ALTAMONT — Iola quarterback Ben Cooper was not satisfied with the way his 2015 season went from a team standpoint and the path to making 2016 a better one begins with offseason work. Tuesday’s joint practice with Labette County, Baxter Springs and Cherryvale was an important step on that path. Twenty-one Mustangs attended the practice.
“It means that we are tired of losing and tired of not going to the playoffs,” the senior quarterback said of the turnout. “We are ready to have a good year and make it to the playoffs.”
Mustang coach Doug Kerr was pleased with the turnout and the way his team performed in the second practice at Labette County. The team also had practiced in Altamont last Tuesday as well.
“The good thing is, for the kids that could not make it out, they will have some pressure on them, because these kids got 30 or 40 reps and got better,” Kerr said. “That is what we like.”
One of the biggest questions entering the 2016 season is who will step up as the primary ball-carrier for the team next season and although nobody became the clear front runner for that role, The Mustangs had a trio of backs that impressed on Tuesday and sophomore Tayton Driskell flashed his game-breaking ability.
“Tayton is going to do a good job for us, but he is also going to play defense so we can’t run him 40 times a game and other people will have to step up,” Kerr said. “The others are learning on the run.”
Cooper likes the attitude he is seeing from his tailbacks.
“I thought they did really well today,” Cooper said. “They all love football so that is nice, and they each work really hard.”
Another thing about the Iola ground attack that stood out to Kerr was the comfort level Cooper displayed as a runner and decision maker in the option game.
“Sometimes people misquote it by saying it is about confidence,” Kerr said. “I don’t think it is confidence as much as it is just overcoming fear of mistakes and playing free.
“Running the ball last year, Ben was about our fourth option, but early this year he is showing he might be needing to get some more reps.”
Cooper agrees with his coach that comfortability in the offense will be a key to his potential success.
“I feel like I know a lot more about our offense and reading the defenses,” Cooper said. “I want to be able to read the defense more this year rather than just find somebody to throw to.”
Kerr says that his senior signal caller will be the key to everything the Mustangs do on offense.
“Ben is the clog that turns the wheel for us and gets everyone in the right positions,” Kerr said.
As far as the other skill players go, Joey Zimmerman was all over the field both offensively and defensively for Iola.
