After Iola High School’s varsity football team beat Central Heights handily on Friday night, the junior varsity Mustangs galloped away with a commanding 44-16 victory Monday afternoon.
Iola started with the ball, but lacked the necessary offense on their first drive. They were held to a three-and-out. The Vikings took over on their 47-yard line. From there, the Mustang defense took hold, keeping Central Heights to a 4th and 7 only to have Viking quarterback Cameron Hampton connect with Preston Allen for a 51-yard score.
Central Heights took an 8-0 lead after a successful two-point conversion.
The Mustangs responded quickly. Nick Vaughn scooped up the kick return for a 39-yard run. Five more yards were added after a face mask penalty was called on the Vikings. Iola started on Central Heights’ 31.
After a 4-yard run by Cale Barnhart and an 11-yard run by Joey Zimmerman, Zimmerman took a double reverse rush 17-yards into the end zone. Iola trailed 6-8 after failing the two-point conversion.
Both defenses held each other on fourth downs. Central Heights got the ball back on their own 10. On third and 11, Viking quarterback Philip Mayhew found Devon Weber on a screen pass and he ran the ball 91 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately there was a false start on the play, bringing the ball all the way back to Central Heights’ 4.
Iola forced a punt and started on Central Heights’ 31. Zimmerman scored his second touchdown on a 27-yard run a couple minutes later. Caleb Alexander scored the two-point conversion. Iola had a 14-8 lead going into the half.
“We really had some people step up the second half,” coach Dana Daugharthy said. “We made a lot of substitutions and they really responded and wanted to show us something.”
The Mustangs took over in the second half. Iola’s defense held the Vikings to a punt attempt on their first drive. After a botched snap on the attempt, Iola took over on Central Heights’ 5. Vaughn ran for a 5-yard score. The Mustangs now led 20-8 after a failed two-point conversion.
The Mustangs defense forced another Central Heights punt. Barnhart returned the ball 14-yards to Central Heights’ 34. Zimmerman quickly took advantage of the good field position with a 34-yard score — his third touchdown of the day. Alexander ran the ball in for the two-point conversion and Iola led 28-8.
On the Vikings’ next possession, Weber ran in a 48-yard score and Mayhew ran in the two-point conversion. Iola, whose lead was now 28-16, never looked back.
After a few stalled drives by both offenses, Central Heights had the ball on their own 40 in the fourth quarter. Alexander took control rushing Mayhew for a sack, but also a forced fumble. Andrew Garber recovered and ran the ball in for a 32-yard touchdown. Alexander ran in the two-point conversion and Iola’s lead was now 36-16.
After Iola’s defense forced another punt, Vink had the run of the game. After Barnhart fumbled and recovered the snap, Iola was on its own 19. Vink then got the handoff, taking the ball to the outside and ran free for a 81-yard touchdown. Alexander hit another two-point conversion and Iola had a 44-16 lead, the final score of the game.
“I was trying to give Caleb Alexander some more touchdowns since it was his last game,” Daugharthy said. “But, (Zimmerman) kept running in long touchdowns.”
Alexander is moving to Oregon. Daugharthy said he always runs the ball tough and he’s fun to watch. During the third quarter, Iola was held to a third and 18. Alexander took the ball for a 19-yard run and the first down.
“He’s such a good kid and him picking up that yardage is good,” Daugharthy said.
Iola had all 324 of their yards on the ground. Vink led the way with 124 rushing yards and had a touchdown. Zimmerman had 109 total yards from the ground and three touchdowns. Alexander had 53 rushing yards and a fumble recovery. Vaughn had 11 rush yards and a touchdown. Barnhart had 17 rushing yards and Evan Sigg had 11 yards on the ground.
Iola (2-3) hosts Wellsville next Monday for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff.
Iola stomps Vikings 44-16 with ground attack
