Could Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade football team follow in the Pony seventh-grade team’s lead? Could the Pony teams sweep the football doubleheader with visiting Independence?
Yes, and yes.
The Iola seventh-grade team won a defensive battle, 6-0. The touchdown — a six-yard pass from Brett Taylor to Brandon Donnell — came in the fourth quarter. A 37-yard punt return by Trevor Cox put the Ponies in position to score.
Then the Iola eighth grade trailed 6-0 at halftime. The second half belonged to the Ponies.
They scored on a two-yard run by Kaden Macha to tie the game. Drew Faulhaber’s two-point conversion run put Iola on top to stay in the third quarter.
Macha got loose for an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The Ponies won 14-6.
According to Marty Taylor, Iola Middle School head coach, both Pony teams played hard. It was the season openers for both teams.
Iola’s seventh-grade defense held Independence to a minus-8 yards of offense on the night. Bryce Aiello led the Pony defense with four unassisted tackles, two assisted tackles and a quarterback sack. Aiello also blocked a punt.
Donnell had five solo tackles and one assisted while Taylor had two solos and two assisted tackles. Cox had an interception.
Jake Kress, Cox, Ethan Sigg, Keanan Badders and Daniel Ware each had a solo tackle. Gage Tomlinson had an assisted tackle.
Taylor was 2 of 5 passing for 21 yards. Gus Hopkins had one catch for 15 yards. Donnell had 15 yards rushing and the six-yard touchdown catch.
Badders rushed for 19 yards and Cox had 18 yards.
“These kids played hard all night. We have a long way to go but it was a nice win to start the season,” Coach Taylor said.
Taylor said Aiello, Sigg and Donnell had good defensive games. Badders played well from his fullback spot.
For the Iola eighth-grade Ponies, Faulhaber ran for 97 yards on 12 carries and Macha had 76 yards on 16 carries. Iola did not complete a pass in the game.
“Independence is a very good team and our kids had to really work hard tonight,” Coach Taylor said. “Trey Colborn dominated the game from his defensive end position. He was the difference.”
Taylor said Shane Walden and Colborn were moved from the backfield to the line this season and they did a great job.
“Everybody to a man played well,” the coach said.
Colborn had seven solo tackles. Macha had three solos and six assisted tackles plus forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles. Alex Bauer had two unassisted tackles and two assisted.
Isaiah Grover had two solo tackles. Walden, Faulhaber, Wyatt Hines and Blake Reynolds each had assisted tackles.
The Iola teams host Labette County Thursday. The seventh-grade game starts at 5 p.m.
Pony teams win on gridiron
