Class 3A No. 4 Solon dominant against Western Dubuque

EPWORTH — Headed into this season, there were real questions about what the Solon football team was going to do to replace the multi-tool offensive threat Jacob Black.

Eight games later, the Class 3A No. 4 Spartans (7-1, 4-1) have given Eastern Iowa an emphatic answer in the combination of senior running back Brandon Kramer and junior quarterback Brandan Childs, who spearheaded a 55-26 domination of Western Dubuque last night.

'We lost a lot of key performers, there's no doubt about it, but these guys have really stepped in and they've bought into the process,' Coach Kevin Miller said. 'We challenged them a week ago to take their leadership to another level, and I think that was evident tonight by the manner in which they played.'

Was it ever.

Solon had a 35-0 lead at halftime after getting scores in all three phases of play. Childs, who only played the first half, had two rushing touchdowns (seven carries, 51 yards) and a 46-yard touchdown pass to senior Trevor Yahr. Kramer had a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown. Sophomore Bo Black had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown and added a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the second half.

It was a dominating effort on both sides of the ball with all the starters in, amassing 303 yards of total offense in the first half while surrendering only 71.

Ever the mindful coach, though, Miller said he wished it had been that dominant all the way through, as the Bobcats (5-3, 4-1) got in the endzone four times in the second half.

'I thought the first half we played exceptionally well, and I thought the second half we were inconsistent, but we did some good things,' Miller said. 'But boy, the first half I though we executed in all phases of the game.

'We want to win every play, and if we can do that we're going to put ourselves in good position to win. This group has improved a lot, but we still have some improving to do. We need to put four full quarters together. If we can play like we did in the first half and replicate that performance, I think we'll be there.'

Kramer finished the game with 17 carries for 165 yards. He had at least three runs in which two or more Western Dubuque defenders got a hand on him, but was able to spin away or fight forward for a big gain. Those three runs went for 58, 23 and 31 yards, setting up Spartan touchdowns each time.

The senior was a big part of the team's success a year ago (1,175 yards, eight touchdowns on the ground), and has carried that over to this season. His contributions have been important, and didn't pause in wondering which parts he's enjoyed the most, offense or special teams.

'Either way works, but I'll take the kick return because those don't come very often,' Kramer said. 'The line makes great blocks, and I just read them. I just go and run and try not to go down. Nothing special, I just run. That's it.'

For Childs, stepping into Jacob Black's role from a year ago may have been daunting, but he said knowing who he had on the field with him took the pressure away.

He said he's proud of how the group he came up with has stepped into their new roles.

'I've known (this group) from growing up, and I knew we'd pull together as a team and be successful this year,' Childs said. 'We really bonded this year as a team, and I think we're put together pretty good as a team. We're strong as a unit.'

On to the final week of the regular season tied atop the District 4 standings with Western Dubuque and Cedar Rapids Xavier (5-3, 4-1), the Spartans are peaking at the right time with the chance at a district title share on the horizon, Miller said.

And not to mention having a little fun along the way.

'I had a lot of fun, no doubt about it, to see them grow in the manner in which they have. It's certainly rewarding from a coach's standpoint,' Miller said. 'But we're never going to settle. That's not how we do things at Solon. We're just going to stay focused and concentrate on getting better.'

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