The Iola Mustangs continue searching for their first win after a calamity of errors resulted in a 43-14 loss to Wellsville in Friday’s home opener.
After jumping out to a 43-0 lead heading into halftime, the reigning Pioneer League champion Wellsville Eagles’ junior varsity took the field, effectively putting the game in cruise control. The Mustangs now drop to 0-2 this season and 0-1 in Pioneer League play.
“It was pretty frustrating. Just based on assignments alone, and doing what we were supposed to, it was pretty tough,” Iola coach David Daugharthy said. “We just have to clean it up. Once we figure out how to do our job, then everything is going to fall in place. Once we figure that out, we’ll be pretty good. But we’re not there yet.”
Wellsville senior running back Payton Otwell accounted for all but one of the Eagles’ touchdowns with five on the ground while rushing for more than 150 yards. Junior quarterback Pete Dorsey nearly eclipsed the 100-yard mark, rushing for 91 yards and completing 5 of 7 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.
A pair of Otwell touchdowns were separated by mere minutes. He guided the Eagles into the end zone following Iola’s opening kickoff. After making contact with the ensuing kickoff and allowing the ball to go out of bounds at the 1-yard line, Iola gave Wellsville a 9-0 lead on a one-play safety. Otwell then scored again from 7 yards out. A blocked punt followed Iola’s next possession, setting up another 28-yard Eagle touchdown as Wellsville put up 21 points before the end of the first quarter.
Iola’s errors continued until halfway through the third quarter, when junior quarterback Kale Pratt found junior receiver Jase Herrmann on a 55-yard post route for a touchdown, the Mustangs’ first of the season. With both teams subbing out their starters late in the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Reed Clift busted into the end zone from the 2-yard line.
“We started doing our assignments to give our QBs time to throw the ball,” Daugharthy said. “We had guys open throughout the game. We just didn’t have time to throw them the ball.”
The Mustangs hope to even their Pioneer League record to 1-1 when they head on the road to take on another undefeated Pioneer League team in the Santa Fe Trail Chargers. The Chargers opened the year by blasting Pioneer League foe Burlington 42-7 in their home opener, then spoiling Prairie View’s home opener with a 35-20 victory last Friday. However, following Friday’s game, Coach Daugharthy was more concerned with remedying Iola’s issues before developing a plan for Santa Fe Trail.
“It’s difficult right now. We’ve taken two tough losses against two difficult football teams,” Daugharthy said. “We just have to stay positive. We have to build on what we’re trying to do. Some of those kids really impressed me with their effort. They improved from last week and I’m pretty excited about that.”
Kickoff for Friday’s game is at 7 p.m.
