Iola High’s junior varsity Mustangs dominated Monday night’s football game against visiting Labette County High’s Grizzlies.
Following a 30-minute delay after the game got started, the Mustangs scored three second-quarter touchdowns on their way to a 30-0 victory. The win pushed the junior varsity record to 4-2.
“It was a good game and the kids played pretty well,” said Ron Schomaker, Iola High assistant coach. “It was a game we should win and the guys went out and did what they were capable of doing and put a solid game together.”
The game kicked off then players, coaches, and fans were sent inside or to their cars by game officials when there was lightning in the area. The storm passed through and after a 30-minute delay play resumed in the rain.
On the first play of the second quarter, John Whitworth capped a Mustang drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Whitworth, who had 89 yards rushing on 17 carries and two catches for 25 yards, ran in the two-point conversion. Iola led 8-0.
Under two minutes later, Mason Coons found Zeph Larney for a 19-yard scoring pass play. Whitworth tacked on the two-point conversion.
Then on one untimed down at the end of the first half, Coons’ pass to the end zone was caught by Whitworth in between two Labette County defenders. The play covered 33 yards. Iola didn’t convert on a two-point pass leaving it with a 22-0 halftime lead.
The only score of the second half was a six-yard run by Jacob Rhoads in the third quarter. Coons ran in the two-point conversion.
Coons had 15 yards on four carries for Iola and was 6 of 9 for 99 yards passing. Adam Kauth completed 2 of 4 passes for 29 yards and threw an interception. He rushed five times for a minus-12 yards.
Rhoads had 17 yards on two carries and Tyler Clubline had four yards on seven carries. Stephen McDonald had two carries for 11 yards.
Larney caught two passes for 34 yards. Eric Heffern had two receptions for five yards while Corey Taylor hauled in one pass for 35 yards and Bryce Misenhelter caught one for 29 yards.
Leading the Mustang defense was McDonald with five unassisted tackles and two assisted tackles. Zach Crawford came up with three unassisted tackles. Braden Larson and Taylor each had a fumble recovery.
Larson, Rhoads and Blake Appling each had one solo stop and two assisted tackles. Kauth and Taylor each had one solo tackle and one assisted tackle. Clubine had two unassisted tackles. Heffern, Kody Mullins, Tyler McIntosh and Devon Burton each had one solo tackle and Larney had one unassisted tackle.
Iola goes to Fort Scott next Monday for its final junior varsity game. Game time is 7 p.m.
Mustang JV runs over LCHS
