Iola High’s Mustangs and Coffeyville-Field Kindley High’s Golden Tornado are searching for the same thing — a win. Both football teams are 0-2 overall and in Southeast Kansas League play in 2011.
That will change Friday night at Iola’s Riverside Park. Kickoff for the SEK clash is 7 p.m.
“We want to keep the momentum of our running game we had in the second half of the Parsons game,” said Rick Horton, Iola head coach. “We’ll probably use more of the ‘wildcat’ formation with the direct snap to Jerrik (Sigg).
“We have to get a feel for what Coffeyville does on defense and adjust to things in the game.”
Coffeyville head coach Murray Zogg looks for his ’Nado to establish a run game early against the Mustangs. Zogg said the Golden Tornado has its leading rusher back from a year ago and its quarterback.
“Establishing a good running game early is what we’re looking to do. Plus we have to limit the turnovers. We’ve struggled with ball security in our first two games,” Zogg said.
Coffeyville features junior tailback Wesley Collins out of the backfield. Collins (5-9, 170) rushed for over 1,100 yards last year. Also back for Coffeyville is 5-11, 175-pound junior quarterback Cory Turner.
“We’re similar to what we ran last year offensively with a typical pro style look. Wes came on late last year running the ball and we’re working to get back on track for 100 yards a game. He had 99 yards against Pittsburg,” Zogg said.
“Cory is a dual threat back there at quarterback to run and pass but again he has had a better defensive start to the season than offensive. He has 30 tackles so far in our two games.”
Coffeyville has just four seniors on its squad this year. It switched to a different defensive look “because we have a new defensive coordinator plus a lot of linebacker types this year.”
Iola again has had to make lineup changes because of injuries. Junior Aaron Barclay replaces senior Brad Bazo on the offensive line at left guard. Kris Collins, a senior, stays at right tackle. Bazo and freshman Trey Colborn are out with concussions.
Sophomore Jesse Zimmerman takes sophomore Jacob Rhoads’ spot as wide receiver. Rhoads suffered a shoulder injury last week.
On defense, senior Zack Vaughn is on the line in Bazo’s place and junior Eric Heffern takes Rhoads’ linebacker spot.
“Trey could be cleared to participate Thursday. We’re not sure yet,” Horton said.
“We’ve told our guys we have to be a team of composure and discipline Friday nights. We didn’t have a good practice Tuesday but the seniors and juniors took control of practice Wednesday before the coaches got out there. It was a more up-tempo day.
“We’re working fundamentals and on getting better.”
Probable Starters
Iola High Mustangs
Offense
QB — Mason Coons, 6-1, 176, Jr.
TB — Jerrik Sigg, 6-1, 172, Sr.
FB — Devin Culler, 6-1, 182, Sr.
WR — Clint Heffern, 5-10, 165, Sr.
TE — Corey Taylor, 6-3, 151, Sr.
LT — Eli Grover, 6-0, 225, Jr.
LG — Aaron Barclay, 6-1, 260, Jr.
C — Zach Crawford, 5-9, 171, Sr.
RG — Blake Appling, 5-11, 192, Sr.
RT — Kris Collins, 6-4, 324, Sr.
WR — Jesse Zimmerman, 5-9, 155, So.
PK — Isaias Macias, 5-7, 152, So
Defense
DE — Zach Crawford, 5-9, 171, Sr.
DL — Zack Vaughn, 5-9, 176, Sr.
DL — Eli Grover, 6-0, 225, Jr.
DE — Devin Culler, 6-1, 182, Sr.
LB — Corey Tayler, 6-3, 151, Sr.
LB — Derrick Weir, 5-8, 161, So.
LB — Kaden Macha, 6-0, 168, Fr.
LB — Eric Heffern, 5-11, 159, Jr.
CB — Clint Heffern, 5-10, 165, Sr.
CB — Devon Conner, 6-0, 153, Sr.
FS — Jerrik Sigg, 6-1, 172, Sr.
P — Devon Conner.
Coffeyville Golden Tornado
Offense
QB — Cory Turner, 5-11, 175, Jr.
FB — James Jones, 5-9, 180, Jr.
TB — Wesley Collins, 5-9, 170, Jr.
WR — James Newton, 5-10, 145, So.
TE — Elijah Jones, 5-11, 163, So.
RT — Nash Nelson, 6-5, 260, Sr.
RG — Chris Gibbs, 6-1, 281, Jr.
C — Austin Ryder, 6-0, 285, Jr.
LG — Nathan Linnebur, 5-11, 210, Sr.
LT — Hunter Wright, 6-1, 267, So.
WR — Allen Williams, 5-10, 162, Sr.
PK — Shay Schnoor, 5-11, 165, Sr.
Defense
DE — Elijah Jones, 5-11, 163, So.
T — Chris Gibbs, 6-1, 281, Jr.
NG — Curtis Bolden, 5-9, 185, Sr.
T — Nash Nelson, 6-5 260, Sr.
DE — James Jones, 5-9, 180, Jr.
LB — Wesley Collins, 5-9, 170, Jr.
LB — Nick Wintjen, 5-9, 170, Fr.
SS — Cory Turner, 5-11, 175, Jr.
CB — Blayne Kimmel, 5-9, 160, Jr.
CB — Jeremy Marshall, 5-9, 155, Jr.
FS — Allen Willaims, 5-10, 162, Sr.
P — Nash Nelson
