Iota opens District 4-3A play at Iowa

IOTA – No one is more ready for a new start than the Iota Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs (0-5) have been held off of the scoreboard for 10 straight quarters this season and out of the win column for 15 straight weeks (dating back to last season).
So as the weather has started to turn outside, Iota is hoping that changes are afoot on the gridiron as well as district play begins. But those changes start with self-improvement.
“We keep working, trying to get better,” said Neal Legé, Bulldogs coach. “That’s about all we can do.
“We’re definitely not going to quit, that’s for sure.”
Complicating the issue are injuries. As Legé knew depth was going to be a problem entering this season. Going into game six, Iota’s fears are now being realized.
“We’re banged up, which is the bad thing,” said Legé. “We’ve got some young kids that we’re working with.
“Everybody’s got the typical bumps and bruises. We’re waiting on Timmy (Lunson)’s concussion analysis. If we don’t have him it could be trouble … more trouble, really.”
The trouble Legé is referring to is Iota would then have to look at its third quarterback option, sophomore Bliss Deshazo, to start, as backup quarterback Tristan Miller, a freshman, fractured his hand several weeks back in practice. Deshazo has seen playing time at the skill positions over the past five weeks, playing wide receiver and even running the ball a few times.
“It’s a chess match,” said Legé. “You make yourself stronger here, but make yourself weaker there.”
As for what awaits them Friday night, things are going from bad to worst it seems.
The Iowa Yellowjackets (3-2) are on a two game skid after starting the year hot with three wins out the gate. But the record is not indicative of the talent Iowa possesses.
“They still have a bunch of good ball players,” said Legé. “The backs are back and both those guys run the ball really well.
And while the talk preseason was a potential move to a more spread offense for the Yellowjackets, Iowa has actually been running the ball out of the spread, according to Legé. However it is not just the running game that Iota will be contending with Friday night.
“Their quarterback is an accurate passer and they have a batch of good receivers. They pose a few problems,” said Legé.
“Defensively, they get to the ball. They have a good group of linebackers and are aggressive upfront.”
Iowa opened the season at Erath with a 20-3 victory before rattling off home victories Woodlawn-Shreveport (25-8) and Tioga (27-14). However as the Yellowjackets hit the road again and the competition got stiffer, the victories became losses. The team lost to Kaplan (14-28) in Week Four and White Castle (26-44) in Week Five.
Now as Iowa returns home, it too is looking for change, or in this case, reverting back to its form from earlier in the year.
“It doesn’t get easier for us as far as who we’re playing,” said Legé.
On the final game of its three-week road trip, Iota will travel to Iowa where kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.