Mustang football fans were granted flashbacks to last weeks performance when Iola galloped into the locker room trailing 28-0. For the second straight week Iola was unable to get on the scoreboard in the first half.
Although Iola added a consolation touchdown late in the fourth quarter, it was another game where Iola was simply outplayed, losing 35-6 to Anderson County.
The Bulldogs started with the football, and marched 69 yards down the field to take the lead with a 1-yard run by quarterback Bo Dilliner.
Iola debuted its new I-formation offense, with Isaac Badders featured as the go to option in the backfield. The Mustangs looked improved on the offensive end, but were still unable to find the red zone in the games early stages. Iola was forced to punt it away on its first drive, and a seven-point deficit was doubled after a high snap over punter Kole Rogers head was returned for a Bulldog touchdown.
I think that really changed the game, head coach David Daugharthy said on the punt returned for a touchdown. Offensively we did move the ball at times tonight, so I was pleased with that. And defensively, we just couldnt get a push up front. They were more physical than us, and that was the reality why we couldnt stop them.
The Mustangs lost key defensive lineman Logan Brown in the second quarter, after he apparently suplexed a Bulldog to the ground. Even with Brown stuffing up gaps, Anderson County still was able to find running room, and the loss of Iolas best defensive player made matters worse. The Bulldogs added to their lead late in the second quarter, courtesy of another Dilliner rushing touchdown.
Trailing 21-0 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half, quarterback Casen Barker was stripped on a sack, handing possession over to the Bulldogs. Anderson County capitalized, and put Iola in a four-score deficit heading into halftime.
To start the second half, Iola had a new face at quarterback. Sophomore TJ Taylor took over duties under center, after Barker was sidelined for a disagreement with the Mustang coaching staff.
He did not treat me with respect, and if you dont treat the coach with respect you dont play, Daugharthy said. I would rather play somebody if they do what they are told, opposed to someone back talking coaches, even if they might be less talented.
Anderson County added another touchdown to start the fourth quarter, increasing their lead to 35-0.
The lone bright spot for the Mustangs came late in the fourth quarter, when Taylor hooked up with Zane Whitney for a 23-yard completion. The big play led to a 1-yard touchdown run to get Iola on the board.
I was very pleased with how TJ played, Daugharthy said. I was a little nervous putting TJ out there, but he showed me hes a fighter.
Badders led the Mustangs ground attack with 65-yards rushing on 18 attempts. Holden finished as Iolas second-leading rusher, earning 43 yards on 14 carries along with the Mustangs only touchdown. Whitney finished with 4 receptions for 25 yards.
On the defensive end, Whitney and Badders led with 8 tackles a piece. Despite exiting the game in the first half, Brown finished as Iolas second-leading tackler with 7.
The loss means Iola stays winless at 0-4 on the season, and 0-1 to start Pioneer League play.
Iola will stay at home next week, as they host Osawatomie for homecoming. The Mustangs will need to find the winning formula if they want this season to last longer than nine games.
