VAN HORNE — A three-way battle for the District championship is in place after Solon fell to Benton Community Friday in Van Horne. The 3-2 Bobcats upset the 5-0 Spartans 21-20 tying Solon with Grinnell and this Friday’s opponent, Williamsburg, at 5-1 on the season.
Senior quarterback Ty Bell put Solon on the board in the first quarter as he scampered in to score. The Spartans ended the quarter down 7-6 however.
After a scoreless second quarter senior Owen Einwalter took a Bell pass 51 yards to score in the third. Solon trailed 14-12 going into the fourth. Eddie Johnson ran the ball in to score in the fourth and got the two-point conversion to pull the Spartans ahead 20-14, but the Bobcats scored with just over a minute remaining to clinch the win.
Head Coach Lucas Stanton said the loss was tough, but also an opportunity for the squad to learn from.
“We will be better for it. We had manyguys step in and step up for injured teammates and they performed well,” he said. The Spartans had some early miscues that put them in a bad position, and Stanton noted they didn’t handle some situations very well, but “That’s on me, not the kids though. They played with heart and gave it their all.”
While a 21-20 setback is tough for a good team to swallow, Stanton said the Spartans have to use it propel themselves forward. “I still believe and know we have a really good football team. We won’t look at it as a setback but rather a moment that will help us with future success. We have to learn from it and apply those lessons moving forward.”
The shock, he said, will only help to build more resilience and mental toughness, “Which is key to achieving our long term goals for the season. We still have three (regular season) games left and still have everything we want right there. I’m excited to see what this team will do and how they respond.”
Up next – Williamsburg
The Spartans travel to Williamsburg this Friday with the frosh-soph game at 5:00 p.m. and varsity to follow around 7:30 p.m. Stanton knows it will be another challenge.
“(There’s) no time to hang our heads as we have to prepare for Williamsburg right away. We have had some good battles with Williamsburg and this one will be no different. They have a really explosive offense and sound defense.”
The Raiders rolled over Solon 45-14 last year in the 3A State Semifinals after a 21-14 Solon win in the regular season.
One concern is Tayce Heitman, a senior who has racked up 746 yards and 16 touchdowns this season on 39 receptions.
“Heitman is one of the best players in 3A,” said Stanton. “We know what we are going to get with them and know the challenges they present. It will be another tough road game but we are excited for the challenge and opportunity.”
Looking ahead
Solon returns home Friday, October 18 to face 1-5 Fairfield on Senior Night and ends the regular season at South Tama (0-6 as of this writing) Friday, October 25.
Class 3A playoffs start Friday, Nov. 1 with tickets available through Home Town Ticketing at www.iahsaa.org/tickets/.
Quarterfinals are set for Thursday and Friday, Nov. 7 and 8 with Class 3A semifinals scheduled for Saturday,
Stats
Passing – Ty Bell 19/33, 273 yards, one TD.’
Rushing – Einar Stecher, 41 yards/21 carries. Cole Carney 36 yards/nine carries. Eddie Johnson 19 yards/two carries, one TD. Bell 15 yards/seven carries, one TD.
Receiving – Maddox Kelley 105 yards/eight receptions. Karsyn Regennitter 67 yards/ seven receptions. Owen Einwalter 51 yards/ one reception, one TD. Eli Kampman 50 yards/three receptions.
Defense – Tripp Johnson ten solo tackles, two for a loss. Kelley five solo. Kampman four solo. Einwalter three solo, one for a loss. Teague
Williams two solo. Colby Myers two solo. Jackson Feuerbach two solo. Beau Mullen one solo. Regennitter one solo. Stecher one solo. Kaden Hoeper one solo. Owen Grimm one solo. Grant Wilson one solo. Lucas Feuerbach one solo.