine, which won the Class 4A state title in 2024 and will take a 28-game winning streak into the season, needed to add nonconference games as the Hoosier Heritage Conference goes through a transition. The Dragons will also play Wheaton St. Francis (Ill.) in Week 1 at home. Wheaton St. Francis was 11-3 last season and won the Class 5A state title in Illinois.
New Palestine will also play host to perennial power East Central in Week 2 before getting into conference play. The other non-conference game is at Roncalli in Week 7.
The games against Wheaton St. Francis and IMG Academy will be the Dragons’ first against out-of-state programs in the 59-year history of the program. Ralph has led New Palestine to five state titles and a 155-14 record in his tenure.
IMG Academy was 9-0 last season and ranked No. 5 in the country by High School Football America.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA football: New Palestine will play IMG Academy in Week 8 of 2026 high school football season
Continue reading...
New Palestine, the reigning Class 5A state champion, will host IMG Academy from Bradenton, Fla., in Week 8 of the 2026 season (Oct. 9). IMG Academy previous played in Indiana against Ben Davis in the 2023 season, defeating the Class 6A state champion Giants 34-14 in Week 4.
“They are one of the premier programs in the United States, drawing kids from all over the country and even internationally,” New Palestine coach Kyle Ralph said. “We needed a game and as a head coach my philosophy is we don't back away from challenges we take them head on. Moreso, my players work too hard in the off-season for us to just take a bye week and lose an opportunity for them to compete. As a result, our program and players have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome one of the best programs in the country from Bradenton, Florida to New Palestine. We are thrilled for the opportunity to compete and see how willing our kids are to match up against the absolute best of the best.”
New Palestine, which won the Class 4A state title in 2024 and will take a 28-game winning streak into the season, needed to add nonconference games as the Hoosier Heritage Conference goes through a transition. The Dragons will also play Wheaton St. Francis (Ill.) in Week 1 at home. Wheaton St. Francis was 11-3 last season and won the Class 5A state title in Illinois.
New Palestine will also play host to perennial power East Central in Week 2 before getting into conference play. The other non-conference game is at Roncalli in Week 7.
The games against Wheaton St. Francis and IMG Academy will be the Dragons’ first against out-of-state programs in the 59-year history of the program. Ralph has led New Palestine to five state titles and a 155-14 record in his tenure.
IMG Academy was 9-0 last season and ranked No. 5 in the country by High School Football America.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. And be sure to subscribe to our new IndyStarTV: Preps YouTube channel.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA football: New Palestine will play IMG Academy in Week 8 of 2026 high school football season
Continue reading...
