Iola High’s Mustangs are in a position Independence High’s Bulldogs know so well.
The Mustangs have lost 11 straight football games and are coming off an 0-9 2010 season. The Bulldog football program broke a 36-game losing streak in 2007.
So Bulldog head coach Carl Boldra and his players know how hungry for a win Iola’s Mustangs are going into Friday’s 2011 season opener.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Iola’s football stadium in Riverside Park.
“This is the last time Independence and Iola meet as SEK teams. Coach (Rick) Horton does a great job with his kids and we expect them to come out and play hard and fight right to the end,” Boldra said.
The Bulldogs went 9-2 last year and reached the second round of Class 4A playoffs for the second straight season. In 2007, they broke the streak by going 2-8 then 5-5 and 8-3 in 2009.
“Independence will look different in terms of personnel this year but they will be doing the same things under Coach Boldra,” said Mustang head coach Rick Horton. “Those kids will be ready to play when they step on the field and we have to match that intensity.
“Plus with addition of senior wide receiver Demonta Clark, who moved back to Independence this year, they have a speed guy. We’ve told our kids to be ready for surprise plays. They’ll want to get the ball in Clark’s hands a lot.”
Neither coach expected the high-scoring affair of last year — Independence won 61-51 — but do expect a competitive game for the Southeast Kansas League opponents.
Heat will be a factor Friday night as temperatures are predicted to soar into the high 90s or low 100s during the day. Horton said the heat has been a factor throughout preseason practices with practices being moved to later start times on some days.
“We practiced in it today (Wednesday) simply because we want our guys to realize it might be this hot on a Friday night. We’ve been sure to give them plenty of water breaks,” Horton said.
“We’ve got a little more depth in positions this year and we should be able to rotate people in throughout the game to keep fresh players in there.”
Independence comes in with a new quarterback — senior Dalton Shaffer has the inside track in that spot — and a new backfield duo — sophomore Courtlan Hayes at tailback and junior Aaron Schwenker fullback. The Bulldogs lost SEK rushing and scoring leader Matt Bromley.
“Our numbers are down a bit from what we thought we’d have out but we return four starters on offense and five on defense,” Boldra said. “We have kids stepping up to the challenge.
“We have a senior class which has the attitude of ‘we will do whatever and play whatever position the team needs,’ That’s a great foundation to build on.”
“We want to establish drives this year. Offensively, last year it was a lot of three-and-outs and turnovers,” Horton said. “Our offensive linemen are firing off the ball and that’s a good place to start.”
Iola has a new quarterback — junior Mason Coons. It has a new backfield duo also in senior tailback Jerrik Sigg and junior fullback Stephen McDonald.
Sigg has moved to the backfield after starting as a receiver last year. Sigg was Iola’s second leading rusher a year ago.
“We want to run the football more this year. Jerrik gives us a lot of option in the backfield. We’ll still have the option of splitting him out and throwing the ball to him,” Horton said.
Sigg was Iola’s leading receiver a year ago. McDonald is a strong addition to the backfield for his blocking. Horton said McDonald is running with the football much better this season.
Up front, the Mustangs have a mix of veterans and youngsters. Out to control the line of scrimmage are seniors Brad Bazo and Blake Appling at guards and Zach Crawford at center. Junior Eli Grover and freshman Trey Colborn are the starting tackles. Also helping with block duties is senior tight end Corey Taylor.
“Our linemen have been firing off the ball well. We scored on big plays last year and we want to keep those big plays in our offense but establishing the drives, controlling the ball and dictating the game is what we’re after this season. We have to finish those drives with scoring,” Horton said.
Always it is the line of scrimmage where games are won and lost. Both Horton and Boldra know that as coaches.
“We have a solid offensive line and we return our three down lineman on defense,” Boldra said.
“Our kids are ready to pound on someone else as I’m sure Iola’s players are too. It’s going to be a good high school game.”
Iola changed defenses this season going to a four-man front.
“Coach (Mark) Percy had coached a four-man front defense for years. The past couple of years here we’ve been heavy on linebacker and used a 3-5 defense. We’re excited about the way our defense fits our personnel this year. We have more size up front,” Horton said.
Bazo, Grover, Colborn and Devin Culler are the front men defensively. The linebacker corps is lead by McDonald, who was the third-leading tackler for the Mustangs last year. Taylor is also back at linebacker.
Sigg, senior Clint Heffern are the top returning defensive backs. Devon Conner, a senior, like Culler, return to the football field this season.
Iola’s kicking game gets a boost from sophomore placekicker Isaias Macias. Macias and Sigg will handle the kickoff duties. Conner is the punter.
Probable Starters
Iola High Mustangs
Offense
QB —Mason Coons, 6-1, 176, Jr.
TB — Jerrik Sigg, 6-1, 172, Sr.
FB — Stephen McDonald, 6-3, 201, Jr.
WR — Clint Heffern, 5-10, 165, Sr.
TE — Corey Taylor, 6-3, 151, Sr.
LT — Eli Grover, 6-0, 225, Jr.
LG — Brad Bazo, 5-11, 241, Sr.
C — Zach Crawford, 5-9, 171, Sr.
RG — Blake Appling, 5-11, 192, Sr.
RT — Trey Colborn, 5-9, 240, Fr.
WR — Jacob Rhoads, 5-8, 160, So.
PK — Isaias Macias, 5-7, 152, So
Defense
E — Trey Colborn, 5-9, 240, Fr.
L — Brad Bazo, 5-11, 241, Sr.
L — Eli Grover, 6-0, 225, Jr.
E — Devin Culler, 6-1, 182, Sr.
LB — Corey Tayler, 6-3, 151, Sr.
LB — Stephen McDonald, 6-3, 201, Jr.
LB — Kaden Macha, 6-0, 168, Fr.
LB — Jacob Rhoads, 5-8, 160, So.
CB — Clint Heffern, 5-10, 165, Sr.
CB — Devon Conner, 6-0, 153, Sr.
FS — Jerrik Sigg, 6-1, 172, Sr.
P — Devon Conner.
Independence High Bulldogs
Offense
QB — Dalton Shaffer, 6-0, 170, Sr.
TB — Courtlan Hayes, 5-11, 160, So.
FB — Aaron Schwenker, 5-9, 165, Jr.
WR — Easton Julian, 6-2, 175, Sr.
TE — Dallas King, 6-2, 175, Sr.
LT — Dalton Thorpe, 6-2, 300, Sr.
LG — Clay Sears, 5-10, 230, So.
C — Levi Leiker, 6-0, 190, Sr.
RG — Shane Moore, 5-10, 190, Sr.
RT — Zach Snodgrass, 6-2, 265, Sr.
WR — T.J. Reed, 6-2, 165, Sr.
PK — Courtlan Hayes
Defense
DE — Dalton Thorpe, 6-2, 300, Sr.
NT — Demonta Clark, 6-1, 215, Sr.
DE — Zach Snodgrass, 6-2, 265, Sr.
LB — Aaron Schwenker, 5-9, 165, Jr.
LB — Shane Moore, 5-10, 190, Sr.
LB — Junior Geldenhuys, 6-1, 170, Jr.
LB — Dallas King, 6-2, 175, Sr.
LB — Nick Long, 5-11, 165, Sr.
CB — Easton Julian, 6-2, 175, Sr.
CB — T.J. Reed, 6-2, 165, Sr.
S — Dalton Coda, 6-0, 175, Jr.
P — Courtlan Hayes, 5-11, 160, So.
