Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Solon

Head coach: Lucas Stanton (6^th season, 44-12)

Assistant coaches: Mark Sovers; Noah Sigwarth; Bryce Pierce; Matt Haddy; Rory Siddell; Marcus Schnoor; Pat Swancutt; Parker Eichenberger; Dan Coons; Tory Hackert; Jerrod Hilton; Frank Haege; Aaron Kampman

Last season: 8-3 (Class 3A second round)

Returning starters: Lucas Feuerbach, Jr., OL/DL; Eli Kampman, Sr., QB/DB; Kyler Jensen, Sr., LB/OL; Tripp Johnson, Sr., LB/H; Cody Milliman, Jr., WR/OLB; Maddox Kelley, Jr., WR/DB; Teague Williams, Sr., H/LB

Other returning letterwinners: Ethan Ulch, Sr., WR/DB; Colby Myers, Sr., OL/DL; Dylan Branscomb, Sr., OL/DL; Westley Rohrig, Sr., OL/DL; Kade Hoeper, Jr., WR/DB; Bradyn Schnoor, Jr., OL/DL; James Thomsen, Jr., DE/H; Simon Einwalter, Jr., OL/DL; Will Brandt, Sr., WR/DB; Brady White, Sr., RB/OLB; Einar Stecher, Sr., RB/OLB

Newcomers to watch: Grant Gordon, Jr., WR/DB; Sawyer Hansel, Jr., OLB/H

Playoff history: 35 appearances (1984-1988, 1990-1995, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005-2024) Solon won 2A state titles in 1988, 2007, 2008 and 2009 an won a 3A title in 2010.

District: Class 3A, District 4 (Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Washington).

District favorite: Solon is a heavy favorite to run the table in District 4 with Washington (6-3) the only other district team with a winning record last season the top challenger to a Spartan title.

Circle the date: September 12 against Mount Vernon. The Spartans will be seeking a third consecutive win over Highway 1 rival Mount Vernon after a 7-6 victory over the Mustangs last season in Solon.

Headliner: Junior Lucas Feuerbach (6-2, 260) has emerged as one of the top two-way linemen in the state and is coming off a stellar sophomore season that saw him earn second team Class 3A all-state honors. A dominant force on both sides of the ball Feuerbach ranked sixth on the team with 28.5 tackles last season including five tackles for loss and a sack.

Ready for a breakthrough: Junior Kade Hoeper (6-2, 180) showed flashes of brilliance in limited action last season and is a player capable of making a huge impact on both sides of the ball in an expanded role this season. An impressive athlete, Hoeper caught five passes for 55 yards and had seven tackles and an interception last season.

Unsung hero: Lineman are often overlooked but another season like the one that Colby Myers (6-0, 215) had last season will make it tough for the senior two-way starter to not be noticed. Myers was an impact player on both lines last season and will look to build on the 27.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks he had a year ago.

Keep an eye on: Defense will once again be the call card for the Spartans (more on that below) and senior linebacker Tripp Johnson (6-1, 205) will be a lynch pin in another strong Spartan front seven. Johnson ranked third on the team with 42 tackles last season including 4.5 for loss and should be in for a big senior season.

Remember the name: Junior Cody Milliman (6-1, 195) flashed last season and has all the makings of a two-way standout for the Spartans this fall. A year ago Milliman had 24 tackles with 3.5 for loss and an interception from his outside linebacker spot and also caught eight passes for 94 yards and should be a big part of the game plan for the Spartans on both sides of the ball this season.

Biggest strength: As has often been the case over the last decade plus the defense should be the strength for a Solon squad seeking a fifth consecutive season with at least eight wins. Seven of the top nine tacklers, including the top three tacklers led by senior linebacker Kyler Jensen (6-0, 225), return from a Solon defense that allowed 277 total yards and 16.9 points per game last season.

Biggest question: How deep can the Spartans go this season? The schedule sets up well, the defense should be excellent and offensive playmakers return. After a quarterfinal loss last season the question is can the Spartans make a UNI-Dome return in Class 3A this fall.

Quotable: “We have one goal in mind and that’s a state championship at the end of the season,” Solon senior Eli Kampman said. “Even if we are ranked high we have an eat off the floor mentality and we are grinding for everything.”

2025 Schedule

Date/Opponent/Record in 2024

August 29: Davenport Assumption (4-6)

September 5: at Williamsburg (7-3)

September 12: Mount Vernon (10-2)

September 19: at Benton Community (7-3)

September 26: at Fairfield (2-7)

October 3: Keokuk (3-6)

October 10: Washington (6-3)

October 17: at Mount Pleasant (4-5)

October 24: at Fort Madison (0-9)

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