Solon reclaims district crown, wins 49-31

MAQUOKETA – After falling short a year ago, Solon is once again the class of the district.

Quarterback Jacob Black accounted for four total touchdowns as the Spartans overcame a 10-point deficit and downed Maquoketa, 49-31, to claim the Class 3A District 6 title Friday at Maquoketa.

The district crown is the third in four years for Solon (7-1, 5-0 Class 3A District 6).

'It feels great,' Black said. 'I had to fight through some adversity tonight but we stuck with it, everyone fought through it, and we won.'

Black, the senior offensive catalyst all season for Solon after transferring from Monticello, got the scoring started on the defensive end when he intercepted a Trent Bollman pass and returned it 34 yards for a 7-0 lead just three-and-a-half minutes into the game.

'I just read it like my read steps are supposed to be, and made a good play on the ball I guess,' Black said.

Black and co. mustered little offense early, but were jarred into action after an 83-yard punt return from Maquoketa's Benjamin Strathman put the Cardinals up 17-7 five-and-a-half minutes before halftime.

'We wanted the ball back and when we got it back, we just started rolling,' Black said.

Black and the Spartans answered with a five-play, 57-yard drive in two minutes to pull within 17-13 on a three-yard touchdown run by tailback Brandon Kramer. A fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff set the Spartans up at the Maquoketa 28, and six plays later Black rolled right and hit receiver Nathan Hawkins on a 4th-and-goal for a five-yard touchdown. Black's keeper on the two-point conversion put the Spartans up 21-17 with 2:19 remaining until halftime.

'Whenever we got the ball, we would keep pushing and fighting,' Black said.

Maquoketa chose to play it conservative on their next possession, a plan that backfired into a quick three-and-out. Solon took over and closed the half by covering 51 yards in four plays, capped by a 17-yard Black touchdown pass to Jordan Wymer with 18 ticks left for a 28-17 halftime lead.

Kramer raced 41 yards for a touchdown on Solon's first offensive play of the second half for the second of his three rushing touchdowns, the last of 28 unanswered points to make it 35-17.  Maquoketa got no closer than 11 the rest of the way.

Tailback Cohl Kueter rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns for Maquoketa (5-3, 4-1 District 6).  The Solon defense registered four sacks and intercepted two Bollman passes.

Solon ends the regular season next week at Benton before the playoffs begin Oct. 30.