Washington-Solon set for battle

SOLON — Over the last decade, the Solon-Washington football series has certainly been a battle. The Spartans and Demons have played 10 times since 2013, and every meeting has been one of high stakes.

On Friday at Spartan stadium, the Demons will once again face off with one of their most familiar foes. If Washington can pull the upset, the Demons will be right back in the heat of the district race.

Solon comes in at 3-2. The Spartans are ranked No. 9 in Class 3A, and they’re the clear favorite in District 5. After winning its first two games, Washington is now 2-3, and coming off a seven-point Homecoming loss to Grinnell, the Demons could really use a boost.

If the Demons want to pull off the upset, they’ll need a big game out of running back Tayven Stuart, who found the end zone again last week, making it eight touchdowns so far in his senior year.

Washington quarterback Ethan Patterson has thrown four touchdown passes this season, and he’s rushed for one more. All four scores have went to different receivers, as Jude Brown, Evan Van Der Molen, Luke Beenblossom and Stuart all have one touchdown catch.

Washington’s special teams unit made the biggest play of the night last week, when Jude Carter blocked a punt and fell on it in the end zone. The Demons have been opportune all year with the ball on the ground, recovering five fumble on defense and special teams.

Solon has been quite the problem for opposing defenses, especially when it comes to stopping the run. The Spartans have rushed for 1,061 yards and 17 touchdowns already this season. Quarterback Blake Timmons has eight of those scores, and running back Brett Whtie has scored seven times.

Timmons has also thrown for 561 yards, but the Spartan slinger has thrown four interceptions, compared to just two touchdowns. Both of those TDs have went to senior receiver Oaken Foster, who has caught 14 balls for 173 yards and a pair of scores.

Defensively, the Spartans have been ball hawks. Solon has seven interceptions on the year, three of which have come from senior Sean Stahle. The only fumble recovery Solon has scooped up went 30 yards to the house, courtesy of another senior, Rhyse Wear.

The Spartans are 1-0 in the district after thumping West Burlignton-Notre Dame 36-0 last week.

Solon has gotten the better of Washington in past matchups. The Spartans have won nine of the last 12, including a streak of six games in a row from 2015-2019. Washington beat Solon 33-18 in 2020, the last time the two teams played at Spartan Stadium, but Solon defeated Washington 44-21 at Case Field.

Friday night’s game will be the second-to-last home game on Washington’s schedule. The Demons will close out the season with a road trip to Keokuk and two home games against Fairfield and West Burlington-Notre Dame.