Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Solon

Head coach: Kevin Miller (19th season, 176-32)

Assistant coaches: Brent Sands, Mark Sovers, Brad Wymer, Chris Croy, Aaron Hadenfeldt, Aaron Kampman, Curt Miller, Bryan Woods, Alex Harmer

Last season: 9-1 (Class 3A First Round)

Returning starters: AJ Coons, Sr., WR/FS; Cam Miller, Sr., QB; Michael Broghammer, Sr., OT/DT; Seamus Poynton, Sr., WR/LB; Joe Stahle, Sr., WR; Thomas Brandt, Sr., DB; Jax Flynn, Sr., OLB; Cael O’Neil, Sr., K.

Other returning letterwinners: Nolan Pattison, Sr., OL/DL; Miles Fuller, Sr., OL/LB; Trey Stebral, Sr., WR/DB; True Eidahl, Sr., WR/DB; Luke Haganman, Sr., WR/DB; Brady Stotler, Sr., OL/DE; Hayes Diersen, Sr., OL/DE; Cole Arduser, Sr., WR/DB; Nathan Steffens, Sr., WR/DB; Mat Rehnke, Sr., WR/DB; Tyler Locker, Sr., OL/DE; Sully Steen, Sr., OL/DL.

Newcomers to watch: Jace Andregg, Sr., WR/RB/LB; Lucas TePoel, Jr., RB/LB; Jackson Ryan, Jr., RB/S; Colton Hoffman, Jr., WR/LB; Erich Karsten, Jr., OL/DL; Nash Altman, Jr., OL/DL; Jackson Clevenger, Jr., OL/DE; Carson Shive, Jr., OL/LB

Playoff history: 29 appearances (1984-1988, 1990-1995, 1999, 2000, 2002-2003, 2005-2018). Solon won state titles in 1988, 2007, 2008, 2009 (2A) and 2010 (3A).

District: Class 3A, District 6

District favorites: Solon is a heavy favorite to win the district 6 title for the second consecutive year after going 5-0 with an average margin of victory of 33.2 against district competition last season.

Circle the date: September 6 vs. West Liberty. Solon needed a late touchdown to escape with a 7-0 overtime win in West Liberty last season. The Spartans host a West Liberty team coming off a 2A semifinal run in week two.   

Headliner: Senior quarterback Cam Miller enters his third year as a starter after leading Solon to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and a 20-2 record over the past two years. A North Dakota State commit, Miller threw for 1,627 yards and 26 touchdowns last season.

Unsung hero: Expect senior Seamus Poynton to do a little bit of everything this season. Poynton rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns, had 12 receptions for 207 yards and two scores and returned punts and kickoffs last season.

Keep an eye on: Senior Jace Andregg will provide another weapon for the Spartans after transferring from Cedar Rapids Prairie where he averaged 10.3 yards on 42 touches last season. Andregg caught nine passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 33 times for 290 yards and three scores for the Hawks last season.

Biggest question: How will the Spartans stack up in the trenches? Solon must reload up front after being hit hard by graduation on the offensive and defensive lines. The Spartans have a big piece to build around in 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior Michael Broghammer and if Solon can get up to speed quickly at the line of scrimmage it could lead to big things.

Quotable: “I think it’s a mental thing, we have to get tougher mentally,” Solon coach Kevin Miller said. “We have to expect and demand more of ourselves individually and collectively as a team and if we do I think this team has some ingredients to do pretty good things.”

2019 Schedule

Aug. 30: @Mount Vernon

Sept. 6: West Liberty

Sept. 13: @Marion

Sept. 20: Davenport Assumption

Sept. 27: Fort Madison*

Oct. 4: @Washington*

Oct. 11: @Mount Pleasant*

Oct. 18: Keokuk*

Oct. 25: @Fairfield*

*-District Game

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