Injuries and just plain trying to find the best 11 guys on offense and defense has put Iola High’s Mustangs behind the eight-ball in 2010.
The 0-4 Mustangs have had to make changes along the offensive line each week including this week. They have had injuries on the line, at quarterback and throughout the defense.
Searching. Searching. Searching are the Mustangs for the right combination of players on offense and defense to get the job done under the lights on Friday nights.
“We’ve not had the same offensive line two games in a row. It’s hard to have continuity and move our offense when we’ve had so many changes,” said Rick Horton, Mustang head coach.
And here they go again Friday.
Iola hosts Southeast Kansas League archrival Chanute High’s Blue Comets Friday. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Riverside Park.
The Blue Comets are coming off two straight losses — 35-31 to Columbus and 36-26 to Pittsburg.
“We’re playing pretty well but have shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers and penalties the past two games,” said Don Simmons, Chanute head coach.
“If we don’t make mistakes, we’re a very productive offensive team. We’ve moved the ball well in all four games.”
Chanute (2-2) has junior Grant McMillian guiding the offense with senior Eric Bowman, a transfer from Girard, and junior Jared McComb, who is back to full health, running the football.
McMillian has a good group of receivers to throw the football to in games. Simmons said the top three are slot back Alec Haight and split ends Griffin Williams and Ethan Beck, all seniors.
“We do a good job of balancing our offense. We’ve run the ball more this year than last year,” Simmons said.
Against Pittsburg, the Comets rolled up 246 yards on the ground and threw for 102.
Defensively, Simmons said it has been a team effort. The young Comet secondary has nine interceptions in four games.
The anchors to the Blue Comet defense are defensive end Ethan Kepley, defensive tackle Quinton Schooley, linebacker Austin Richard and cornerback Mitchell Hale.
“Limit our mistakes on offense and limit big plays by Iola are keys for us Friday,” Simmons said.
Iola went back to a 50-50 ratio in practices for defensive and offensive work, according to Horton.
“The last couple of weeks we really stressed defense but turned our attention to both again this week. Our offense looked really crisp in practice (Wednesday),” Horton said.
“We’re seeing progress from our offensive line. We just have to have a group stay healthy and work together for more than one game.”
Senior guard and linebacker Drew Shepherd is out again, this time with a knee injury.
Junior Zach Crawford gets his first start at left guard for the Mustangs.
More shifting on the defensive side for the Mustangs. Senior Ralph Shafer and junior Blake Appling are starting on the defensive line at end and noseguard, respectively.
Sophomore Stephen McDonald has been moved back to the strong-side middle linebacker from noseguard.
“Chanute has fumbled the ball four times in one game and five in another. We have got to hit their runningbacks hard and force the ball out. Also they have had 20 holding penalties in four games,” Horton said.
“We’ve told our guys to keep fighting to get off their blocks.
“Overall, our kids just need to settle down into the game. We overrun plays on defense instead of breaking down, chopping our feet and making the play.”
Pregame Outlook — Mustangs search for answers on gridiron
