On superhero night in the student section, the Iola Mustangs were unable to find their powers against Wellsville.
The Mustangs are now 0-2 after dropping their home opener 33-21 against Wellsville.
After a scoreless first quarter, Wellsville struck first blood with a 31-yard completion from Luke Richards to Drake Aamold to make the score 6-0 after the failed 2-point conversion. The Eagles added to their lead with less than 2 minutes remaining to increase their lead to 12.
Iola was able to make the most of its possession before heading into the second half. The drive was propelled by a 35-yard from Isaac Badders to put the Mustangs on the Wellsville 25. Quarterback Casen Barker followed with 10-yard completion to Austin Rowe putting Iola in the red zone for the first time all game. Badders capped of the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run, and Pieter Venters extra point made the score 12-7.
Wellsville received the ball with less than 30 seconds on the clock. After an incomplete pass on first down, Eagle running back Anthony Signs broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown run to break Mustang hearts heading into halftime, making the score 18-7.
That was a huge blow, because I felt pretty good heading into halftime after the score, Mustang head coach David Daugharthy said. It seemed like a typical Iola play. And last week we had things like that happen to us and were able to bounce back. But this week it seemed like we had no fight left in us.
Iola received the second half kickoff, but was unable to get any momentum on offense. Wellsvile added to its lead with another rushing touchdown from Signs, this time for 23 yards, increasing the Eagle lead to 26-7.
Our linebackers were running too flat tonight, and our safeties werent filling like they normally would, Daugharthy said. That was not the same defense Ive seen all summer, and the flashes I saw last year. I was caught off guard by our defensive performance tonight.
Before the end of the third, Wellsville put the game to bed with Signs earning his third touchdown of the day, putting Iola in a 33-7 hole before the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs were able to find some late consolation scores. Holden Barkers 1-yard plunge gave the freshman fullback his third touchdown of the season, and Casen hooked up with Drake Sellman for a 65-yard passing touchdown. But it was too late as the Mustangs dropped their second straight contest of the season
Casen completed 10-13 for 92 yards and two interceptions. The ground game was led by Badders, who accumulated 75 yards on 13 carries. Sellman led all receivers with 5 receptions for 83 yards.
Iolas defense was unable to make a stop after a strong first quarter. Logan Brown led the Mustang defense with 10 tackles along with a blocked extra point. Casen also chipped in 10 tackles.
The Mustangs travel south to Chanute next weekend, and hope to earn their first win in more than 30 years against the Blue Comets.
If Iola hopes to get this season heading in the right direction, there is no better way than to put old demons to bed.
We just have to evaluate ourselves and what we are trying to do, Daugharthy said. We have to put the team first and be willing to do whatever the team needs, opposed to what we need as individuals. It seemed like some of what we were doing tonight on defense was individual, and team defense doesnt let those types of plays happen.
