WELLSVILLE It was cause for celebration Thursday evening in Wellsville as the seventh and eighth-grade Pony football teams celebrated the clinching of a Pioneer League championship.
The eighth-graders wrapped up an undefeated 7-0 season with a 28-14 win over the Eagles while the seventh-grade finished 6-1 after a close 14-8 win.
The win also wrapped up an undefeated middle school campaign for the Iola eighth-graders following a perfect 2017 season.
The eighth-grade Ponies jumped out to an early 12-0 lead after a 16-yard touchdown run for Holden Barker in the first quarter and a 48-yard touchdown pass from Carter Hutton to Jarrett Herrmann.
Wellsville responded and took the lead with two touchdowns before the end of the half. A successful two-point conversion gave the Eagles a 14-12 advantage heading into the half.
Barker grabbed his second touchdown of the game from seven yards out and the successful two-point conversion catch by Preston Hurst put Iola back on top 20-14 in the third quarter.
Iolas defense stayed strong and kept Wellsville off the board throughout the entire second half allowing Herrmann to add a 32-yard insurance touchdown run in the fourth quarter, pushing the Ponies lead to 28-14 after a two-point conversion run for Barker.
Barker ended his day with 168 yards on 27 carries. Herrmann had 34 yards on two carries and 64 receiving yards on two catches.
Carter Hutton was 3-4 passing for 69 yards.
What a way to end the season with a very talented group of student-athletes, head coach Scott Ellis said. We were down at half but not out. The boys picked up the intensity in the second half and took care of business. Holden Barker had a great night of rushing along with Jarrett Herrmann. Our defense has been tough all year and tonights game was a challenge and the boys competed to the end.
THE SEVENTH grade started things off with a five-yard touchdown for Gage Skahan. Skahan also ran in the two-point conversion and Iola started things off with an 8-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Ponies held that lead through the second and part of the third quarter before Wellsville tied things up with a 39-yard touchdown run.
Landon Weide regained the lead later in the quarter on a two-yard quarterback-keeper. The two-point conversion failed so Iolas lead stood at 14-8.
The Pony defense clamped down for the final quarter and the seventh-graders came away with a win and a share of the league title.
Im very proud of the boys, Ellis said. The kids worked hard and their record reflects their efforts. We kept improving as the season progressed along with our confidence. We stepped up tonight against a tough Wellsville team.
Up next for the middle school boys is wrestling season. Their first meet of the season is at Burlington on Nov. 1.
