Longtime Southeast Kansas League arch-rivals meet for the final time Friday in SEK action. But if the two current head coaches have anything to say about it, it will not be the final Iola-Chanute football game.
Iola High’s Mustangs (0-4) travel to Chanute Friday to challenge Chanute High’s Blue Comets (3-1). Kickoff is 7 p.m. at the Chanute Community Sports Complex.
“Don and I’ve talked about this since we announced our league change. As coaches, we’d like to see the schools play each other every year. It’s a great rivalry,” said Rick Horton, Mustang head coach.
Chanute head coach Don Simmons echoed Horton’s thoughts on the game.
“It’s tradition and it’s good for both schools. Rick and I’ve talked and of course, we want to keep the game in place. The communities are just 20 miles apart and the rivalry is a good one,” Simmons said.
Unfortunately, on the football field the Blue Comets have had the upper hand over the Mustangs. Iola has not beaten Chanute since a 21-0 win at Chanute in 1988. That is 22 in a row going the Blue Comets’ way.
“We all know Friday is going to be a challenge for us. We’ve spent a lot of time this week trying to rebuild the team unity,” Horton said. “It is tough being in a losing streak but the guys are hungry.
“These guys want to win and they are working hard. We just have to figure out how to have them ready to play at the start of the game — we’ve fallen behind in games quickly — and play a better second half. We have to put together four quarters of play.”
Chanute is coming off a SEK heartbreaker of a loss, 32-28 against Pittsburg.
“That was a great game between two good teams,” Simmons said. “It was back and forth throughout and Pittsburg scored last to get the win.”
The Comets got news just before preseason practices began that returning running back Jared McComb moved to Texas. Simmons said his players rallied and the team “has come together really well despite that. We had kids step up and we’ve had great production from them.”
In the backfield for Chanute are junior Blake Kisner at tailback and senior Sam Son at fullback. Brock Gilmore, a junior, has taken over the quarterbacking duties this season as senior Grant McMillan shifted to wide receiver.
“Coming into the season, Blake was sixth on our depth chart at running back and he has done a great job. Grant moved to wide receiver and proved to be very good out there. We also have Brandon Bell and Chase Bartholomew as receivers. Brock is more of a passing quarterback so we’re pretty balanced offensively,” Simmons said.
Chanute leads the SEK in offensive team scoring, averaging almost 37 points a game. Iola has averaged 18 points a game in scoring but has given up an average of 50.5 points a game in four outings.
“Chanute runs and passes the ball well. We’re going to try to bring pressure from areas we haven’t yet this season,” Horton said of Iola’s defense.
“Chanute’s defense is pretty sound especially between the tackles. There middle linebacker — the (Quinton) Schooley kid — is huge and moves well. (Skylar) McGinnis at defensive tackle helps just ball up the middle. We’re looking to get to the edge and attack the outside linebackers and defensive backs.”
Simmons pointed to the 6-5, 250-pound senior Schooley as a major cog in the Comet defense. He said Schooley, who plays on the offensive line also, has done well at middle linebacker.
“We have to limit our turnovers. We had three turnovers against Pittsburg and two came in the second half. And we have to be more consistent on offense. We’ve scored points in the first half of games but not as much in the second half,” Simmons said.
Iola gets one player back and loses another.
Sophomore running back and defensive back John Whitworth was cleared to play and has had his required practices to be able to play Friday. Whitworth had health issues crop up the first days of preseason practices. He will start as a cornerback on defense.
In Tuesday’s practice, junior lineman Aaron Barclay suffered a knee injury. On Wednesday it was confirmed as a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and Barclay is lost for the rest of the season. Barclay played both sides of the ball on the junior varsity and saw varsity playing time along the line.
Good news is that senior offensive lineman Brad Bazo is back from his concussion and illness. But senior Kris Collins is hampered with a broken bone in his foot.
“Having John ready to play will help us at running back also. Kris is trying to tough it out and play in spots for us,” Horton said. “It’s been frustrating with the injures this season.”
Probable Starters
Iola High Mustangs
Offense
QB — Mason Coons, 6-1, 176, Jr.
TB — Jerrik Sigg, 6-1, 172, Sr.
FB — Devin Culler, 6-1, 182, Sr.
WR — Clint Heffern, 5-10, 165, Sr.
TE — Corey Taylor, 6-3, 151, Sr.
LT — Eli Grover, 6-0, 225, Jr.
LG — Brad Bazo, 5-11, 241, Sr.
C — Zach Crawford, 5-9, 171, Sr.
RG — Blake Appling, 5-11, 192, Sr.
RT — Trey Colborn, 5-9, 240, Fr.
WR — Jacob Rhoads, 5-8, 160, So.
PK — Isaias Macias, 5-7, 152, So
Defense
E — Bryce Misenhelter, 6-3, 178, So.
L — Trey Colborn, 5-9, 240, Fr.
L — Eric Maxwell, 6-1, 185, So.
E — Devin Culler, 6-1, 182, Sr.
LB — Jacob Rhoads, 5-8, 160, So.
LB — Derrick Weir, 5-8, 161, So.
LB — Kaden Macha, 6-0, 168, Fr.
LB — Eric Heffern, 5-11, 159, Jr.
CB — John Whitworth, 5-9, 160, So.
CB — Gavin Wilson, 5-9, 149, Sr.
FS — Clint Heffern, 5-10, 165, Sr.
P — Devon Conner, 6-0, 153, Sr.
Chanute High Blue Comets
Offense
QB — Brock Gilmore, 6-4, 215, Jr.
TB — Blake Kisner, 6-0, 178, Jr.
FB — Sam Son, 5-9, 180, Sr.
SE — Grant McMillan, 5-11, 180, Sr.
SB — Brandon Bell, 5-7, 165, Sr.
T — Quinton Schooley, 6-5, 250, Sr.
G — Skylar McGinnis, 5-10, 204, Sr.
C — Jack Martin, 5-11, 195, Jr.
G — Kyle Ysusi, 5-11, 192, Sr.
T — Cody Howell, 6-0, 210, Jr.
SE — Chase Bartholmew, 6-0, 200, Sr.
PK — A.J. LaRocca, 5-9, 130, So.
Defense
DE — Ryan Haynes, 6-1, 210, Sr.
DT — Skylar McGinnis, 5-10, 204, Sr.
DT — Kyle Ysusi, 5-11, 192, Sr.
DE — Josh Smeed, 6-0, 200, Jr.
LB — Sam Son, 5-9, 180, Sr.
LB — Quinton Schooley, 6-5, 250, Sr.
LB — Cody Howell, 6-0, 210, Jr.
LB — Evan Hale, 5-10, 160, Jr.
CB — Brandon Bell, 5-7, 165, Sr.
FS — Grant McMillan, 5-11, 180, Sr.
CB — Christian Wiltse, 5-11, 150, So.
P — Grant McMillan.
