Iola High’s next opportunity to see how much the Mustang program has grown over the past two seasons will be a tough one.
The Mustangs will travel the familiar path down U.S. 169 to take on an old nemesis in Chanute High Friday, in what may be the final game between the two schools for the time being.
With the split of Class 4A into two divisions, and Iola moving last season from the Southeast Kansas League to the Pioneer League, the football schedule for 2014 and 2015 will not feature Iola-Chanute for the first time in decades.
Doug Kerr, IHS head coach, has paid little attention to that aspect of Friday’s game, nor does he much care how long its been since Iola has defeated Chanute — a 21-0 victory in 1988, for those keeping track.
More importantly to Kerr, Friday’s matchup starts district play. The games over the next three weeks will determine which schools will qualify for the postseason.
“These kids don’t care how we did against Chanute back in the 1990s or early 2000s,” Kerr said. “We haven’t talked about the history, and we won’t. All these kids know is they beat us last year.”
And Iola can’t put much weight on their most recent matchup, a 35-0 Blue Comet victory in 2012 played in monsoon-like conditions that delayed the start of the contest for about three hours.
If Iola is to snap its 24-game losing streak to the Blue Comets, the Mustangs will have to contend with an aggressive defense intent on creating havoc.
“They’re almost a high school version of the Kansas City Chiefs this season,” Kerr said. “They’re very good at getting to the ball, forcing turnovers and giving their offense a short field. Their linebackers are very good.
“Their defense will be our toughest challenge to date,” Kerr said.
Meanwhile, the Blue Comet offense is keyed by first-year starting quarterback Christian Wiltse, who replaces graduating standout Brock Gilmore.
“That completely changed their offense,” Kerr said. “A lot of their offense last year was predicated on their quarterback getting the ball to their big receivers. Now, their quarterback focuses much more on running the option. They have some good backs and receivers.”
To counter the Chanute attack, Iola may look to borrow a page or two from Central Heights, which controlled the ball for much of the game in a 28-7 win over Iola two weeks ago.
“Converting on third down will be pivotal for us,” he said. “We want to keep the ball away from their offense.”
Iola may be without the services of senior running back and defensive back Jacob Rhoads, who has been out of school this week due to illness.
“Even if he plays, it will be very limited,” Kerr said.
