Defense and special teams gets the Spartans to the UNI-Dome

SOLON — The offense wasn't firing on all cylinders for No. 2 Solon on Friday in a 21-6 Class 3A quarterfinal win over Winterset at Spartan Stadium.

That's OK. Defense and special teams got the Spartans to the UNI-Dome.

"We got away with a 'W,' that's all that matters," Solon senior quarterback Eli Kampman said. "As long as we win, it doesn't matter how we do it."

Solon intercepted the ball four times, including a 50-yard pick-six by Maddox Kelley.

The Spartans also blocked two punts, including one by James Thompson that was recovered in the end zone by Simon Einwalter.

"It is not always about big plays and touchdowns, it's about grit, and who has the bigger heart and who wants it more," Einwalter said.

The Huskies outgained the Spartans 212 yards to 181, but only reached the red zone once, scoring a third-quarter touchdown after a successful onside kick try to start the second half.

Solon got the pick-six, then the blocked kick in the first quarter, and went up 21-0 after completing a 13-play, 79-yard drive at the start of the second quarter. Kampman connected with Kelley on an 11-yard score on third-and-goal.

"Defense wins championships," Kampman said. "And our defense is elite. They make my job easy."

Kampman finished with 86 yards on 10-of-18 passing with two interceptions. He also ran for 42 yards on 22 carries.

"Y'know, the wind really affected our passing game," Solon Coach Lucas Stanton said. "But we found a way to win, and that's all that matters at this time of year. We're moving on."

Solon (11-0) next plays No. 8 Nevada (9-2) at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15, inside the UNI-Dome. Solon is back in the Dome for the first time since 2023. The Spartans are chasing their sixth title, and first since 2010.

"It is exilerating going to the Dome," Einwalter said. "We've got to win one there, then win one more."

"This is the goal," Kampman said. "But we've still got two games ahead of us."

Solon 21, Winterset 6

W S

Winterset 0 0 6 0 — 6

Solon 14 7 0 0 — 21

S — Maddox Kelley 50-yard interception return (Ryan Locke kick).

S — Simon Einwalter 0-yard punt block fumble recovery (Locke kick).

S — Kelley 11-yard pass from Eli Kampman (Locke kick).

W — Wyatt Swanson 10-yard run (kick failed).

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Rushing — Winterset: Ben Porter 14-36, Wyatt Swanson 11-33, Jace Bellamy 8-30, Daxon Weeks 1-17, Nathan Rivera 2-15, Carson Cook 4-(-16). Solon: Eli Kampman 22-42, Maddox Kelley 11-43, team 3-(-3).

Passing — Winterset: Carson Cook 8=21=96=4. Solon: Eli Kampman 10-18-86-2, Maddox Kelley 1-1-13-0.

Receiving — Winterset: Drake McDonald 2-34, Daxon Weeks 2-30, Wyatt Swanson 2-16, Jude Gurwell 2-16. Solon: Maddox Kelley 5-49, Kaden Hoeper 3-19, Cody Milliman 2-18, Grant Gordon 1-13.

Comments: ryan.suchomel@thegazette.com