Friday night lights turn on Friday night at Iola’s Riverside Park’s football stadium
Iola High’s Mustangs will come out with new looks offensively and defensively under a new head coach. Doug Kerr guides the Mustangs into the 2012 season opener against a new opponent — the Cherryvale High Chargers.
The Mustangs and Chargers have several things in common. Both are hungry for a season-opener win. Each team is coming off a 2-7 season.
Both teams have players coming back from season-ending injuries last year. Both have young players who had to step into varsity spots a year ago.
“We’re ready to hit somebody else besides our teammates,” Kerr said. “And I’m sure Cherryvale is, too.
“Our kids and coaches are excited about Friday night’s game. It’s always great to get the season started. This will be a good test to see where we are and how we’ve progressed since this summer.”
Cherryvale’s head coach is Harry Hester, in his fifth season as head coach of the Chargers. Last year the Chargers were besieged with injuries, pushing sophomores and freshmen into varsity playing roles.
“We had never played a freshman in varsity before and last year we lettered five freshmen,” Hester said. “We play in the Tri-Valley League and it’s always tough. We like the challenge of coming to Iola and taking on the Mustangs.”
Cherryvale runs a spread offense with junior quarterback Zach Trim at the helm. Drew Housel is the senior running back, who was injured last year after four games. Trim passed for 310 yards last year and Housel rushed for 234 yards before his injury.
“We’re very athletic as a team. We don’t have a lot of size but we do have kids who play hard,” Hester said. “We know Iola is coming out of the SEK and has a new coach. They have a new offense and defense so we’ll make adjustments as the game goes along.”
The Chargers present a 4-4 defense.
“We have kids who really are relentless,” Hester said. “They pursue the ball and hit people.”
For Iola, it’s about change. Kerr said he has been pleased the way the Mustang players have picked up the new single-wing offense.
“Last week’s scrimmage was good in that we had some film to show the kids so we can see the mistakes we’re making and correct those. Our practices have been good this week,” Kerr said.
“Our linemen are at the point they are reacting instead of thinking about what they need to do in the offense. Our backs are polishing the offense and our timing is better.”
