No cool weather for the start of 2011 high school football season in Kansas. The forecast is hot, hot and hot for the next couple of days.
That means under the Friday Night Lights tomorrow, Iola High’s Mustangs, Humboldt High Cubs, Marmaton Valley High Wildcats, Crest High Lancers, Southern Coffey County High Titans, Uniontown High Eagles and Yates Center High Wildcats will be up against not just their opponents across the line of scrimmage but also the heat. Coaches and game officials will be watching closely throughout the game. There will be water breaks for sure called by the officials to keep the players safe.
All that conditioning, those skill drills and hitting each other come together Friday. This is it. The slate is clean for the seven area high school football teams.
For the Mustangs, this is the final roll through the Southeast Kansas League. They move to the Pioneer League next year.
Friday, the Mustangs host Independence High’s Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are transitioning from having the top rusher and scorer in the SEK — Matt Bromley — out of the backfield. Head coach Carl Boldra is pleased with the way his players have stepped up to fill roles left open by graduation.
Iola High’s Mustangs are after a win. It has been 11 consecutive losses dating back to the end of the 2009 season.
“Our kids have had really good practices this week. We’re ready to hit somebody else,” said Mustang head coach Rick Horton. “We’re out to establish the running game and put together drives. That is something we did not do well last year.
“We have some depth in positions that will help us on both sides of the football.”
Always, the season opener is important. Both teams are looking to get a win to set the tone for the season. Stakes are always high under Friday Night Lights.
Boldra said “it’s sad that this will be the final SEK game between the two teams but you have to do what you have to do.”
“The kids are ready to play and we believe this team is going to have a successful season,” Horton said.
Today, Iola High’s tennis team — girls — host a meet starting at 3 o’clock. Volleyball is underway. Cross country runners open the season today.
