Iowa high school football rewind: Solon’s Eddie Johnson continues fast start with 5-touchdown game

SOLON — Eddie Johnson’s early success has surprised no one within the Solon football program.

The Spartans’ senior tailback – tasked with shouldering more of the run game workload following the transfer of 2023 leading rusher Conlan Poynton – has plowed through the opposition through the first two games of this season.

Johnson’s five-touchdown game in Solon’s 42-14 win at Clear Creek Amana Friday night not only served notice that he has fully embraced his added responsibilities, it might vault the Spartans to No. 1 in Class 3A.

“It's what we expected out of him,” fifth-year Solon Coach Lucas Stanton said. “He's a workhorse. He just plays so hard. He's a football player. He loves the game. We could put him just about anywhere on the field and he's going to give us that level of production and effort. He's one of the most underrated players on this side of the state.”

Against CCA, Johnson ran for 138 yards and four touchdowns. He also posted two receptions for 28 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown from senior quarterback Ty Bell. Through two games, Johnson has 258 rushing yards, 313 all-purpose yards and six total touchdowns.

All are near the top in 3A.

“Just a phenomenal football player, but an even better person,” Stanton said. “It's great when you see great kids and great people have success like he's having so far. He would be the first one to tell you, though, that he doesn't get that without his teammates’ help and blocking and the work that they put into it.”

While Bell and Johnson spearhead Solon’s offensive attack, the defensive side of the ball has undergone a tremendous overhaul. Senior all-state linebacker Cole Carney is the lone returning starter from last season for the Spartans, who have allowed 21 total points through two games.

“We just play and always echo and preach team defense,” Stanton said. “We want all 11 guys to do their job. We don’t do anything fancy on ‘D.’ It’s kind of different than what you see some of these other teams doing with all their odd fronts and blitzing guys all over the place, which is great. It’s not us. It’s been nice just to see our guys step right in and be ‘next guy in.’”

Solon (2-0) entered Week 2 ranked No. 2 in 3A. With No. 1 Williamsburg’s narrow home loss to 4A No. 7 Cedar Rapids Xavier, the Spartans could find themselves atop The Gazette’s poll when the new rankings are released Monday.

“I’ve been saying the same thing even with the No. 2 ranking,” Stanton said. “You’ve got to earn it.”

Another 2-0 start for Cedar Rapids Jefferson

After Friday night’s 28-7 win at Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids Jefferson is 2-0 for the second-straight season. Last year, the J-Hawks rebounded from three winless seasons in a row with victories in the first four games of what became a 4-5 campaign.

Next up for Jefferson is a trip to Des Moines North (0-2), a team it routed 41-8 in 2023.

More upheaval atop Class 5A

No. 1 in 5A went down. Again.

No. 2 West Des Moines Dowling’s 26-23 overtime win over No. 1 West Des Moines Valley should introduce a new team to the top of the 5A rankings for the third week in a row. Valley ascended after preseason 5A No. 1 Ankeny dropped its opening game to then-unranked Ankeny Centennial.

Every score: The Gazette’s Week 2 Iowa high school football roundup

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