Mother Nature was kind enough to halt the storms Saturday and allow Iola High football fans to get a glimpse of the Mustangs in an inter-squad scrimmage.
The high school team followed the youth Mustangs-on-Mustangs matchup.
This season marks the 115th anniversary of Iola High football. If you didnt know already, the Mustangs first game at Riverside Park was a matchup against Moran on Sept. 6, 1904. Iola came away with the win, 6-0.
Earl McIntosh, who graduated from Iola in 1984 and now lives in Topeka, runs the Iola High Mustang Football Alumni group that is in charge of raising money to renovate various facilities around Riverside Park. Most recently, the money raised went to renovate the mens restroom at the stadium. McIntosh said the easiest way to help the program is to contact Donna Houser at the Iola Historical Society.
The Iola High Mustang Football Alumni hopes to make this season a special one for the players.
I encourage anyone to go checkout our Facebook page at Iola Mustang Football Alumni, McIntosh said. Each week this season we are going to have a special member of a different era wishing the Mustangs well and good luck. They will come speak to the team each Sunday night leading up to the game later in the week.
Saturday night started off with the Iola Youth Mustangs facing off in an inter-squad scrimmage. The atmosphere was electric for the youngsters, as they came out of a tunnel created by the high school stars. Iola High Mustangs head football coach Dave Daugharthy said it was a special moment for the football stars of tomorrow.
The kids really enjoyed it, which I think is the most important thing, Daugharthy said. Seeing a smile on their faces is what it is all about, because hopefully they will be playing for me in a few years. I couldnt imagine what it would have been like for me when I was their age getting to play on the game field.
Following the youth scrimmage, the Iola High Mustangs took the field. It was the first chance to see the Mustangs after their first week of practice. After only five practices, it was evident the Mustangs still have some finishing touches before their week one matchup away at Parsons.
Defensively, I think we looked pretty sharp. With the exception of quarterbacks not having time to throw, we did have some routes that were wide open, but that was the only negative thing I saw on defense, Daugharthy said. Offensively, I saw flashes of a lot of athleticism.
The main struggle for the Mustangs was the center/quarterback exchange. On many occasions, the ball seemed to roll like a bowling ball back to quarterback Bradyn Cole. It may have been due to the wet field, and nerves. Overall, when the snaps were on point, the offense appeared to run smoothly and Cole was able to get the ball in the hands of offensive playmakers Casen Barker, Isaac Badders and Zane Whitney.
Daugharthy has emphasized that he sees a lot of potential in this group, and perhaps they can make the 115th season of Iola football a special one.
McIntosh agreed. I think it is very special, and that it is a very unique thing for a program to be around 115 years, he said.
