Whether by runaway or nailbiter, Iola Middle School’s football teams ended their respective seasons on a high note Thursday. WHILE THE fans had to wait about 35 extra minutes for the games to start — the Parsons bus was stuck in traffic because of an accident south of Chanute on U.S. 169 — the Ponies made sure they didn’t have to wait much longer for the fireworks to commence. THE PONIES’ eighth-grade affair was considerably tighter.
The eighth-grade Ponies scored the only points of the second half on Cale Barnhart’s two-yard touchdown plunge, then put together several key defensive stops in a 20-12 victory.
Iola’s seventh-graders had no such worries, scoring twice in the game’s first 34 seconds of a 42-6 victory.
The seventh grade ends the season with a 5-2 record to tie Pittsburg and Chanute for first place in the Southeast Kansas League. Iola’s eighth grade ended with a 4-3 mark.
Iola led 14-0 after one quarter, 28-0 at halftime and 42-0 after three.
Iola’s Tayton Driskel barreled around the edge of the Viking defense on the first play from scrimmage, rambling 39 yards for a touchdown.
Iola then recovered an onside kick, and set up shop at the Pony 46.
In a carbon copy of the first play, Driskel blasted past the Viking defenders for a 54-yard touchdown run. The Ponies led 14-0 with 6:26 remaining of the seven-minute quarter.
The third touchdown took a little longer. Driskel faked a punt on fourth-and-17, and made it untouched on a 66-yard touchdown run to put the lead to 22-0 early in the second period. His fourth touchdown of the half came with 1:56 left in the half and covered 55 yards.
Matt Karr got into the act to start the second half on a four-yard scamper before Driskel wrapped up Iola’s scoring late in the period with his fifth score, covering 17 yards.
The contest wrapped up a record-breaking season for Driskel. He rushed for 1,422 yards and 20 touchdowns in Iola’s six games, averaging 12.2 yards per carry.
“It was a great way to finish a very good season,” Iola head coach Marty Taylor said. “The boys came out ready to play and never let Parsons into the game.
“Parsons just didn’t have an answer for Tayton,” Taylor continued. “He really came out and played hard. It was just a fantastic season, and he’s only going to get better.”
The Pony defense racked up several big plays as well. Elijah Luedke had an interception, while Taylor praised Kolt Knoblich and Tim Komma for several hard tackles.
“It was just a great all-around game,” Taylor said.
Kane Rogers added 21 rushing yards, while Luedke had 12, Karr eight and Nic Zimmerman six.
Barnhart’s four-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter opened the scoring before Parsons evened the score on a 62-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Dickens to Keshaun Anderson.
Evan Sigg found Ethan Holloway on a one-yard touchdown pass to push Iola back in front, 12-6, before Parsons’ T.J. Mayhue scored the equalizer on a 10-yard run early in the second period.
Iola’s Dalton Ryherd twice ended Parsons drives later in the half with interceptions, but Iola lost two fumbles as well to keep the score tied.
The teams traded punts until the Ponies’ Nick Vaughn recovered a fumble at the Viking 40. Barnhart capped the ensuing drive with a two-yard run. Sigg blasted through several defenders for the two-point conversion for the final tally. The conversion, Taylor said, may have been the game’s turning point. Iola ran the ball more effectively and physically after the score.
Although the Ponies never scored after that drive, they effectively controlled the clock for the balance of the contest.
The Pony defense also stiffened from there, keeping Parsons out of scoring range.
“This was just about as good of an eighth-grade football game as you’ll see,” Taylor said. “These kids really played hard tonight against a very good team.”
Barnhart wound up with 84 yards and two touchdowns. Iola rushed for 248 yards. Sigg rushed for 62 yards, Matt Komma for 51, Nik Peterson for 35 and Isaac Vink for 16.
Sigg also completed 4 of 8 passes for 32 yards. All of the passes went to Holloway.
“Cale had his best game by far tonight,” Taylor said. “He was tough and ran hard and made some huge plays for us. Dalton Ryherd really stepped up for us on defense.
“Evan was outstanding,” he continued. “When we needed a play, he stepped up. I’ve never been prouder of a group of kids. They put together two great seasons in a very tough league. With their hard work, I’m sure they will be successful as Mustangs.”
Ponies wrap up 2013 season in style
