INDIANOLA, Iowa — Indianola's 2023 season ended in a heart-breaking fashion.
With the game on the line, they allowed Cedar Rapids Xavier to convert a 4th and 27 before scoring the winning touchdown, sending the Musketeers to the 4A state quarterfinals.
That close loss has motivated the Indians.
"It's always a nice reminder that, hey, we were this close, and if we can just focus this much more or give a little more effort, maybe those things change in the end," said head coach Eric Kluver.
The motivation could set the path to Indianola's first trip past the quarterfinals since dropping down to 4A in 2021.
"I think the guys coming back know how it felt to lose that game, and kind of felt like you let somebody down," said senior running back Jake Pontier. "I know people around here, people don't like letting people down, so hopefully that drives us into the playoffs this year."
Indianola opens the season on the road against Urbandale on Aug. 30.