WELLSVILLE – Offenses ruled for two quarters here Friday as Iola High and Wellsville High put on a scoring clinic.
By the time the halftime gun sounded, Wellsville led 30-28, and it was apparent the game would be decided on who could adjust on defense.
Iola did just that, holding Wellsville scoreless for much of the second half, then holding on with a key defensive stand in the game’s final minute.
The Mustangs’ 41-36 victory over Wellsville clinches a Pioneer League championship for Iola in the team’s inaugural season in the league.
Now, Iola 5-1 overall and 4-0 In Pioneer league, sets its sights on district play over the final three weeks of the regular season – the three games that will determine which two teams from Class 4A, District 6 will qualify for the playoffs. The Mustangs host Chanute next Friday.
But for now, the Mustang faithful can revel in a wildly entertaining victory over a young Wellsville squad that unveiled a number of new wrinkles with its running game for its visitors from the south.
The Eagles ran several variations of a counter-gap play that featured linemen pulling to one side of the field or the other and speedy tailback Shane Hillman darting in the opposite direction.
“It caught us off guard a bit because it’s something we hadn’t seen on film,” Iola head coach Doug Kerr said. “It took us a while to figure out because it’s such a good play.
A few changes in how the Mustangs attacked the play plugged those gaps and shut down the Wellsville offense. After running for 175 yards in the first half, Hillman could only muster 31 yards after the break.
“Early in the season, I thought our defense really carried us until we hit our stride offensively,” Iola head coach Doug Kerr said. “Tonight, Offensively, we did what we needed to keep ourselves in the game. The adjustments really helped (after halftime).”
The victory wasn’t secure until a tenuous final series of plays.
Iola was set to nearly run out the clock, but a first down pass from Mason Coons to Jacob Rhoads was negated because of a chop block penalty. Wellsville took over at its own 15 with two minutes left.
Then, Rhoads narrowly missed an interception on a third-and-15 pass attempt by Wellsville. The missed pick was followed one play later by a 28-yard completion to set the Eagles up at midfield with under a minute left.
But three incompletions, and a key quarterback sack by Tyler McIntosh and Bryce Misenhelter ended the threat.
“Our adjustments took them out of their comfort level, and they started pressing because we were still scoring,” Kerr said.
Kaden Macha started the scoring for Iola with a seven-yard run midway through the first quarter.
Wellsville scored twice in succession later in the period to lead 14-7 before Rhoads plunged in from one yard out to knot the score.
Hillman’s five-yard touchdown run was countered by a four-yard run to paydirt by Iola’s Mason Coons.
The Coons score triggered an exasperating series of failed kickoff attempts, in which Iola was whistled for penalties on four straight kicks.
A squib kick to midfield led to a one-play scoring drive – a 47-yard run by Hillman to push the Eagles up 30-22.
Coons capped the ensuing Mustang drive with a three-yard touchdown run with 11 seconds left in the second period to close the gap to 30-28.
John Whitworth took control after the break, including a dazzling 56-yard touchdown rush in which he broke several Eagle tackle attempts..
Another long run set Iola up in prime scoring position but a Rhoads fumble was recovered by Wellsville at its own 4.
But the Mustang defense held, and Wellsville’s punt set Iola up at the Eagle 36.
Macha capped the ensuing six-play drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
“We have some things to work on,” Kerr said. “The kickoffs are something we really need to fix.”
Whitworth covered 141 yards on 11 carries, followed by Macha’s 63 yards on 10 rushes and Coons with 45 yards on 12 carries. Stephen McDonald rushed twice for 21 yards. Rhoads tallied six receptions for 101 yards and rushed nine times for 29 yards. Coons completed 12 of 19 passes for 170 yards. Jacob Harrison covered 42 yards on three receptions.
On defense, McDonald led the way with seven stops. Rhoads, Tyler McIntosh and Adam Kauth had six tackles apiece.
Iola 7-19-6-7—41
Wellsville 14-16-0-6–36
Iola – Macha 7 yd run (Macias kick)
Wellsville – Meyer 7 yd run (2 pt attempt failed)
Wellsville – Hopkins 4 yd run (Dougan pass from Hopkins)
Iola – Rhoads 1 yd run (Macias kick)
Wellsville – Hillman 5 yd run (Hillman run)
Iola – Coons 4 yd run (Coons run)
Wellsville – Hillman 47 yd run (Jackson pass from Meyer)
Iola – Coons 3 yd run (run failed)
Iola – Whitworth 56 yd run (kick failed)
Iola – Macha 5 yd run (Macias kick)
Wellsville – Mann 17 yd pass from Meyer (2 pt attempt failed)
