The Iola Middle School Mustangs opened the week on a high note with a pair of victories over Anderson County Monday.
With their previous contest delayed due to weather, the first of two football games scheduled for this week ended in shutouts for the seven-grade Mustangs and their eighth-grade counterparts Monday.
Eighth-grade 29,
Anderson County 0
Iola coach Scott Ellish was pleased with the team’s performance. “Once we settled down, offensively, we were able to move the chains,” Ellis said. “One key offensive play was a toss-sweep-throwback from Milo Franklin to Mason Mueller. Mueller was then able to hit a 53-yard pass to Cade Curry, which set us up on the 3-yard line for Milo Franklin to punch in right before half.”
The touchdown was the first of two for Franklin, who rushed for more than 138 yards in the winning effort. Axtin Christensen rushed for 18. Although he didn’t complete a pass for a touchdown, Mueller did have a rushing touchdown to complement his 53 yards through the air.
Multiple Mustangs attempt to make a tackle during a game against Santa Fe Trail last week at Riverside Park.
Defensive back Austin Campbell had an astounding three interceptions. Ty Thomas had a team-leading eight tackles, Michael Hancock had seven, and Jayson Dorius had six.
“Our defense took over. They were super physical, stopping the run and Anderson County’s passing game,” Ellis said. “Hancock, Dorlus and Thomas played aggressively with several key tackles along with teammates.”
Seventh-grade 42, Anderson County 12
As for the seventh graders, they didn’t walk away with a shutout, but their win was just as convincing. Grayson Skahan accounted for nearly the entirety of the Mustangs’ offensive production, racking up 206 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Ellis believes Skahan’s offensive line played a large factor in his success.
“Greyson runs hard behind a big line,” Ellis said. “Defensively, Ron Ballard played huge for us. He held containment as a defensive end, making several key tackles and a sack. Colton Hall held his own tonight in tackles with seven. It was a group effort on defense.”
Once the dust settled, Hall also accounted for Iola’s other touchdown while rushing for 15 yards, just behind Matthew Holding. Ruben Scroggins also had a team-leading 42 yards receiving and five tackles.
