Iola High football is back in action for the first game of the season on Friday when the Mustangs travel to Santa Fe Trail in Carbondale for a Pioneer League showdown. IOLA head coach Doug Kerr knows to expect a challenge from Chargers’ senior running back Darric Cashier. LAST SEASON, Iola finished the year 5-4. The Mustangs won their week one game against Cherryvale 5-4. The team’s biggest win came in week six against Wellsville, 38-20. It became the tiebreaker for naming league champion. Both Iola and Wellsville finished with a 4-1 record in the league. SINCE THIS IS the first game of the season, Kerr hopes this will be used to see how the Mustangs progressed in the offseason and continue to move forward.
This is the Chargers’ first season in the Pioneer League due to realignment. They’re coming from the Big Seven League last season, finishing 1-8. The Chargers’ won the first game of the 2013 season 28-22 against Royal Valley, which went winless on the season. The Chargers then lost their next eight contests. Some notable performances were a 14-7 loss to Jefferson West (7-3) and a 14-13 loss to Eudora (5-4).
Now, Santa Fe Trail gets a chance to start over in the Pioneer League and hosts the two-time defending league champions.
“That’s quite a test to start the season with, going against the team that has won (the Pioneer League) the past two years,” Santa Fe Trail coach Jayson Duncan said. “They’re going to bring their best against us.”
Duncan said the Chargers have 13 seniors, eight of whom have had significant playing time. Some have started for three or four seasons. Weston Gloss is the team’s starting quarterback. Skylar Swaney is a returning starter on the offensive and defensive lines.
“I expect them to run the ball pretty well, they have a running back coming back from last year that ran for 800 to 1,000 yards,” Kerr said. “He’s a good running back and they’re going to run a little different defense that we are not used to seeing.”
Along with Cashier’s running ability, Kerr expects Santa Fe Trail to look at making a statement.
“They are basically like Iola two years ago when we came out of the SEK and came to the Pioneer League,” Kerr said. “I think we had that mindset of it being a fresh start, we never have seen any of these teams. So, we are going to get their best effort because if they can make a statement by beating us week one, they can really send a message to everybody else.”
A big factor in determining Friday night’s winner may have to do with Mother Nature. Kerr noted there is a 40 percent chance of rain, so holding onto the ball will be a must.
Kerr also stressed the team is confident in its backfield.
Before the season, Kerr said juniors Brice Aiello and Keanen Badders would get the majority of the carries.
“For us to win, turnovers are going to be huge and dealing with the elements,” Kerr said. “Even though it’s not going to be as hot, it’s still four full quarters of action. Kids can get dehydrated and it’s how we deal with that.”
“It’s kind of going to be a work in progress for us,” Kerr said. “We tweaked the offense from last year and put in some more running plays.
“We had a little more play action and drop backs too. Our goal is to be peaking in weeks seven, eight and nine. We want to win along the way and we’re going up there with the intention of winning, but the main goal is to progress week-by-week to get to week seven.”
Chargers’ coach Duncan said he was excited at the chance to not only play the Mustangs in week one, but also to have the game at home.
“We haven’t won a home game in seven or eight years,” Duncan said. “So our fans are looking forward to the opportunity to start the season at home.”
Mustangs visit league newcomer Santa Fe Trail
