Iola High football players were awarded a number of team and Pioneer League honors at their annual banquet last week.
Mustang senior Jake Skahan took home the Distinguished Mustang Award. Skahan caught a touchdown and hauled in 27 yards offensively this season while he came down with nine total tackles and two solo stops defensively.
“He was a great leader for the program and has been a quality person,” said Iola head coach David Daugharthy. The coach noted the award recognizes “not necessarily the best football player, but the person who represents the program the best.”
First-year football player Eli Adams won the Special Teams MVP award. Adams returned 140 yards on kickoff returns as the team’s speedy kickoff and punt returner.
“I think that’s pretty unheard of and it speaks to his natural athleticism,” Daugharthy said. “It’s pretty amazing what he was able to do. For him to return as well as he did and be able to kick as well as he did is great. Unfortunately, we didn’t have him for more years.”
Five secured All-Pioneer League honors this season including Danny Boeken and Skahan winning First Team offensive line and defensive line, respectively. Boeken also received Second Team honors for his work on the defensive line.
“These kids have done what they needed to do and have been good leaders in the offseason. They are great examples for other kids,” said Daugharthy. “The kids are all very coachable and they’ve been very receptive. They’re just great kids to be around. It speaks to how much talent and leadership we have.”
Korbin Cloud earned a Second Team defensive back honor while Ben Kerr and Drayden Reiter each claimed Second Team linebacker honors.
