Still plenty on line for Mustangs, Bulldogs

While neither team will advance to the postseason — Iola High was eliminated last week with its 27-13 loss to Fort Scott, and Anderson County High is winless — there is still plenty on the line Thursday when the teams meet for their season finale.
First off, the Mustangs must win in order to secure their second consecutive Pioneer League title and second straight winning season.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, want to overcome a season of struggles and injuries with their young team and end with a win.
“Nobody wants to go winless,” Iola head coach Doug Kerr said. “I know they’re going to come out fired up and do everything they can to win.”
The Mustangs bring a 4-4 overall record and a 3-1 Pioneer League mark into the Halloween night contest. A win pulls Iola even with Wellsville in league standings, however the Mustangs will be declared league champions because of their 38-20 victory Oct. 11.
“Anytime you can play for a title in your final game is big,” Kerr said. “We haven’t lost anybody’s focus, even though we felt like we let one get away last week in Fort Scott.”
Anderson County stands at 0-8 overall and 0-4 in Pioneer League.
The Bulldogs have had to contend with a small senior and sophomore class, coupled with injuries that have plagued the team for much of the season.
Head coach Don Hilliard counted five sophomore starters in one game, and has had as many as eight get regular playing time.
“It’s been a tough year for us injury-wise, but that’s not an excuse,” he said. “We knew with our numbers we were going to struggle this year.”
Still, the team continues to go all-in, even with a schedule that has featured the likes of regional high school powers Fort Scott, Chanute and St. Mary’s Colgan.
“Our league schedule is tough enough to go with those teams,” Hilliard said. “It is what it is.”
Anderson County will look to stop Iola’s rushing attack, Hilliard said.
“It’s not complicated,” he said. “That’s what we try to do every week. Take away the opponent’s running game and force them to throw.”
Meanwhile, the Bulldog offense will be guided by senior quarterback Zach Hilliard — Coach Hilliard’s son — who has lined up primarily as quarterback, and on occasion, tailback.
Hilliard is near 1,000 yards rushing and 700 yards passing for the season.
“He’s been, for the most part, our most consistent performer,” Coach Hilliard said.
Anderson County has two main targets in its passing game. Senior Ryan Alley averages more than 14 yards per reception. He leads the Bulldogs with 19 catches.
Senior Eric Small, meanwhile, also has become a receiving threat, Hilliard said.
“Our fullback, Lee Koch, has done some good things as well.”
Anderson County’s offense may be one of the toughest to prepare for, Kerr said.
“I’ve seen film of four of their games, and they essentially ran four different offenses,” he said. “This week has been essentially working on things we do well. We’ll see what kind of offense they have Thursday, and adjust to it.”

THE WEATHER may also play a factor. Heavy rains pelted the Riverside Park football field Tuesday morning, with more rain forecast tonight and Thursday morning.
“The weather may clear out by then, but the field may be a mess,” Kerr said. “It could be a slog-fest.”
The season finale may have a festive feel, particularly since it’s on Halloween night.
“The guys have done a nice job of not letting Halloween be a distraction,” Kerr said.
As they’ve done all season, the Mustangs will honor an era of past football teams. Thursday’s will celebrate Iola’s players from the 1950s and 1960s.
In addition, long-time Iolan Harvey Rogers, the first black athlete to play football in the Southeast Kansas League, will be on the Iola sideline as an honorary captain.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.