Mustang offense stymied in 35-0 loss

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Sports

September 6, 2014 - 12:00 AM

CARBONDALE — Iola High’s football team couldn’t get its offense up to speed in their season opener Friday, a 35-0 loss to Santa Fe Trail.
“I don’t know if we showed up for play one, we gave up a quick score and offensively, we couldn’t sustain any drives,” coach Doug Kerr said. “So, the defense got tired early being out there for too many snaps.”
The story of the became evident in the opening drives for both teams.
Iola started with a quick three-and-out.
After a good punt return, the Chargers’ offense took control early, scoring on its first drive.
Running back Darric Cashier rushed into the end zone on a 12-yard run.
After another three-and-out on offense, the Mustang defense was back on the field.
A fumble recovery gave the Mustangs great field possession at the Charger 36. But nothing came of it as the Mustang offense gave the ball back on downs.
The Charger’s offense took advantage. Quarterback Weston Gloss connected for a 51-yard touchdown pass with his receiver to take a 14-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close.
Another failed fourth-down conversion stalled a potential Iola drive early in the second quarter.
This time the Gloss got Iola’s number again late in the half, with a 66-yard touchdown pass, easily beating the Mustang secondary. The Chargers took a 21-0 lead into halftime.
Santa Fe Trail’s Chaz Wright ran back the third-quarter kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach. Cashier capped the scoring midway through the third quarter on a three-yard run.
The Mustangs were held to 84 yards of total offense — 59 yards on the ground and 25 through the air. Iola was held to three first downs. The Chargers had 333 yards of offense.
Kerr noted 14 of Iola’s 22 starters on offense and defense had never started a varsity game before Friday. Conversely, returned 16 seniors.
Kerr said that they looked like they were ready to turn their season around. Santa Fe Trail went 1-8 in 2013, and hadn’t won a home game in more than seven years — until Friday.
“We were very tentative on defense and I think that hurt us early,” Kerr said. “(The Chargers) were excited and giving them that early touchdown built up their momentum.
“Right now I think we are developing a passing game,” he continued. “And until you can develop a passing game that can hurt people, they’re going to stack up the box and make you earn it.”
The Mustangs host their homecoming game against Prairie View 7 p.m. Friday.

           

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