PARSONS — Iola Middle School’s seventh-graders capped a successful season in come-from behind fashion. ETHAN SCHEIBMEIR put the eighth-graders on the board late in the first half with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Ponies trailed 6-0 at the break before scoring twice in the second half.
Cale Barnhart’s one-yard touchdown run with 1:37 left on the clock, coupled with his two-point conversion, gave Iola a 16-14 win. Nick Vaughn then intercepted a Parsons pass to seal the win.
In eighth-grade action, Parsons scored 24 first-half points en route to a 46-14 win.
The eighth-graders ended their season at 3-4. The seventh grade ended with a 5-2 record.
Parsons scored late in the first quarter of the seventh-grade contest and led through the balance of the half 6-0.
“These kids came out flat, but regrouped at halftime and played their best football,” Pony head coach Marty Taylor said.
Evan Sigg got Iola on the scoreboard with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Sigg’s two-point run gave the Ponies an 8-6 advantage.
Parsons scored with 3:50 left in the game to set up Iola’s game-clinching scoring drive.
Barnhart rushed for 14 yards, while Sigg rushed for 38 and completed 2 of 5 passes for 19 yards, both to Ethan Holloway. Vaughn rushed for 12 yards; Isaac Vink for 10.
On defense, Matt Komma led Iola with seven tackles. Barnhart and Nick Peterson added six and five tackles, respectively. Vaughn had four stops and the game-clinching pick.
“All year long these boys got better every practice,” Taylor said. “To go 5 and 2 against a tough SEK schedule is something to be proud of.”
Seth Sanford then scored from four yards out late in the third quarter. Sanford also ran in the two-point conversion.
“Parsons is a very good football team, but these kids battled all night,” Taylor said. “This loss doesn’t take away the fact these kids won seven games over their two years. They work hard and are a great group of kids.
“Ethan Scheibmeir played his heart out tonight, just a fantastic effort.”
Scheibmeir ran for 121 yards. Sanford had 14 yards on the ground. Ben Cooper completed 1 of 11 passes, including a seven-yard completion to Garrett Wade.
Chase Regehr and Scheibmeir led the Ponies with six and five tackles, respectively.
Split caps Pony season
