Iola High’s football team came out strong against Prairie View, but a Buffalo stampede and missed opportunities resulted in a 41-7 loss Friday.
The 0-2 Mustangs had both their home opener and homecoming on the same night, adding extra fans in the stands.
The crowd had barely settled into their seats when Brice Aiello gave them reason to stand and cheer, returning the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and 7-0 lead — Iola’s first score of the season.
Prairie View answered quickly putting together a 4 minute, 30 second drive covering 58 yards. Will Holland scored on a 1-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.
“We had a tough call on a holding call early, that really killed the momentum we had after the long kick return,” coach Doug Kerr said. “Brice did a great job. We grew as a program, but we’re just not finishing plays, we’re not finishing drives.”
Facing third and 9 on Prairie View’s 19, Iola’s Kaden Macha ran for a first down.
But the run was nullified with the aforementioned holding penalty, pushing the ball back to the Buffalo 20.
An incomplete pass forced Iola to attempt a field goal. The kick fell short
Prairie View didn’t take long to respond.
The Buffalos struck quickly with a 77-yard touchdown pass. Buffalo quarterback Shaun Ackerson saw Colin Gulotta sneak past the Mustang secondary and floated him a pass.
The 77-yard touchdown pushed Prairie View on top for good, 14-7.
A Mustang three-and-out followed, giving the Buffalos possession once again at their 41. On the first play of the second quarter, Ackerson connected with Nathan Gilreath on a 54-yard score to lead 21-7.
The final nail in the Mustang coffin followed a few plays later. Iola marched from midfield to the Buffalo 25 before a fumble was recovered by Prairie View and returned 72 yards for another touchdown.
27-7, Buffalos.
“The fumble really was the dagger for us,” Kerr said. “I don’t want to take anything away from them. They’re a good football team. They’re senior heavy. This is their year.”
Iola marched deep into Prairie View territory again late in the half before a botched snap gave the Buffalos possession once again. Ackerson found Phelps for a 22-yard touchdown in the final minute of the half to give the Buffalos a 34-7 advantage.
Ackerson threw his fourth touchdown of the night, this time a 36-yard pass to Gulotta, to open the second half — and end the scoring.
The Mustangs rushed for 149 yards on 42 attempts. Macha led the team with 88 rushing yards, followed by Keanen Badders with 59, Aiello with 19 and Ethan Scheibmeir with 15. Macha threw two passes to Aiello that resulted in negative yardage and one 11-yard pass to Chase Regehr.
“There are no more excuses of being too young, anymore. We’ve got two games under our belts,” Kerr said. “Those young kids now have eight quarters. They’ve got to step up and play.”
Iola (0-2) travels to Altamont next Friday to face Labette County.
Relentless Buffalo attack spoils homecoming
