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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Payback time
CEDAR FALLS — Williamsburg’s football team avenged its only loss this season, beating Solon 45-14 in Saturday’s Class 3A state semifinals at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.
The Spartans had defeated the Raiders 17-14 during week seven of the regular season, but the rematch of the No. 2 and 3 teams on a bigger stage belonged to Williamsburg.
Junior Rayce Heitman and seniors Braylon Wetjen and Derek Weisskopf were part of an impressive passing attack that gave Solon’s defensive secondary fits all night.
Weisskopf completed 12 of 19 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns — including two each to Heitman, who totaled six catches for 165 yards, and Wetjen, who had four catches for 158 yards.
Heitman also ran for a one-yard touchdown. Cael Moore returned a Spartan fumble 52 yards for a score, and Logan Rethwisch made one of two field goals and six of six PAT kicks.
Eight Solon turnovers — five interceptions and three fumbles — helped the Raiders’ cause as they improved their record to 11-1. The Raiders will play Sioux City Heelan (11-1) for the 3A state championship Friday at 1 p.m. in the UNI Dome.
It is Williamsburg’s second straight appearance in a state final, and fourth overall. The Raiders lost last year’s 2A championship game to Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, 10-6. The Spartans finished the year 10-2.
Williamsburg led 7-0 after one quarter, putting together a 7-play, 55-yard scoring drive on their second offensive possession, capped by Heitman’s one-yard TD run.
The score was set up by Weisskopf’s 36-yard bomb to Heitman at the Solon 3-yard line.
The Raiders struck again in the opening minute of the second period when Weisskopf delivered a perfect throw to Wetjen, who had slipped behind a Solon defender for a 68-yard touchdown, making it 14-0
A couple Spartan turnovers in the final six minutes of the first half led to Williamsburg points and a 24-0 halftime advantage.
The first turnover, a Micah Lang fumble recovery, gave the Raiders the ball at the Solon 37-yard line.
Three plays later, Weisskopf hooked up with Heitman for a 19-yard touchdown. Weisskopf pump-faked on Heitman’s double move and Heitman managed to go up, catch the ball and get both feet down in bounds.
Turnover No. 2 gave the Raiders the ball back near midfield with under a minute left. A 41-yard pass from Weisskopf to John Eichhorn moved the ball inside the Solon 10, where Rethwisch kicked a 26-yard field goal.
Weisskopf found Heitman open again to begin the third period for an 18-yard touchdown, making it 31-0.
Solon finally got on the board, turning a Williamsburg fumble into a score, but the Raiders responded with a 75-yard bomb from Weisskopf to Wetjen.
Moore’s 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown sealed Williamsburg’s fifth straight win.
Heitman was a human highlight show, making several sensational catches and spearheading the Raiders’ defense with 15 tackles, including 14 solos and two sacks.
Weisskopf had two of the team’s interceptions, Heitman, Kellen Cockrell and Grady Wetjen one each.
