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Friday’s opponent – Osage – is a team the Eldon Mustangs almost beat last season, losing by a field goal at the end of the game.
There are other interesting storylines for Friday’s Eldon versus School of the Osage football game, including the fact that current EHS head coach Shannon Jolley was the coach of the Indians for five seasons.
“There’s a lot of history there. That was my first head coaching job,” Jolley said. “I was fortunate to be there when the program turned around. That kind of adds to the rivalry.”
Comparable to the situation he inherited when he returned to Eldon as the head coach – Jolley was an assistant at Eldon before going to Osage – the Indians won just one game in his first two seasons.
“It was a pretty downtrodden program,” Jolley said.
But he helped to turn things around, just like he is doing at Eldon. The Indians won six, eight and nine games in his last three seasons at Osage.
Jolley is hoping for similar results as head coach of the Mustangs.
“You see some parallels,” he said. “This is not my first ballgame as far as that goes. There’s something rewarding for me to take something that isn’t too strong and try to build onto that. That’s what I’m most proud of for our kids.”
Jolley has had plenty of reason to be proud of his team so far this season.
“We have a special group,” Jolley said. “With these kids, it’s more than a football team. They are really fine young men. That’s something I’m more proud of than anything.”
Even though the program appears headed in the right direction, Jolley continues to preach the same message to his players.
“Within our football program, we talk about how we do things more than like what we’re going to prepare to do (against an opponent),” Jolley said. “But one thing we don’t do and will never do is underestimate our opponent. I expect every game to be a dogfight.”
The Mustangs have had some battles this season. They won their opening game of the season by scoring a touchdown in the final seconds, and their only loss of the season was in overtime in Week 2.
“We’ve been involved in some great ballgames already,” Jolley said. “The enthusiasm around our program now is second to none. The kids are really having fun.”
Friday’s opponent – Osage – is a team the Eldon Mustangs almost beat last season, losing by a field goal at the end of the game.
There are other interesting storylines for Friday’s Eldon versus School of the Osage football game, including the fact that current EHS head coach Shannon Jolley was the coach of the Indians for five seasons.
“There’s a lot of history there. That was my first head coaching job,” Jolley said. “I was fortunate to be there when the program turned around. That kind of adds to the rivalry.”
Comparable to the situation he inherited when he returned to Eldon as the head coach – Jolley was an assistant at Eldon before going to Osage – the Indians won just one game in his first two seasons.
“It was a pretty downtrodden program,” Jolley said.
But he helped to turn things around, just like he is doing at Eldon. The Indians won six, eight and nine games in his last three seasons at Osage.
Jolley is hoping for similar results as head coach of the Mustangs.
“You see some parallels,” he said. “This is not my first ballgame as far as that goes. There’s something rewarding for me to take something that isn’t too strong and try to build onto that. That’s what I’m most proud of for our kids.”
Jolley has had plenty of reason to be proud of his team so far this season.
“We have a special group,” Jolley said. “With these kids, it’s more than a football team. They are really fine young men. That’s something I’m more proud of than anything.”
Even though the program appears headed in the right direction, Jolley continues to preach the same message to his players.
“Within our football program, we talk about how we do things more than like what we’re going to prepare to do (against an opponent),” Jolley said. “But one thing we don’t do and will never do is underestimate our opponent. I expect every game to be a dogfight.”
The Mustangs have had some battles this season. They won their opening game of the season by scoring a touchdown in the final seconds, and their only loss of the season was in overtime in Week 2.
“We’ve been involved in some great ballgames already,” Jolley said. “The enthusiasm around our program now is second to none. The kids are really having fun.”
Jolley credits the team’s work ethic for its success so far this season.
“Timing is a big part of rebuilding,” Jolley said. “I just think our kids made up a lot of ground last spring and over the summer by putting in the time, and it’s starting to show. Everybody did an outstanding job. Coming into camp, they were more prepared than they’ve ever been.”
So, even though Jolley is 0-3 against his former team, he’s hoping that will change come Friday. One thing for sure, he expects the intensity level will be high on both sides.
“It will be an awesome environment for everybody,” Jolley said. “If you like high school football and small-town rivalries, being in Eldon on Friday night will be the place to be.”
