With three MVFC commits in tow, Solon's high-powered offense ready to 'finish the job' in 2019
"It's one of the more skilled teams we've had in recent memory," Spartans coach Kevin Miller said.
With three MVFC commits in tow, Solon's high-powered offense ready to 'finish the job' in 2019 "It's one of the more skilled teams we've had in recent memory," Spartans coach Kevin Miller said. Check out this story on desmoinesregister.com: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/08/19/iowa-high-school-football-solon-missouri-valley-football-conference-cam-miller-aj-coons-jace-andregg/2051752001/
Dargan Southard, Des Moines Register Published 3:53 p.m. CT Aug. 19, 2019 | Updated 1:41 p.m. CT Aug. 21, 2019
SOLON, Ia. — Each player picked a different color of Missouri Valley Football Conference shine, meaning their collegiate paths are bound to cross. But those clashes can wait.
Solon's offensive trio has unfinished business.
Quarterback Cam Miller returns under center for one more go, a North Dakota State pledge now attached to his name. AJ Coons, Miller's trusted senior on the outside, has made South Dakota State his future home. Northern Iowa commit Jace Andregg is the newbie, having transferred over from Cedar Rapids Prairie. Speed and spirit are the wide receiver's specialties.
From a recruiting standpoint, finding an in-state attack with more potency is a difficult task. Three FCS weapons, all committed to various Valley schools, have the Spartans ready to erase the pain of last season's first-round playoff drubbing. Visions of securing Solon's first title since 2010 are vivid.
Solon wide receiver A.J. Coons, from left, quarterback Cam Miller, and wide receiver Jace Andregg pose for a photo after a varsity football practice, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at Spartan Stadium in Solon, Iowa. (Photo: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen)
Erratic weather in the fall months, coupled with a lack of consistent skill-position talent, leaves many Iowa high school football programs with run-first intentions. As much as coaches would love to air it out, they usually don't have the luxury to do so.
Not here.
There's an established connection with Miller and Coons, who are entering their third year atop the Spartan offense. More than 2,600 yards and 41 touchdowns piled up between the two last season. As a result, Solon is one of only two 3A schools that returns a top-five leader in passing and receiving yards.
That duo alone would generate plenty of offensive excitement. Adding in Andregg seems borderline unfair.
"I've seen these guys play before — last year, and when they were sophomores too," Andregg said. "I just think having these guys by my side and having them lead the way and teach me the plays will help me get into rhythm.
"It's going to be pretty fun."
The two receivers should complement each other well.
Coons is the 6-foot-3 perimeter weapon who can go snag just about anything. That's why he averaged 17 yards per catch with big plays all-around. Andregg, meanwhile, is full of untapped potential in game settings. He was limited in Prairie's ground-dominant gameplan, reduced to just 33 carries and nine catches. That'll change this year.
Whether it's end-arounds, trick plays or mismatches in the passing game, Andregg will have his chance to shine. He's already proven his athleticism with staggering performances at The Opening's Midwest regional. Now comes the chance to merge hype with statistics.
"I had heard a lot of stuff about Jace," Cam Miller said, "how he was a great kid and a great athlete. Obviously, when he tested it out at The Opening, he had the highest score there. So as a quarterback, that just gets you going. So I'm super excited to have him out there."
Solon wide receivers A.J. Coons, left, and Jace Andregg pose for a photo after a varsity football practice, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at Spartan Stadium in Solon, Iowa. (Photo: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen)
It didn't take long to get Andregg up to speed on Solon's standard of excellence. The Spartans don't hope for lengthy postseason runs; they expect them. Which is why disappointment lingers from how recent seasons have ended.
In 2018, Solon surged through an undefeated regular season only to slam into a playoff wall. Western Dubuque waxed the Spartans on their home turf, ending a promising year in the first round. A similar story unfolded in 2017, as Solon won 11 straight before crashing hard in the UNI-Dome against Cedar Rapids Xavier.
Cam Miller and Coons both experienced those firsthand. No one wants a repeat in their final year.
"You hate to say those seasons were disappointments, going undefeated and winning the district. But losing in the playoffs (the way we did) is not the expectation we have at Solon," Coons said. "The last two years — not finishing where we want to — has made us hungrier. There's more desire in our hearts.
"We've been around the program and seen a lot of success. But this is our last year. We're trying to get out there and finish the job."
Solidifying collegiate plans should help streamline the focus. All three flirted with headliner interest during their recruitments before landing on Valley schools. The MVFC has long been a place for fringe Power Five prospects to shine.
Miller will do so at arguably college football's most impressive dynasty, one that's scared off most FBS schools. However, South Dakota State has given North Dakota State the most trouble inside the league. Fighting for the Dakota Marker trophy will become an annual Miller-Coons battle. Andregg will get his shot at both as well.
The prequel to collegiate action comes this season. Solon's trio believes this chapter will be filled with fireworks.
"We've had a lot of people talk about how good this team is going to be," Cam Miller said. "We're just going to do our thing."
Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
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