By Grady Lapczynski, Olivia Witters, and Makayla Karnes
History rewrote itself October 11, 2019 as then undefeated New Prairie took down the mighty Penn Kingsman. Although last Friday the Cougars lost a heartbreaking game to Elkhart Central on a last second field goal, the Penn victory remains the highlight of the season. Cougar football fans, students, and alumni for the first time in school history can celebrate a victory over the Kingsmen.
Down 17-14 with two minutes to play, the Cougars, led by star Quarterback Chase Ketterer, were marching down into the Kingsmen five yard line. Faced with a controversial fourth and one, Ketterer waved off the Offensive Coordinator and turned to Offensive linemen Adam Borror, Sophomore, to win the game.
“I was surprised with the play call, but I was ready to go when my name was called,'' stated Borror.
In the game’s final moments, Ketterer turned down Offensive Coordinator Tyler Radtke and got the thumbs up from Head Coach Russ Radtke to give Borror the ball.
The Cougars near blowout loss to the Kingsmen in the 2018 season (35-7) did nothing but fuel the fire.
After the Cougars got moved from the South Division where they play smaller schools, to the Northern Division where they play 5A and 6A schools such as Penn and Mishawaka, they’ve been nothing but dominant.
In their first two years in the Northern Division they have a combined record of 15-5.
The New Prairie vs Penn game had a record three thousand people who attended the game. Fans and students were lined up shoulder to shoulder in the bleachers and up against the fence line.
“There was definitely a buzz in the atmosphere that night.” Stated Athletic Director Ben Bachmann.
The Cougars are now 1-1 all time against the Kingsmen.
New Carlisle high school played Penn high school every year from 1960-66 with penn taking the series 4-1-2. Where every year they would battle for the Traveling trophy which was later retired and is now in an exhibit at historic New Carlisle High School.
“This will for sure spark a rivalry,” Bachmann explained.
Starting last year New Prairie and Penn will begin to play every year.
Decades ago the idea of New Prairie beating Penn seemed out of the realm of possibility.
“The thought of lining up and going toe-to-toe with Penn was just not realistic.” Stated New Prairie graduate Kenny Peterson, Head Broadcaster for New Prairie football.
Penn High School is a 6A school filled with 3,345 students and counting. With over 70 kids who joined the football team.
“Anytime a team beats the perennial power, a team will start having more confidence going into a game where you’re out matched.” Said Bachmann.
Before the game started, the athletic office was getting calls about the game and they were in fear of selling out.
“It was the 12th man - THE FANS - that made a huge impact on that game,” Peterson said.
“New Prairie had to knock off the Kingsmen in order to stay undefeated and stay in the hunt for the conference championship,” said Bachmann.
New Prairie hasn’t beaten a team with the resume and history like Penn. Penn has won five state championships and have eight state runner ups. When a small team defeats a powerhouse with three times their students, everyone will be on the alert.
“It’s a big accomplishment for us to beat a school three times our size, but also a school that’s had a long line of success.” Stated Bachmann.
The Cougars are ready to make a run for the State Championship and with a win against Penn gives them all the confidence to go out and get it done.
Correction: originally we failed to include the proper context for Kenn Peterson's quote about "The thought of lining up and going toe-to-toe with Penn was just not realistic," it was corrected as of 10/30/19.