3A No. 4 Solon football 'in control of everything' in homecoming rout of Washington

SOLON — The Solon football team has a slogan among its players.

'In control of everything.'

With quick stops on defense and short fields for their offense, the Class 3A fourth-ranked Spartans more than lived up to the motto at their homecoming game at Spartan Stadium.

Solon tailback Adam Bock ran for two touchdowns, junior receiver A.J. Coons caught two scores and the Spartans' defense forced three first-half turnovers in a 37-14 whitewash of Washington (Iowa) in a District 6 game on Friday night.

'We played great defense once again,' Solon Coach Kevin Miller said. 'Got some great special-team plays with some returns, as well. Defensively, we're getting better. Offensively, we still have some things to work on.'

Solon (6-0, 2-0 District 6) began its first seven offensive drives in Washington territory. After junior quarterback Cam Miller opened the scoring with a 1-yard TD with 4:54 left in the first quarter, the Solon defense forced three turnovers and surrendered just 14 non-penalty yards over the next five Washington offensive possessions.

'It makes it so much easier,' Coons said. 'When the defense is able to make big plays and create turnovers, it takes so much of the pressure off of our offense to put up points.'

A fumble recovery by Solon junior Brady Stotler led to a 14-yard TD run by Bock. On the final play of the first quarter, Solon senior Jackson Pipolo recovered another fumble at Demon 18-yard-line. Bock ran it in on the very next play and the Spartans were up, 23-0.

In control of everything.

'We were just keeping them off balance,' said Bock, who ran for 96 yards. 'Trying to throw stuff at them that they had not seen on film. That's what we did all night and it worked.'

An interception by Solon senior Aidan Dall was sandwiched between TD tosses of 11 and 29 yards from Miller to the 6-foot-3 Coons, who finished with five receptions for 62 yards.

By halftime, the Solon lead was 37-0.

Quarterback Luke Turner threw two late TD passes for Washington (3-3, 1-1).

Solon will host Mount Pleasant next Friday, while Washington entertains Fort Madison.

AT SOLON

Class 3A No. 4 Solon 37, Washington (Iowa) 14

Washington (Iowa) 0 0 0 14—14

Solon 17 20 0 0—37

SOL —

 Cam Miller 1 run (Cael O'Neil kick)

SOL —

 Adam Bock 14 run (Cael O'Neil kick)

SOL —

 FG Cael O'Neil 29

SOL —

 Adam Bock 18 run (kick failed)

SOL —

 AJ Coons 11 pass from Cam Miller (Aidan Dall kick)

SOL —

 AJ Coons 29 pass from Cam Miller (Aidan Dall kick)

WAS —

 Cade Hennigan 13 pass from Luke Turner (Logan Escher kick)

WAS —

 Ethan Hunt 30 pass from Luke Turner (Logan Escher kick)

RUSHING — Washington (Iowa): Luke Turner 10-56, Tristin Westphal-Edwards 11-20, Garrett Ikerd 1-3, Ayden Frazer 1-(-2), Jarrett Bender 1-(-1); Solon:

 Adam Bock 11-96, Hunter Kula 8-54, Cam Miller 6-21, Bo Janssen 3-(-7), Coal Flansburg 1-35, Thomas Brandt 4-4, Dillon Holt 1-2.

PASSING — Washington (Iowa): Luke Turner 7-15-1-143; Solon:

 Cam Miller 7-20-1-96, Bo Janssen 0-0-0-0.

RECEIVING — Washington (Iowa): Cade Hennigan 1-13, Ethan Hunt 4-109, Kolton Hinrichsen 2-21; Solon:

AJ Coons 5-62, Dillon Holt 1-19, Hunter Kula 1-15.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com