PARSONS — A talented Parsons High receiving corps and physical Viking defense made life miserable for Iola High’s Mustangs Friday.
The Vikings were able to connect on several tightly defended plays, scoring four times on long passes, usually just beyond the reach of the Mustang defensive backs.
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings were able to contain Iola’s offense at the line of scrimmage, snuffing any hopes for an Iola comeback in a 32-14 victory.
The loss drops Iola to 1-1 on the season as they gear up for a home tilt next week against Wellsville.
“They were more physical, and they were very quick,” Iola head coach David Daugharthy said.
Parsons struck quickly, taking advantage of an Iola fumble and a dropped snap on a punt attempt to score a pair of early touchdowns.
Iola found its groove late in the first period, marching 65 yards on six plays. The final six yards came when sophomore quarterback Landon Weide found senior wideout Brett Willis in the end zone for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 12-6.
And things looked even more promising when Iola’s Karson Sigg pulled in a Tra Mack pass for an interception at the Mustang 3. But after a quick first-down pass to Adam Atwell, Iola’s offense stalled, and a short punt allowed the Vikings to set up at the Iola 26.
It took the Vikings all of one play to respond, when Mack connected with Landon Wheat on a 26-yard touchdown pass, despite blanket coverage from Iola’s Devon Wilson.
“They had four touchdowns on deep balls, and really, we were in pretty good spots on all of them,” Daugharthy said. “We just couldn’t make plays.”
The defenses took over from there, stifling both offenses through the third quarter until Parsons put together a sustained drive that chewed up much of the fourth quarter.
Mack tossed his third touchdown of the game to Jessie Jones, covering 16 yards on fourth-and-five, to put the game out of reach with 6:35 left in the game.
Iola found the scoreboard again in the game’s waning moments when Deacon Perkins found Jarrett Herrmann for a 15-yard touchdown pass.
Daugharthy credited the Parsons defenders.
“We had them a couple times over the top, but their quickness took things away,” he said. “They did a good job.”
Unofficially, Weide was 12 of 26 for 100 yards, while Trent Jones rushed for 60 yards. Willis had 37 yards rushing and 36 yards receiving and a touchdown.
The Mustangs don’t have much time to mope, with a potent Wellsville squad that enters next week’s matchup at 2-0, having outscored its opponents by a collective 81-6.
