Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Solon 

Head coach: Lucas Stanton (3^rd season, 18-4)

Assistant coaches: Joe Wilcox, Matt Vandeberg, Marcus Schnoor, Frank Haege, Matt Turner, JT Timmons, Dan Coons, Mark Sovers, Brad Wymer, Rory Siddell, Tanner Mueller, Aaron Kampman

Last season: 11-1 (Class 3A semifinals)

Returning starters: Blake Timmons, Sr., QB/DB; Sean Stahle, Sr., RB/DB; Brett White, Jr., RB/LB; Mac McCarty, Sr., RB/LB; Adam Smith, Sr., OL/DL; Oaken Foster, Sr., WR/DB; Austin Bell, Sr., TE/LB

Other returning letterwinners: Rhyse Wear, Sr., WR/FS; Mason Scott, Jr., OL/DL; Zeb Kleinsmith, Sr., OL/DL; Marcus Richard, Jr., OL/DL; Aiden Doyle, Sr., OL/DL; Ben Kampman, Jr., TE/DE; Joe Ebert, Sr., OL/DL; Ryan Rasmussen, Jr., WR/DB; Braydon Hoffman, Sr., OL/DL; Kaleb Behrends, Jr., OL/DL; Quinton Heineman, Sr., WR/DB

Newcomers to watch: Nash Kotar, Jr., WR/DB; Keenan Kruse, Jr., WR/LB; Zach Capper, Jr., RB/DB; Brayden Moore, Jr., RB/OLB; Gavin Sieverding, Jr., WR/DB; Carter Grimm, Jr., OL/DL; Austin Knight, Jr., WR/DB; Grant Wilson, Soph., OL/DL

Playoff history: 32 appearances (1984-1988, 1990-1995, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005-2021). Solon won 2A state titles in 1988, 2007, 2008, 2009 and won a 3A title in 2010.

District: Class 3A, District 5

District favorite: Solon returns as the undisputed favorite in 3A, District 5 after winning its five district games by an average of more than 40 points per game last season. Grinnell (6-4) a Class 3A state qualifier last season is the top contender.

Circle the date: September 2 against Mount Vernon. The Spartans host their northern Highway 1 rival seeking to extend its winning streak in the series to an even 20.

Headliner: Senior quarterback Blake Timmons is a three-year starter that has already accounted for more than 4,000 yards of total offense and 51 touchdowns. Timmons earned third-team Class 3A all-state honors last season after passing for 1,553 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 888 yards and 10 more scores.

Unsung hero: Senior lineman Adam Smith won’t get the press of some of his classmates like Timmons and senior tailback Sean Stahle but will be a key if the Spartans are to reach their potential this season. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Smith returns with starting experience to anchor a new-look Spartan offensive line.

Keep an eye on: Junior linebacker Brett White was an all-stater last fall in his first varsity season despite playing through an injury and should be even better as a junior. Look for White to take on a larger role in the Spartan offense too.

Biggest question: How will a restocked Solon line stack up? With Timmons, Stahle and White the Spartans have skill guys the question for Solon is up front where the Spartans must replace several senior starters led by all-stater Gage Marty. Few teams restock, especially up front, the way the Spartans do and there is talent in the system but getting solid play up front on both sides will be a priority.

Quotable: “I would say it’s been a highly-motivated team,” Stanton said. “This summer proved that with a lot of the work that the guys put in. The summer was really impressive with a lot of our guys and they feel like there is some unfinished business but they know just like last year we have to take care of a lot of things before that but that is the ultimate goal.”

2022 Schedule

August 26: at West Liberty

September 2: Mount Vernon

September: 9: at Williamsburg

September 16: Davenport Assumption

September 23: at West Burlington/Notre Dame*

September 30: Washington*

October 7: at Fairfield*

October 14: Grinnell*

October 21: at Keokuk*

*– District Game

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