Oftentimes, the memories gained from playing football have nothing to do with the scoreboard.
That was the message Friday delivered to the Iola High Mustangs, from three players who suited up for IHS in generations past.
Art Lohmeyer, John Masterson and Delbert Nelson regaled this year’s squad with tales of hard tackles, tough losses and other bits of advice.
They were at the school at the urging of Earl “Mackie” McIntosh, IHS Class of 1984, who has worked in recent years to establish the Iola Football Alumni organization.
The program was part of Homecoming festivities at IHS, with McIntosh using the event as an opportunity to recognize Iola football from the 1950s. Lohmeyer and Masterson, who graduated from IHS in 1962 but played for the Mustangs in 1958 and 1959, and Nelson, IHS Class of 1957, talked about bonds they forged on the playing field.
Lohmeyer said the camaraderie he and his teammates built was as important as any tackling drill.
Likewise, Masteron and Nelson noted the Mustang squads of that era were lean on wins, but still memorable because of how the players and coaches interacted.
“Don’t worry about the scoreboard,” Masterson implored the players. “Worry about how you’re performing with every snap.”
Nelson noted he lost two teammates due to alcohol-related auto accidents.
“Stay away from that stuff,” Nelson said. “Nothing good comes from alcohol.”
Tuesday’s assembly also featured the introduction of the Mustang Leadership Award trophy, built by IHS woodshop students this year, and featuring a Mustang logo forged by Iola High metalworks students.
“It was built by Mustangs for Mustangs,” McIntosh said.
The trophy will be affixed with nameplates of players who exhibited leadership on and off the field, Masterson said.
Coaches will nominate two or three candidates at the conclusion of each season, then the players themselves will vote on who should be recognized that season.
The trophy also recognizes former Mustang greats Leo Burger, Class of 1926, and Wendell Frazell, Class of 1943, both of whom played and later coached at Iola High.
Iola’s 2020 season — disrupted midway through because of the COVID-19 pandemic — is nearing its end.
