Spartans’ goals never wavered, never changed

When the high school football season got started in August, one of the big questions concerned Solon.The three time defending Class 2A champions, owners of a 41-game winning streak, entered 2010 without two-time Gatorade Iowa High School player of the year James Morris and, due to enrollment increases, was moving up to Class 3A.Solon Coach Kevin Miller, in his 10th season at his alma mater, said the move up has been challenging, to say the least.“One thing we knew going in, that every week we would face a quality opponent,” he said. “A lot of these teams are bigger than we are, in terms of numbers. Where we may have 30 or 40 kids out for football, some of these schools have 40 or 50 on their roster.“Some of these teams can run in one quality player after another, or play a two platoon game. Here most of the guys play both ways. We have a tough time getting players out for a few plays to rest.”But as for preparation each week, Miller said little changed.“As far as the player development, and what we expect, nothing has changed,” he said. “That goes to conditioning, practice and the weight room. The players know what is needed and go and do it.”This new era in Spartan football has gone well. They ended the regular season with an 8-1 record and a Class 3A-District 6 title.That one loss, a Week 2 setback to 2A top-ranked Iowa City Regina, was not all bad.“We used the loss as teaching tool, to show us where we needed to improve, we needed to do some things better and I think we have, Miller said. “That was a great test for us, and it really helped us improve.”When it comes to improvement, Miller said, the secret is to see it daily.“Each day, we look to improve, be better than we were yesterday,” he said. “I think this year as the season has gone on, we have done that.”This Solon team has been led by its defensive unit.“Our offense has been getting better every week, but we still have a ways to go,” Miller said. “We switched players around in some positions they weren't used to. I think we are starting to hit a groove, but we need to get more consistent.”The Spartans received a blow when standout receiver Derrick Loveless broke his leg in Week 7.“He is making progress, and may be back if we advance in the playoffs,” Miller said.

By Jeff Hare, Correspondent