Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

SOLON – Whether they were battling each other at practice during the week or teaming up to slow opponents on Friday night’s Adam Bock and Coal Flansburg spent most of their prep football careers together.

It seemed only fitting that when the time came to celebrate the next step in their football careers the Solon duo did so at the same time.

Bock and Flansburg each signed letters of intent to play Division I football on Wednesday’s early signing period at a ceremony at Solon High School.

Flansburg signed with Iowa State while Bock inked his letter with South Dakota State.

“He definitely pushed me and I know that I pushed him,” Flansburg said of Bock. “We were always competing so it was great to have him there to make me a better player.”

Together Bock and Flansburg formed one of the top linebacking duos in the state.

The two combined for 234.5 tackles and forced 11 turnovers over the past two seasons while helping Solon to a 20-2 mark during that span.

“Those are the two best linebackers I’ve seen on a high school football team,” Western Dubuque coach Justin Penner said after his team defeated Solon in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs. “Those two can really play.”

Bock and Flansburg feed off each other as teammates and drove each other as competitors.

“Iron sharpens iron,” Bock said. “When you have a guy like Coal to go up against every single day that is going to make you a lot better.”

The 6-foot, 215-pound Bock signed with South Dakota State after leading the Spartans in tackles each of the past two seasons.

Bock was a Class 3A first-team all-state pick as a senior after making 74.5 tackles including 47 solo stops, three tackles for loss and two sacks.

“It’s a good feeling knowing that all your hard work has finally paid off,” Bock said. “It’s exciting to know that you are going to have a spot to play football at the next level.”

Bock also led Solon with 644 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, caught 11 passes for 99 yards and three scores and averaged 42.6 yards per punt.

The plan is for Bock to play outside linebacker for the Jackrabbits.

“I love playing defense and that’s where I want to play,” Bock said. “I am excited to play there for them.”

Flansburg signed with Iowa State after committing to the Cyclones last April.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Flansburg is a three-star prospect by 247sports.

Flansburg made 88.5 tackles the past two seasons including 46.5 this past fall.

An imposing force at middle linebacker Flansburg had eight tackles for loss and three sacks the past two seasons and also had three interceptions and scored 14 touchdowns on offense.

“It’s good to have it all over,” Flansburg said. “It’s good to have all the recruiting stuff done and just be able to play football.”

After committing to Iowa State last spring Flansburg attended several games this fall where he spent time getting to know coaches and fellow recruits.

He got the chance to spend time with a large group of the Cyclones’ signees on his official visit earlier this month.

“It was great just to get a feel for the guys you are going to be playing with,” Flansburg said. “They are all good guys in general so I am excited for that.”

Flansburg made headlines as a linebacker in college but the Iowa State coaching staff likes his versatility and his ability to play the hybrid fullback spot on offense.

“I just had a good feel there about how they saw me fitting in,” Flansburg said. “I felt comfortable there right away.”