It took awhile to get things going offensively but the Iola High junior varsity Mustangs opened the 2012 season with a win.
The Mustangs and the visiting Anderson County High Bulldogs were scoreless after one half of play Thursday at Riverside Park. Iola got the offense untracked in the second half and won 13-0.
Shane Walden grabbed a pass from Brice Aiello and scored a touchdown in the third quarter. The play covered 65 yards. Mason Key kicked the extra point.
In the fourth period, Aiello dashed six yards into the end zone to put Iola up 13-0. The extra-point kick was blocked.
“The kids played really hard and gave tons of effort, which is what we asked of them,” said Dana Daugharthy, IHS assistant coach.
“We had a couple of injuries and were forced to put people in positions they had never played before.”
Daugharthy said the Mustangs worked through some struggles and gave strong effort to correct things. The win was a great start to the season.
Aiello rushed for 92 years on 10 carries and completed 2 of 3 passes for 71 yards. Keenan Badders had 78 years on 13 carries.
Walden rushed for 25 yards on five carries and had the touchdown reception. Jake Gumfory caught one pass for six yards.
Brett Taylor had six yards rushing on four carries and Terrell Smith had three yards on one carry.
Defensively, Aiello and Walden each had seven tackles while Dillan Stoldt, Jordan Long and Gus Hopkins had five tackles each.
Aiello made an interception. Long had two quarterback sacks and Stoldt sacked the quarterback once.
The Iola junior varsity (1-0) plays at Cherryvale on Monday. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
