Solon defense stymies Marion

SOLON - Kevin Miller has credited Solon's defense for a lot of victories during his career.

Add another to that list.

Brandon Kramer ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns in his return from injury in Solon's 21-7 win over Marion last night in a Class 3A high school football game at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans (3-1, 1-1 District 4) didn't surrender a first down until the third quarter and held Marion scoreless until the final minutes.

'I thought we were pretty stout against a team that comes right at you,” Miller said. 'I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage for the most part and we contained a pretty good running game.”

Marion (1-3, 0-2) was led by running back Kory Walsh's 113 yards and touchdown.

Kramer returned after missing last week with a minor right knee sprain. The senior's 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter ended a combined string of eight possessions that ended in a punt or turning the ball over on downs to open the game.

Kramer added a 6-yard score in the third quarter after Solon started in great field position off Connor Ham's blocked punt.

'We had one of the best weeks of practice we've ever had,” Kramer said.

'We came out with the attitude that we were going to come out and get this win.”

The Indians gained 69 of their 201 yards on their final possession, capped by Walsh's 4-yard.

Two players were ejected in separate incidents in the first half.

Solon lineman Ben Lilleoden was tossed for throwing a punch after a play in the first quarter.

Marion center Preston Murphy was ejected after throwing a punch during a play in the second quarter.

Both have to sit out next week.

The Indians lost two other linemen to injuries in the game, leaving them with only five on the roster for their game next week against DeWitt Central.

'We played as hard as we possibly could,” Marion Coach Tony Perkins said.

'The biggest thing we have to do is stop beating ourselves.”