Questions will be answered Friday night under the lights of Independence’s Emmott Field.
Iola High’s Mustangs and host Independence High’s Bulldogs put their 2010 editions on the football field Friday. It’s the season opening ball game in the Southeast Kansas League.
Kickoff is at 7 o’clock in Independence.
Neither team does too much surprising to the other since they play much the same schemes, offensively and defensively. The Bulldogs, who have been picked to win the SEK or finish second to Chanute in preseason polls, do have more starting personnel returning compared to the Mustangs.
“We know we match up pretty well with almost everyone in terms of our skill people. We have a four-year starting tailback and a quarterback who will be a four-year letterman,” said Rick Horton, Mustang head coach.
“Right now, we have to find out if we have the guys up front to get our backs a crease to got through to run the ball. We have to be able to protect our quarterback so our passing game is effective.”
Independence is coming off an 8-3 season in which they won a district championship and went to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. High expectations follow the Bulldogs into 2010.
“Everybody keeps telling me that,” said Carl Boldra, Bulldog head coach, talking to “having a good season.”
“We do have key people back including a 2,000-yard rusher in Matt Bromley and our quarterback Peyton Botts threw for over 1,000 yards last year. But we have some questions to answer also. We have to find the right fit for our offensive line and our defensive backfield.”
The game will feature two of the top running backs in the Southeast Kansas League. Bromley, a 5-9, 190-pound senior, led the SEK with 2,013 yards rushing and scored a league-record 29 touchdowns.
Iola senior Marcus Sullivan (5-7, 176) has led the Mustangs in rushing the past couple of seasons and is a four-year starter. Sullivan finished tied for 10th in scoring in the SEK last year. He rushed for over 400 yards a year ago.
The Mustangs have senior Charles Apt back at quarterback. Botts is also in his second season as starting quarterback for the Bulldogs.
“When you play Independence, defensively it’s about stopping Bromley and containing Botts,” said Horton. “Last year in the first half of the game, we did that and we were leading at halftime.
“They came out and turned things around on us. Bromley, who is a great running back, and Botts broke containment on us for some big plays.”
Iola was up 10-0 and Independence won 28-10 in the 2009 game.
Boldra said playing defense is key for him as a coach. His team puts a lot of stock in turning games around with defensive play.
“We play the same defense as Iola. First we have to stop a heck of a tailback in Sullivan then take it one play at a time,” Boldra said.
“Both teams will face adversity at some time in the game and which team overcomes it the best will win the game.”
Independence had four returning offensive linemen. The Bulldogs have seven returning starters on defense.
“One guy I’m glad is not back for Iola — the kicker (Connor Frazell). It’s great to be able not to see him coming out on the field to kick 50-yard field goals against us,” Boldra said. “He was quite a weapon for them in the kicking game.”
Iola is trying to fill the void of Class 4A All-State placekicker Connor Frazell. Horton said Kyle Heffern, who is an offensive lineman and linebacker, was Frazell’s backup punter.
Kyle Heffern will punt for the Mustangs. Another senior, Dylan Allen, is set to kickoff and do the placekicking. Heffern can also kick extra points and field goals, Horton said.
In last year’s contest, Sullivan was injured in the first half. Iola was without starting wide receiver Jerrik Sigg, who had suffered a season-ending broken leg the week before.
Sullivan and Sigg, a junior, are set to go in Friday’s game. Joining Sullivan in the backfield is sophomore Stephen McDonald as fullback. Junior Corey Taylor is taking over at tight end while junior Clint Heffern is the other wide receiver.
Kyle Heffern leads the offensive line unit. Senior Sam Shallah will play center with senior Drew Shepherd and junior Blake Appling as guards. K. Heffern and junior Brad Bazo are the tackles.
The Mustangs are filling the void of all-league linebacker Kyler Thompson, who had led the team in tackles for three years.
Apt has moved to an outside linebacker spot as Ky. Heffern and Shepherd return on the inside. McDonald is the other inside linebacker and sophomore Mason Coons has taken an outside linebacker spot.
Sullivan and Sigg return as defensive backs. Sigg moves to the free safety position and C. Heffern is the other cornerback.
“We’ve seen improvement the past week in our line play. We’re excited to get the season started,” Horton said.
Pregame Outlook — Mustangs, Bulldogs meet in season opener
