Solon’s L.E.G.I.T. team motto leads to Class 3A state football semifinals

Solon football is a L.E.G.I.T contender.

The acronym encompasses exactly what the Spartans identified as necessary characteristics for success this season. Love, effort, growth, integrity and trust (L.E.G.I.T.) have become a driving force for a Solon’s ascent to No. 2 in the rankings with state title aspirations still intact with two weeks left to play.

“The guys loved it,” Solon Coach Lucas Stanton said of the theme created in the offseason by the team’s leadership council. “It’s more than words on a piece of paper or sticker we use. It’s more about living that out. This group has been good about it.”

Solon has been one of the best this season, reaching the state semifinals as the highest ranked team and the last unbeaten team in Class 3A. The Spartans face No. 8 Nevada Saturday night at UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

At least one more chance to demonstrate those traits highlighted in the spring.

“We've been talking about that the entire season and over the summer,” Solon junior Cody Milliman said. “Just using those values and that's kind of our standard for this season.”

The influential phrase was conceived during offseason meetings by a 20-player group. Stanton asked them what was needed to be successful this fall but not in terms of wins and losses. The Spartans listed many intangibles and settled on love, effort, growth and trust. Integrity was added for the creation of a catchy motto.

“It was a lengthy process,” Stanton said. “We just talked about what those results meant. We had a whiteboard full of words.”

The Spartans, who reached the semifinals in 2023 but failed to advance last season, didn’t waste time to apply it. It began to mold their mindset, sweating in the weight room, conditioning and running routes during the summer heat. They took it seriously.

“We created it during the spring and preached it throughout summer,” Solon senior linebacker and tight end Tripp Johnson said. “It just became a backbone for this team and if there are struggles then it’s what we come back to and lean on.”

Milliman recalled a football camp at Coe and how everyone seemed to be on the same page. The concepts generated cohesion.

“We push each other a lot and you're fighting for the guy next to you,” Milliman said. “We're all believing in and fighting for the same thing.”

Johnson added, “This brotherhood we have created allowed us to believe in each other while holding each other accountable to constantly improve and better ourselves.”

Some buzzwords ring hollow and credos can be meaningless. The Spartans transformed them into a glue that has strengthened their bond. In this instance, it has enhanced their camaraderie and unity, as well as their performance.

“Love for your teammates makes you just want to play your heart out and leave it all on the line for each other and that kind of ties in with maximum effort all the time,” Kampman said. “Growth is about how we don't want to get complacent in what we’ve already accomplished. We've had success but since we've determined our core values, we know that we’ve got to keep on growing and getting better.

“Integrity is just doing the little things. Trust your guys, knowing that all 11 people are going to do their job so that other people don't have to compensate for areas relaxing. That's what really helps us to play free and to play well. I believe it is a big, driving factor to where we are right now.”

Few teams have played as well as Solon. The Spartans have outscored their last seven opponents by a total of 315-20, including a 52-12 advantage over playoff foes. They advanced with a 21-6 victory over Winterset.

“I think everything's clicking,” Milliman said. “I think we're still going to keep getting better because we stack every day and keep growing.”

Nevada (9-2) is coming off one of the most notable wins in any class, knocking off top-ranked and previously unbeaten Clear Lake in the quarterfinals. Stanton said the Cubs have a methodical offense and a balanced defense. The keys will be capitalizing on scoring chances, taking care of the ball and forcing turnovers when possessions could be limited due to clock-controlling offenses.

“I think we just got to play to our standard,” Kampman said. “I don't believe that there's a football team in the state that can beat us when we are playing to our standard of Solon football.

“We have to focus on ourselves and finish up this week of preparation well and then just go play a game. It’s just another game but in a little bit nicer atmosphere.”

Solon has a L.E.G.I.T. chance to win.

CLASS 3A STATE SEMIFINAL

SOLON VS. NEVADA

When and where: 7 p.m. Saturday, at UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls

Records and rankings: No. 2 Solon is 11-0; No. 8 Nevada is 9-2

Overview: The Spartans are making their second semifinal appearance in three seasons and the program’s 18th overall. Solon beat Winterset, 21-6, to advance. Nevada reached the postseason for the ninth time in school history, advancing to the semifinals for the first time avenging a regular-season loss with a 24-14 win at No. 1 Clear Lake. This marks the first postseason meeting between the two teams. Solon is powered by the passing game. Eli Kampmann leads 3A with 34 total touchdowns and 28 through the air, including 14 to Maddox Kelley, 3A’s leader in TD catches. Kampmann is fourth with 2,104 yards, averaging 15.9 yards per completion and posting a 180.7 QB rating. Kelley has 45 receptions for 674 yards and Kaden Hoeper adds 657 yards and nine TDs on 39 catches. The Spartans are second in 3A, surrendering just eight points per game. They have stifled opponents’ offenses, allowing 20 total points in the last seven games with three shutouts. Solon hasn’t given up more than six points in a game since 28-21 win over Benton Community on Sept. 19. The Spartans and Cubs are tied for the 3A lead with 18 interceptions. Both teams have combined for 160 tackles for loss and 46 sacks. QB Drake Hinson has helped Nevada average 30 points per game, passing for 1,607 and 25 TDs. Hinson has rushed for 364 yards and four scores, while Austin Waldera leads the ground game with 991 yards and six TDs on 198 carries. Nevada receiver Gavin Egeland has 42 catches for 696 yards and seven TDs.

SATURDAY

Class 2A semifinals

#3 Osage (11-0) vs. #5 Van Meter (9-2), 10 a.m.

#1 Carroll Kuemper (11-0) vs. Wilton (9-2), 1 p.m.

Class 3A semifinals

#4 Sioux City Heelan (9-2) vs. #5 Dubuque Wahlert (9-2), 4 p.m.

#2 Solon (11-0) vs. #8 Nevada (9-2), 7 p.m.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com