BALDWIN — The Iola Mustangs will not have long to lick their wounds from Friday’s 46-0 shutout to the Baldwin Bulldogs.
The Pioneer League champion Wellsville comes to town Friday.
Now, the Mustangs must regroup.
“They were definitely more physical. They were definitely more confident,” Iola coach David Daugharthy said of the Baldwin Bulldogs. “It felt like that was a much more inexperienced football team out there. And it showed. We’ve seen them make what they didn’t make tonight. The moment was too big for them at times. We’re a young, inexperienced team.”
Daugharthy did not give any specifics about Iola’s shortcomings. Even before Friday’s game, the Mustangs were missing All-Pioneer League selection Easton Weseloh, who continues to rehabilitate a leg injury. Standout plug defensive tackle Ramon Ballin left the game early, carted off of the field with an apparent leg injury just minutes into the game.
“We just have to grow from tonight. I told them at halftime ‘I know we’re a better team than that,’” Daugharthy said. “We just didn’t show it tonight. It’s an opportunity to learn. When something doesn’t go your way, then it’s an opportunity to learn. Whatever happens now or it happens later, if we approach it with a positive mentality we’re going to be in a better spot.”
Wellsville may prove to be an even challenge. The Eagles demolished Anderson County, 34-7, last Friday.
After finishing with an 11-1 record in 2024, state officials named WHS coach Mike Berg a coach for the 2025 Shrine Bowl.
Even so, Daugharthy feels Iola could be in a better spot following Friday’s game against Wellsville. Daugharthy said he saw flashes of his team’s potential and if they continue improving day by day those flashes will evolve into sustained success. 
“I saw flashes of kids making the right play in certain moments,” Daugharthy said. “Then they would come back and just not make it. Under the Friday night lights, they just seemed scared. Intimidated, like they’re just not used to it, not ready for game speed. We’re going to get there. It’s just a matter of fixing those mistakes and building on the positives we have.”
