Cool weather came right on cue.
It’s high school football night for area teams and it feels like fall today.
Tonight’s games played in cool temperatures will be a big change for the players. They’ve had to go through two-a-days and daily practices in some hot weather the past few weeks.
All that conditioning, those skill drills and the hitting each other come together tonight, boys. This is it. The slate is clean for each team — Iola High’s Mustangs, Humboldt High’s Cubs, Marmaton Valley High’s Wildcats, Yates Center High’s Wildcats, Uniontown High’s Eagles, Southern Coffey County High’s Titans and Crest High’s Lancers.
For the Mustangs, they are on the road to open the 2010 season. They go to the Bulldogs’ house — Independence High’s team is full of returners and have last year’s top running back in the Southeast Kansas League.
“We have a great relationship as coaches,” said Carl Boldra, Bulldog head coach, talking about the Independence coaching staff and Rick Horton and the Iola coaching staff. “We know Rick, who has done a great job in Iola, will have his kids ready to play. Both teams have to be excited about getting to hit a different color jersey (tonight).”
Mustang head coach Rick Horton takes his team into the season opener with some questions. The biggest come up front along the offensive line.
“We’re going to rotate seven guys in those five spots (tonight). We’re out to find a line that works well under the lights,” Horton said.
The Mustang offensive line will be anchored by three seniors in Kyle Heffern, Drew Shepherd (both starters from last year) and Sam Shallah, who has stepped in as center. Junior Blake Appling was a starter on the line last year also then there’s junior Brad Bazo. Zach Crawford, another junior, and sophomore Eli Grover will rotate in to help the Mustangs keep fresh bodies up front.
Tonight’s game will showcase two of the SEK’s top running backs. Iola has four-year starting tailback Marcus Sullivan, who was knocked out with an injury from last year’s meeting. Matt Bromley led the SEK in rushing last year with more than 2,000 yards and a league-record 29 touchdowns.
“We play a high risk, high reward defense. We’re going to slant and blitz a lot. We’re out to force turnovers. Our goal again this year is to force 30 turnovers. We have to make the plays, swarm to the football,” Horton said.
The Mustangs believe they have a solid linebacking corps again. It is led by returners Kyle Heffern and Shepherd and senior Charles Apt, who moved from free safety to linebacker this year. Sophomores Stephen McDonald and Mason Coons are newcomers.
Again it will be defensive line play that is a question. Bazo and Crawford plus sophomore Devon Burton draw starting duties.
The strength of the defense comes from Sullivan and juniors Jerrik Sigg and Clint Heffern as defensive backs.
Friday lights shine on boys of fall
