Both teams have tasted victory in this long-running rivalry since the series was renewed in 2013.
Indianola Academy won that game 26-16 and then Pillow Academy answered with a 40-6 thrashing of the Colonels in 2014. Last year, IA escaped with a 27-24 victory after holding off a late charge by the Mustangs.
It was a game where the Mustangs had three turnovers, including a fumble returned for a touchdown, and were hit with many crucial penalties — the costliest being a block in the back foul that wiped out Pillow’s go-ahead touchdown with four minutes to play.
Regardless of how last season’s game went, PA coach Tripp McCarty said both teams want this one.
“Our seniors and their seniors want to go out with a win in this rivalry. The kids on both sides are invested in this one because most of them know each other,” said the third-year Mustang coach. “Our kids have been on a mission this week in practice.”
The Class AAAA-member Mustangs are 1-0 after scoring on their first seven possessions of the first half en route to a 46-6 win over Kirk Academy.
“Pillow has a good ballclub,” said IA coach Tommy Nester, who guided the Colonels to the state AAA title game in 2015. “They have a lot of good skill players with speed everywhere. This will be a very good challenge for our kids.”
IA also won its opener with great ease, reeling off 362 total yards in a 35-7 win over Manchester.
Like Nester, McCarty believes his team faces a much tougher task than it did in Week 1.
“Indianola has a lot of good players back from a team that played for state.This game will be a great measuring stick for us because they are comparable to a AAAA playoff team,” McCarty said.
Of those 362 yards for the Colonels last week, 269 came via the rushing attack — which was spearheaded by Sebastian Harris’ 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore quarterback Will Davis also scored two touchdowns while gaining 86 yards on a dozen carries. He also completed 6 of 9 passes for 78 yards.
McCarty is excited about the way his defense flew around and rallied to the ball last week, but he knows that unit faces more of a challenge Friday.
“We were very vanilla against Kirk. He won’t be able to just sit there against Indianola,” McCarty said.
IA holds an overall series edge of 21-15 over the Mustangs.
