TJ Taylor already is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Iola High School history.
Now the IHS senior needs to dust off some space on his trophy shelf — this time for football.
Taylor brought home several honors Tuesday during the IHS Mustangs’ season-ending awards banquet.
It began with the announcement that Taylor earned second-team All-Pioneer League honors for his work as a defensive back, continued when he was voted by his teammates as Iola’s offensive player of the year, and culminated with his selection — also by his teammates — as the recipient of the second annual Distinguished Mustang Award.
Tha last award may be the most meaningful of the bunch, explained guest speaker John Masterson, IHS Class of 1962, because it considers more than just stats.
Rather, it looks at a player’s intangible qualities, Masterson said, such as leadership and character. While both are integral to being great on the football field, they’re equally vital as a player embarks on other endeavors.
The Distinguished Mustang Award was developed by the football team’s alumni boosters in 2020. Last year’s winner was 2021 graduate Dillon Slaven.
Taylor’s name will be added to the trophy, which will remain on display at the high school.
Perhaps the most surprising part of Tuesday’s awards was what Taylor didn’t receive, noted IHS head coach David Daugharthy.
Despite leading the Pioneer League in receiving with 410 yards and five touchdowns on the season, Taylor did not earn all-league recognition for his work on offense.
Daugharthy suspected players from schools with more prominent offensive attacks garnered more recognition, despite having inferior statistical performances.
Defensively, Taylor had 34 tackles and an interception.
Taylor wasn’t the only Mustang to rake in the hardware.
Senior classmate Tyler Boeken finished off his football career with two more first-team all-league honors, for his work on the offensive and defensive lines, respectively. It marked the second straight year Boeken earned first-team recognition on both sides of the ball.
In addition, Boeken — who led Iola with 102 tackles and 8½ tackles for loss — was voted by his teammates as the Mustangs’ 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.
