New Palestine (IN) football releases 2026 schedule

Includes matchups against IMG Academy (FL) and St. Francis (IL)

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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New Palestine High School in Indiana has officially announced its 2026 football schedule, which features several high-profile matchups. The Dragons will host national powerhouse IMG Academy from Florida as well as St. Francis from Illinois, a team ranked 19th in the state in 2025. New Palestine is coming off a 14-0 season and a Class 5A state championship in 2025.

Why it matters

This schedule showcases New Palestine's commitment to challenging its players by taking on some of the best high school football programs in the country. Facing off against elite teams like IMG Academy and St. Francis will help prepare the Dragons for another potential championship run and raise the profile of Indiana high school football nationally.

The details

New Palestine's 2026 schedule includes a preseason scrimmage against Columbus North, followed by home games against St. Francis (IL) and East Central. The Dragons will then hit the road to face Yorktown, Mt. Vernon, and Pendleton Heights before returning home to host Greenfield-Central. They'll wrap up the regular season with road games against Roncalli and a home finale against IMG Academy (FL).

  • New Palestine's 2026 football schedule was officially announced in late March 2026.
  • The Dragons will open their season at home on August 21, 2026 against St. Francis (IL).
  • New Palestine will host national powerhouse IMG Academy (FL) on October 9, 2026.

The players

Kyle Ralph

The head coach of the New Palestine High School football team.

IMG Academy Ascenders

A national high school football powerhouse program based in Bradenton, Florida.

St. Francis

A high school football team from Illinois that was ranked 19th in the state in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“They are one of the premier programs in the United States, drawing kids from all over the country and even internationally. We needed a game and as a head coach my philosophy is we don't back away from challenges we take them head on.”

— Kyle Ralph, Head Coach (on3.com)

“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.”

— Kyle Ralph, Head Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This schedule showcases New Palestine's commitment to challenging its players by taking on some of the best high school football programs in the country, which will help prepare the Dragons for another potential championship run and raise the profile of Indiana high school football nationally.