HUMBOLDT — Humboldt, in Humboldt County, is a three hour, 186 mile drive from Solon. A long time to spend on a bus, and even longer when the return trip follows a season-ending loss. The Spartans, with an 8-2 record, traveled to Humboldt Friday for a Class 3A Quarterfinal Round game against the 9-1 Wildcats and fell 35-3.
Solon got on the scoreboard first with a 36-yard field goal by Ryan Locke on the Spartans’ second possession. The drive nearly had a touchdown as quarterback Ty Bell found Eli Kampman in the endzone. Unfortunately for Solon, the pass was incomplete.
The Wildcats scored three times in the second quarter on a 49-yard pass, an 11-yard pass, and a one-yard dash by quarterback Coen Matson to lead 21-3 at the half. Humboldt nearly had a fourth score but for an interception by Owen Einwalter with 29 seconds remaining in the half.
The Wildcats made it 28-3 with 5:21 left in the third quarter on a drive following an interception. Solon’s next drive also ended with a Humboldt pick six, which started a Wildcat drive ending with a 36-yard pass for another touchdown and 35-3 advantage. Solon’s best shot at a touchdown came in the fourth quarter when Bell connected with Kampman, who scurried toward the endzone. Misfortune struck again though as the ball came loose just shy of the goal line for a touchback and turnover.
“Overall, it was a great season,” said Head Coach Lucas Stanton. “We finished in the top eight and of course we were disappointed with the loss vs Humboldt but when you get to step back and get perspective, our kids have nothing to hang their heads about. Considering what we lost from the year before and seeing so many new guys step in and step up was rewarding.
We battled injuries and a couple setbacks and the way the kids responded and grew as people was impressive. I was really proud of our kids and staff. This was a small senior class (Beau Mullen, Karsyn Regennitter, Cole Carney, Charlie Karam, Oliver Owens, Ty Bell, Owen Einwalter, Eddie Johnson, Abe Houtakker, Owen Grimm, Grant Wilson, Reece Rochholz, Jackson Feuerbach, and Mike DeValk) and they will be missed. These guys stuck with it for four years and worked hard to get to where they are. I don’t think many outside of our program thought they would go as far as they did but they never listened to the naysayers.”
Looking ahead to next season and the many hours of off season work ahead of the Spartans, the coach is optimistic. “We do return quite a bit going into next year and feel good about those guys. There is a lot of experience on both sides of the ball and overall good leadership! We are looking forward to a good off season.”
The Spartans ended the season at 8-3 while Humboldt advanced to the Semifinals to take on Mount Vernon (10-1) Friday, Nov. 16 in the UNI-Dome for the 3A Semifinals with Sergeant Bluff-Luton (11-0) and Wahlert Catholic (11-0). The Class 3A Championship Game will be played Friday, Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m. in the UNI-Dome.