Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Long time eastern Iowa powers Solon and Cedar Rapids Xavier will travel north 60 miles to the UNI-Dome for the latest meeting between the Class 3A heavyweights.

Top-ranked Solon (11-0) and No. 3 Xavier (11-0) meet in the postseason for the first time on Thursday in the 3A semifinals at 8:21 p.m.

One of only three state semifinals this season between unbeaten teams the 3A semifinal nightcap comes as one of the most anticipated matchups of the semifinal weekend.

Here are five things to watch that could determine who plays for the 3A state title next Thursday.

Points at a Premium

With two of the toughest defenses in the state at any level squaring off putting up points is going to be a challenge for both teams.

The two teams are allowing 11.8 points per game COMBINED this season with Solon the stingiest scoring defense in the state at just 3.4 points per game.

Neither team has given up more than 21 points in a game this season and both teams hold opponents to under 178 total yards per game.

“We have to be opportunistic and take advantage of those opportunities when they present themselves,” Solon coach Kevin Miller said. “When we have people open we have to maximize those opportunities because they are going to be few and far between.”

Staying Alive

Facing one of the best coached and most disciplined defenses around Solon can’t rely on lot of chunk yardage plays against a Saint defense that is holding opponents 180 total yards per game.

That means sustaining drives and to sustain drives teams must convert on third down.

Solon was a less than stellar 5-of-19 on third down conversions in a week nine win over Fairfield and an opening round playoff victory over Decorah (although the Spartans were 6-of-7 on fourth down conversions in those games).

In arguably its best offensive performance of the season last week against West Delaware the Spartans converted six of eight third down attempts, averaging 15.9 yards per play on third down.

“We just have to do a good job of spreading the wealth and getting people involved but we feel pretty confident that we have a number of guys that can make plays,” Miller said. “We just have to do a better job of being consistent.” 

Big Play AJ

In close games one or two big plays are often the difference.

If those big plays come from Solon there is a good chance AJ Coons has a hand, or two, in making it.

The sophomore receiver has become the top target for Solon quarterback and classmate Cam Miller this season with a team-high 552 receiving yards and has flashed big play ability along the way.

Coons is averaging 24 yards per reception this season but his eight touchdown grabs have gone for an average of nearly 39 yards.

The 6-foot-3 wideout has a touchdown in four straight games with three of those scores coming from 20 yards or further.

“They are a physical team I think they play a lot like we do,” Coons said of Xavier. “We just have to go out and do our job and try to make big plays like we have been this year.”

Friendly Confines

With temperatures outside plunging closer to single digits fans from both teams are celebrating the temperature controlled confines of the UNI-Dome.

Perhaps no one is more excited for indoor football than quarterbacks Cam Miller and Quinn Schulte especially given the defenses awaiting them in the semifinals.

With two teams both holding teams under 76 yards per game on the ground the winner of Thursday’s contest is going to have to move the ball through the air.

Both teams have first-year quarterbacks that are sons of head coaches and capable of putting their teams on their backs.

A receiver last season, Schulte has accounted for 1,743 total yards and 29 touchdowns in his first season under center.  

Miller has thrown for 1,706 yards and 24 touchdowns with just four interceptions in his first season leading the Solon offense.

“It will be warm and a lot nicer than it has been outside the past few games,” Cam Miller said. “We are going to have to show up and play physical and tough and play our style of football that we have been playing all year long.

Happy Returns

If defenses shine as most expect there will be plenty of punting and opportunities for punt returns and Xavier has a big-time play maker in the return game in junior Braden Stovie.

Stovie returned punts 86 and 62 yards for touchdowns in a win over Davenport Assumption last week and averages 25.7 yards per return this season but still doesn’t lead the team in return average.

That distinction belongs to senior Gabe Lux who is averaging a whopping 33.3 yards on nine punt returns taking two back for scores.

As a team the Saints average better than 30 yards per punt return with four returned for scores.

Justin Schneider also averages an impressive 44.8 yards per kickoff return.