Iola Middle School’s seventh-graders, even down a couple of players, showed plenty of grit Thursday in a 26-16 win over Prairie View.
“We played hard,” head coach Scott Ellis said. “Prairie View gave us a good game. We see some things we need to work on, but we’re excited to get the win.”
Iola was down two players, but Ellis credited reserves Beau Erickson and Ean DaLaTorre for their work.
“They did a good job filling those spots.” Erickson had two tackles on defense; DeLaTorre three.
A pair of familiar faces led the offense. Kale Pratt led with 138 yards rushing, 60 yards receiving and scored three touchdowns, with a two-point conversion. Austin Crooks threw for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Landon Shelton added 25 receiving yards.
Pratt also paced the defense with 10 tackles and two forced fumbles. Keagan Hill and Crooks were next with six stops each. Tripp Mathes made five tackles, Evan Lacrone four, DeLaTorre and James Hunt three and Broderick Peters and Landon Shelton with two stops apiece. Gabriel Robertson also had a tackle.
THE GOING was tougher for the eighth-graders, who lost an early touchdown to penalty, and then fell behind after Prairie View possessed the ball for nearly a full quarter on a 97-yard touchdown drive.
“It was a tough game for us competing against a well-executive offense,” Ellis said of the Mustangs’ 34-6 defeat. “We had trouble stopping the run and matching up physically. The boys played hard. We know there is still plenty improve on but I appreciate how everyone stayed positive and didn’t give up.”
Tre Wilson rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown, followed by Schowengerdt with 64 rushing yards. Nick Bauer passed for 37 yards; Henry White had a 25-yard reception.
Defensively, Wilson racked up 17 tackles, Schowengerdt had eight, Mathew Drago six and Gannon Hutton chipped in with five. Jakolby Hill and Bauer both registered four tackles, Hayden Kelley, Braden Stevens and Jayden Beene two each and Maddox Riley with one.
Iola travels to Burlington Thursday.
