Washington faces another Homecoming

Washington High School has been a part of two Homecoming victories in the last two weeks, winning its own in overtime, then winning at Keokuk.

Friday is a chance for a third win as Class 3A's No. 3 Solon (5-0) hosts the Demons (3-2) for Homecoming.

'We are excited to go play them with their Hall of Fame coaches, state titles and multiple guys going on to college football careers,” WHS coach James Harris said. 'This game will be a tremendous challenge. That being said, what a tremendous opportunity it is for our entire program. Solon is the class of southeast Iowa, them and Xavier.”

It will be the second game in District 6 for both teams. Solon won at Fort Madison 49-6. The Demons won at Keokuk 28-6.

Both teams have a common opponent in West Liberty. Both teams went to overtime with West Liberty. Both teams won by a touchdown.

What will that mean?

'We don't focus on comparing scores,” said Solon coach Kevin Miller, who has 174-32 record in 18 years at the helm. 'We're focused on Washington and what they do in every facet of the game. We know that Washington will play hard and physical.”

'It means we both beat talented West Liberty in a close game,” Harris said. 'Every game is its own unique thing.”

For a victory, the Demons have to have everyone doing their job. They have to be ahead in turnovers and must play a clean game with few penalties.

'On top of being athletically talented, they are really well coached,” Harris said. 'Their defensive staff between coaches Brent Sands and Brad Wymer are as good as they get, not to mention they have former Hawkeye and NFL sack champ Aaron Kampman on staff as well. They are as fundamentally sound a team as I have coached against.”

The athletic talent starts at linebacker. Adam Bock (No. 32) is a 6-foot, 215-pound senior.

'He is good at everything,” Harris said. 'He is big, fast, strong, smart, can tackle, can run after the catch, can punt. I believe he is committed to South Dakota State.”

Senior Coal Flansburg (No. 7) is an Iowa State commit at 6-1, 235, who also plays linebacker. Senior Ryan Gestkemper (No. 44), 5-10, 185 'does a really nice job of setting the edge for them,” Harris said. 'Defensively, No. 81 junior A.J. Coons can cover the entire field from his safety position.”

Coons is most dangerous at receiver where he leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and TDs. Solon is tied for second in the state in Class 3A in receiving TDs with 14.

Senior Hunter Kula (No. 28) 'is a talented running back,” Harris said. 'He is not big, but if we give him a crease he will be gone. To top it off, Coach Miller's son (No. 15) is their quarterback and he is smart and athletic. You can tell he has total control of their offense.”

Cam Miller is 55 of 93 for 706 yards while Bock has run 48 times for 371 yards.

Washington's Luke Turner is 53 of 100 for 815 yards with nine TDs and has rushed 79 times for 342 yards.

Solon plays a spread offnese and will play multiple fronts on defense.

Bock leads the team in tackles with 33. Flansburg and Gestkemper each have 18.

The Spartans have caused 14 turnovers (eight interceptions and six fumble recoveries).

'This team doesn't have weakness,” Harris said. 'But if I would say one, it would be lack of experience up front.”

Solon will not do anything different than what has been working.

'We must execute on offense and play consistently hard on both sides of the ball,” Miller said. 'First, we have to avoid turnovers. Secondly, don't give up big plays on defensive and play physical. Washington has capable playmakers on offense and we must contain those players.”