Solon tops North Fayette for 40th straight win
CEDAR FALLS — After all these consecutive wins and state championships, maybe the secret is out as to why Solon football is so, so strong. The Spartans run a pyramid scheme.
It’s not what you think. Let head coach Kevin Miller explain the “Pyramid of Success.”
“Each week we have one word that represents one quality that we have to have to continue to climb to the apex of that pyramid,” Miller said after his top-ranked Spartans shellacked No. 2 North Fayette, 35-0, in a Class 2A playoff semifinal Monday morning at the UNI-Dome. “This is a group that you have to put different goals or obstacles in front of them, and then they seem to jump to that next level.”
So how many levels did the Spartans (13-0) jump Monday? They won their 40th straight by dominating a North Fayette club that was 12-0 coming in, including a win over Class 3A semifinalist New Hampton. Solon rolled to a 35-point first half to get the continuous clock rolling yet again.
James Morris had 217 yards rushing and four touchdowns, one passing. The runs included a 90-yarder in the first quarter and an 80-yarder in the second, both off shotgun option keeps. His TD pass was 71 yards to Dean Klosterman.
Then there was the Morris-led defense. It stopped a ground-oriented North Fayette offense averaging 408 rushing yards to a mere 72.
“They were just really fast,” said North Fayette’s Tanner Mork, who had 33 touchdowns coming in.
“What we focused on all week (in practice) was that whoever won the battle upfront would be (on top) at the end,” said Solon tackle Tyler Smith. “That’s usually the case for every game, in my mind.”
It was in this one. Solon held a stunning 418-88 yardage edge, including 353-63 in the first half.
“We wanted to kind of prove that our defense is capable of (stopping) whatever teams are going to throw at us,” Morris said. “We knew they were the No. 1 rushing team in the state, so we said ‘All right, this is the ultimate test. If we pass this test, I like where we’re at.”
That’s in the title game Saturday afternoon against Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (13-0). Not to mention another rung up the “Pyramid of Success.”
“What I am most proud of is that this group has not allowed all of the success, all the hype of the win streak to impact their performance,” Miller said. “They’ve stayed grounded. They’re not arrogant, egotystical type of individuals. They stay very focused, very grounded, and hopefully this week, they’ll continue to be that way.”
Sad day for the Hawks…you can still hold your heads up high. Thanks for a great season!!
That is the best 2A football team I’ve ever seen. They won in the semi’s against an undefeated team and looked like they were a 4A program beating a 2A program.
I think they would definitely win a 3A state title, win a lot of games in 4A, and maybe…
I would pay tremendous amounts of money to see a matchup between Solon and City High. Foregone conclusion that these two teams will be crowned champions.
Get real people.. Solon would not beat City High!!
Great game Solon!
As for Solon Vs City High, copy and paste this link. You may be shocked.
http://www.highschoolsports.net/defaultcal300×250.cfm?ct=matchup&schoolid=IA523338325&spt=4&lvl=-1&division=1&timeoffset=360
Remember that these figures are taken from the whole games stats and the Solon starters have made these stats by half time when the second team comes in. Which they should. If the starters played 4 quarters the figures would be even more tilted.
Remember City High has to beat Marshalltown first.
Marshalltown has emptied it’s miracle bag at this point in the season.
City is more focused than it has been in some time.
and Solon would give City as much as it would ever want to handle
I’d like to see Solon play Harlan. Long term tradition (91% winning percentage over the last 32 years – 2nd best in the USA) versus the new up-and-comer. Harlan’s won the 3A title 11 times and has 8 runner-ups. Most opponents have 1 or 2 great players, but Harlan has the total package year after year. Heelan’s not the same without Wegher and Solon will not be the same without Morris.
I don’t think that solon would beat City High, but I wouldn’t be surprised either. If you have seen both play you would have to agree. The advantage of course is that City High has dominated one of the toughest 4A schedules and Solon hasn’t seen any competition this year.
Why is everyone not even giving Boyden Hull Rock Valley a chance against Solon? Last I checked BHRV was also undefeated, has a very good passing attack and a stout defense. I know it would be a huge upset, but all I’m saying is the game still needs to be played and anyone can be defeated on any given day.
nighthawks
Have you seen solon play in person? My guess is no or you would not make that statement. It is not just one player or two players that make Solon great, it is the team. They are quick, every one of them, even the linemen. They all understand the game, the stunts, what their foes are trying to do to them. Maybe it is the “Hudl” program they are using that we just found out about. Every game this year and in years past there second, third and fourth team members get into play in the game. That is unbelievable. Most of the scores Solon have put up this year are all put there by half time. The other team scores in the scecond half. This team and I mean team, is something! I have no children playing and come to Solon from a 4A background. This team would stomp most 4A schools. I have seen City High play in person a few times this year as well as Solons games. I think Solon may take City if they were to play. Solon is Great. RV better hold on…………….
By the way from my earlier post on the Massey Rating shows:
Solon 37 IC City High 17
Solon 33 Rock Valley 21
I don’t think either IC or RV would score that many. Let the Solon Starters play the whole game and see what we get.
If I watched Solon play or practice without knowing their class, then had someone ask me if a 2A school could compete with them, I’d probably laugh out loud.
I have seen Solon play and I never said they were not a good team, they are. Apparently you have never seen the Nighthawks play though. From what you and everyone else is saying, it’s makes no sens for the Nighthawks to even show up. They should just forfeit the game and not even play, lol. Yes, Solon is talented, but so are the Nighthawks and don’t be surprised to see one hell of a game. It’s kind of disrespectful to all the hard work Boyden Hull Rock Valley has put in to not even give them a chance. I guarantee you there are some young men from Northwest Iowa who are coming to the dome Saturday and they are going to give Solon everything they have.
Remember when Central Lyon played Solon and beat them for the state title I think it was 3 years ago, I may be wrong on the years, but they are from NW IA also and just because no one has ever heard of us, doesn’t make us a less formidable opponent. Thankfully the game still has to be played and the outcome is decided on the field and not on a message board.
I respect all kids who play sports, and in fact I lived in NW Iowa for a few years, just south of you not far, but as I stated before,
Hold on……
Now here’s two of us from a NW Iowa past. I damn near lived in Rock Valley if the parsonage wouldn’t have been in the country. Rock Valley
and Bowden Hull both have strong football history’s and the combining of the two programs should prove a juggernaut. and once again, if they were playing any other year’s 2A power, I’d say the game is a push, but this group of seniors on Solons squad coupled with their coaching staff…………..
Have you seen how BHRV can spread the field and their passing attack. I have no doubt Morris is going to raise cain on the ground and we will have to figure out how to slow him down. But Solon also has to figure out how to stop (2) 6′9″ receivers that have great hands and are very physical. BHRV sets up their running game with the pass, Solon sets up their passing game with the run. Morris is going to get his yards, but if BHRV can prevent the big play and not let Solon drop 21 to 28 points on them in the 1st half and keep it within a TD or 2 going in to the 2nd half, this could be a very good game.
Yes Central Lyon won three years ago. Two years ago against the same team it was 24-7 Solon. And you must have missed last years game against Central Lyon. As you are probably aware that was a senior dominated Central Lyon. Final score—Solon 60 Central Lyon 14.
Solon has now gone running clock 14 straight games, won 40 straight (only 5 teams have ever won more in Iowa history), defeated (based on various polls) the number 5, 3, and 2 teams in the state. BHRV is number 2 or 3 depending on which poll you check out. Solon has outscored opponents 605-78. BHRV has outscored their opponents 506-112. And it not just Morris–it is Loveless, Sleeper, Klosterman, Ashton and others.
On Monday they held a team that had been averaging over 400 yards RUSHING to less than 90 yards TOTAL offense.
Yes, the game must be played–and it will be interesting to see how it goes.
No doubt BHRV is good–but this Solon team is special.
The Solon team is special in 2A! They wouldn’t come close to the numbers they are putting up against solid 4A competition.
BHRV likes to pass, but to pass must be able to get the ball off against Solon. BHRV’s QB will be sacked like he has never been sacked before.
I think this game will be alot closer than most people anticipate yes Solon is very special but BHRV has won of the best QBs i have ever seen in 2A. I feel that solon will probably win but look forward to a great game!
It’s obvious there are Solon and BHRV fans both on here and there is a lot of passion. I have a gut feeling what the outcome is going to be, but I also know the heart and determination of BHRV and I have seen a lot of their games this year and the competition they have faced this year. They came from a tough conference and all I am saying to Solon is, don’t count your championships until the game is over. Just because you haven’t seen BHRV play this year and just because you have an amazingly talented player going to IU on a scholarship, doesn’t automatically mean the game has already been decided. I have no doubt Solon is the favorite, I prefer it that way. And I’ve read how your team is so good that your starters don’t need to play the entire game.
I can appreciate a good team, I can’t appreciate cockiness and that’s what I’m reading from a lot of people in here. Just remember this saying “All good things must come to an end”. It may come to an end for BHRV and if it does, we lose with dignity and sportsmanship, but we will have lost knowing we gave Solon everything we had and we will walk away with our heads held high. And if we win, we will win in the same manner. I am done commenting on this and good luck to Solon and may the best team win.
Many people may not know this but read this article. This shows class.
http://www.westlibertyindex.com/article.php?viewID=2935
That’s the first I had heard this story. ESPN had a story two weeks ago about a similar situation that turned sour when ugly online comments started coming out. It is just further evidence of the extreme good fortune Solon has in having a Kevin Miller as head coach.
The good things will come to an end, that is certain.
It just isn’t going to happen this season.
oh, and by the way, the over confidence and arrogance displayed in support of the Spartans is only coming from their fans, living vicariously thru the actions of their children and those children’s
teammates. It is in no way reflected by the team and it’s coaching staff.
which is the best part of all.
JOMAMA said:
That’s the first I had heard this story. ESPN had a story two weeks ago about a similar situation that turned sour when ugly online comments started coming out. It is just further evidence of the extreme good fortune Solon has in having a Kevin Miller as head coach.
The good things will come to an end, that is certain.
It just isn’t going to happen this season.
Thank you for proving my point about being cocky and arrogant. Your last line pretty much tells me all I need to know about Solon fans. It appears you feel entitled to success and that has earned you the right to be cocky and arrogant.
Like I stated, I wish Solon the best and I hope they have a good game. I just know that BHRV is not going to that game thinking there is no reason for them to show up. They feel they have a very good chance. I have no idea who will win, but to say so arrogantly that the outcome of this is all but been decided is pretty sad. It tells me alot about you as a person. Good luck at the game.
Nighthawks there is no need to take a personal shot at other posters!
You can easily keep it focused on the battle between the two schools.
I see the Solon fans just standing behind their team. Cocky, yes, but that is ok. What do you want them to do chear for the other team. So the chear at the game on Sat goes something like this. “go both teams, go both teams”.
Iowa fans are the same about their hawks, ISU fans the same about the clones. City High the same about the Little Hawks. Nihgthawk the same about her team.
This article is about the Spartans, when nighthawk gets on here and starts a post about RV, what does she expect?
The Spartans will not win one day, that is for sure. I do not see it being this year, thats for sure, and they will be a very solid team next year as well. 49 straight wins will be within reach next year to tie the record. Who knows maybe even a 4 peat.
Hey, check this video out. TV9 must have read my post.
http://www.kcrg.com/sports/70407492.html
Way to go Solon.
The record is 56 unbeaten (55 wins) held by Waterloo East from 65-71. The state website lists it this way Waterloo East (next to last game in 1965 (tie); last game of 1965 thru 1971: 56 without a loss; 55 all wins).
Harlan is second with 49 from 2003 first game through the quarters in 06.
Harlan in the winningest team since 1972 and Solon is #9 on that list.
The rumor is that we are going to end up 3A next year. That could impact the streak in someway.
This is a partial article written by Shelby for Iowa Classic Sports.
“The 2A title game will be Solon vs. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley. We have written a lot about Solon and followed them closely for a long time. Mainly because coach Kevin Miller is our friend, but he has a fascinating group of young men who really buy into what the staff is preaching. These seniors from Solon have won and won and won. That has been well documented. How they have done it is what is interesting. To be honest, this year I don’t think the 2A field is nearly as impressive as it has been. This cannot be looked at as an excuse for what Solon has done. They are miles ahead of the competition, and probably could do very well in 3A. They have not suffered from the lack of competition or had letdowns. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley will be the best team Solon has faced this year, but I see a wide margin of talent between them. Maybe not even talent so much as execution, fundamentals and attitude. Solon has probably put together the nicest run of dominating their competition of any school we have seen in quite some time. This will be their fourth Final in a row and, if they win, their third consecutive crown. Only Decorah and Harlan, who we will get to later, can talk about winning like that. To do it, they will need to get pressure on the BH/RV QB, keeping him from utilizing the twin towers, Jordan Dykstra and Marcus Heemstra. They may not be the statistical leaders, but they are the X factor in this UNI-Dome matchup. Solon has speed and they hit hard. Something that could negate the 6’ 8” and 6’ 9” receiving weapons. While we are talking about Solon, let’s take a minute to appreciate James Morris. He gets all the pub, but this team could be here even without him. WITH him, however, they are hell on wheels. He has put up career numbers that land him on all-time lists, yet I never even thought about that. He plays LB as well as you need to in high school, yet I never thought to compare him to others. He will go to Iowa to be a Hawkeye for Kirk Ferentz, yet I never stopped to imagine what that might be like. He is a rare player that just demands your attention and continues to impress. ICS was drawn to him early, and thanks to the successful UNI-Dome run Solon has put together, we have watched him play more than we normally would have been allowed. Coaches would love to have players like James, so Kevin Miller has been blessed in that regard. But it just boils down to the fact that he is a good kid who plays hard and is extremely talented. We do not have an actual ‘Wall of Fame’ at the ICS Headquarters, but if we did, there would definitely be a shiny new banner going up after Saturday with a black and orange #28. Solon has a chance to make history Saturday, but the good thing is that win or lose, they will be the same on Sunday, no matter what”.
Solon can only be moved up to 3A if they have the student population to do so. It may still be a few years. They already play a few 3A teams and haven’t lost to them.
BTW Solon JV hasn’t lost for a couple of years either. Solon’s run is not entirely James Morris, though having him doesn’t hurt.
Well we only missed 3A by about 5 students. So depending on how big this years 8th grade class is–we could hit it next year. If we don’t get it next year then we are safe for 2 more years as I understand the way they do classification.
JV and Jake Morris, Humm……………????
Definately 3A by the time the 8th grade and 6th grade classes are in high school. They are the two biggest classes in the school. But I understand that several members of the freshman class this year transferred out. Who knows.
This is similar to the BCS bust that occurs in College football yearly.
You have Solon which is similar to a Boise State, and City which is similar to a powerful SEC team.
No one is saying Solon isn’t good, but if you compare the schedules and conference play (Just as a Boise State team) to an undefeated City High team (Similar to an Alabama or LSU), it just doesn’t compare.
9
Not saying Solon couldn’t hang, but in the long run, they aren’t built to take out a team of City’s caliber with them(City High)having just run the table on a tough 4A schedule.
Yeah and Utah played a “weaker schedule” last year and how did they fair against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last year? You never know ’til it’s settled on the field. Hope Jazz325, Nighthawks and guests to join the orange river flowing north this morning and bear witness to what the Spartans are capable of.
Leave your response!
Media
Tags
Archives
Recent Posts
Most Commented