FORT SCOTT — For the second week in a row, Iola High’s junior varsity football team had to wait out a weather delay.
On Monday, the Mustangs started their final game of the season about 40 minutes later than scheduled. The Tiger junior varsity defeated the Mustangs 30-12.
Lightning and rain in the Fort Scott area delayed the freshman game between Fort Scott and Pittsburg St. Mary’s-Colgan three times.
The Tigers took full advantage of a bad snap on Iola’s punt attempt. They used a short field to take an 8-0.
Iola lost starting tailback John Whitworth with a knee injury with 3:37 left in the first quarter. Whitworth did not return.
Fort Scott capped a long drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
The Mustangs finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second period. Fort Scott’s Straton Hunziker gave up on a pass, which was ruled a lateral, but Iola’s Jacob Rhoads didn’t.
Rhoads scooped up the football and raced 24 yards for the touchdown. A two-point conversion run failed.
Iola trailed 16-6 at halftime.
“We started out slow. The delays hurt our focus,” said Ron Schomaker, IHS assistant coach. “The kids came back out and physically got after it in the second half.”
Fort Scott recovered a Rhoads’ fumble late in the third quarter. The Tigers scored on a long pass play to go up 24-6. Fort Scott added another eight points in the fourth quarter.
Iola’s Tyler McIntosh tossed a five-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Misenhelter with 1:19 left in the game.
“This was a good group to work with. They always kept after it and they are a good foundation to build on for the Mustang football program,” Schomaker said.
Rhoads had 33 yards on 11 carries for Iola. Stephen McDonald had 15 yards on two carries. Adam Kauth and Tyler Clubine each had one carry for two yards.
Mason Coons was 3 of 8 for 11 yards passing. McIntosh was 2 of 5 for 12. Zeph Larney and Rhoads each had one catch for seven yards. Corey Taylor had a four-yard catch.
Defensively, McDonald recorded seven unassisted tackles and seven assisted tackles. Zack Vaughn had four solo tackles and one assisted tackle. Taylor had two solos and three assisted tackles and Braden Larson had one solo and three assisted tackles.
Kauth had two solo stops, one assisted and an interception. Blake Appling had one solo tackle and two assists. Zeph Larney and Zach Crawford each had two assisted tackles.
Delayed but played
