Iola and Humboldts middle school football seasons came to a conclusion Monday evening. The Mustangs and Cubs were making up games canceled on Sept. 12 due to poor field conditions.
Here is how the 2019 season ended for both squads:
Iola
The seventh-grade Ponies capped off the season with a 16-12 win at Burlington to stay undefeated at 6-0 in league play, and 7-1 overall. Cole Mathes paced the Ponies ground game, racking up 213 yards rushing along and accounted for every Pony Point. Quarterback Kyser Nemecek showcased his dual-threat ability, passing for 35 yards, and using his legs for another 35 yards. Defensively, Mathes finished as the Ponies leading tackler with seven.
It has been a great year with this group of football players. The boys kept on improving as the season went, ending on a big win against Burlington, head coach Scott Ellis said. It has been a great year with this group of football players. The boys kept on improving as the season went, ending on a big win against Burlington.
Burlington was too tough of a task for the eighth-grade Ponies. Despite being tied 14-14, and threatening in Burlington territory heading into the fourth quarter, injuries and poor execution translated into momentum for the Wildcats. The loss completes a 4-3 season for the Ponies, but this group could have easily finished undefeated.
I am proud of these boys and their competitiveness. The three games we lost this year really could have gone either way. We were definitely in them, but could not finish, Ellis said. It is good to finish out with a winning record, and I have enjoyed working with this group of kids. They are a tight group that play very well together and will only improve.
Gage Skahan led the Pony offense with 120 yards rushing. Also chipping in on the running attack was Dayden Reiter, Briggs Michael, Korbin Cloud, and Mac Leonard combining for 83 yards rushing. Quarterback Landon Weide demonstrated his ability to throw from the pocket, passing for 75 yards. On the receiving end were Brian Macias, Isaac McCullough and Cloud. Reiter was Iolas leading defensive stopper with 9 tackles, followed by Michael with 8.
Humboldt
The Cubs started their season finale in an early hole, falling behind Neodesha 16-0 in the first quarter. Blake Ellis put Humboldt back into the game with a 43-yard interception for a touchdown, and quarterback Sam Hull converted the 2-point conversion, making the score 16-8. Neodesha extended its first-half lead with 50 seconds remaining, but the 2-point conversion failed. Heading into halftime, Humboldt trailed 22-8.
The ground game picked up in the second half, as Hull powered into the end zone from 3 yards out to reduce the deficit to 22-14. The Cubs had an opportunity to level things late in the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over on downs. Offensive leaders were Hull with 13 carries for 94 yards rushing and a touchdown and Ellis with 34 yards rushing, and Skyler Harris with 49 yards rushing. The Cub defense was led by Logan Page and Garren Goodner, both earning 9 tackles apiece. Overall, Humboldt finished the season with a 4-3 record.
