TOPEKA — Playing in one final game together, Iola High’s Connor Frazell, Chris Heffern and Kyler Thompson were on the winning South squad of the inaugural U.S. Army Friendship Bowl.
In a defensive game, the South had Frazell to give it the kick it needed in Saturday’s all-star game. Frazell, the Kansas Class 4A all-state placekicker, accounted for all of the South’s points in a 9-6 win.
The teams were tied at 6-6 after four quarters of play. In overtime, Heffern and Thompson and the rest of the South defense held the North without a score.
Three carries by Manhattan’s Derrick Campbell put the South at the one-yard line. Frazell kicked a 19-yard field goal to end the contest.
The all-star game was played at Topeka’s Hummer Sports Park.
Frazell had a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter to put the South up 3-0. The lone touchdown in the game was a recovered fumble by the North defense in the end zone. That came in the second quarter.
Another 34-yard field goal by Frazell in the third period tied the game at 6-6.
Both Heffern and Thompson started for the South defense. Thompson had six unassisted tackles, five assisted tackles and forced a fumble. Heffern had three solo stops, three assisted tackles and broke up a pass.
Iola High head coach Rick Horton coached the South’s defensive line.
Frazell is headed to Butler Community College in El Dorado to play football this fall. Thompson and Heffern will be playing for Pittsburg State.
As part of the all-star weekend, a seven-on-seven football tournament was held Friday at Topeka’s Highland Park High School.
Iola’s Mustangs went 4-1 as did two other teams in the event. The Mustangs were awarded the championship on the basis of a tiebreaking system.
“We scored more points overall than the other teams,” Horton said after the tournament.
Frazell’s field goal gives South OT win
