By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Solomon Gorillas are 3-1 at the midway point of their 2021 season, and of those four opponents, only one was the team they prepared for throughout the week.
Three different times, Covid-related issues led to an opponent canceling and three different times, Solomon found a team to play.
In week two, that call came on Friday morning, and the team scrambled to set up and prepare for a game against Canton-Galva, the top-ranked 8-man team in the state, on just hours notice.
“It was very stressful but we told our guys as long as we play assignment sound football we should be able to go and compete with anyone,” Solomon head coach Mike Kilgore said.
Despite this adversity, the Gorillas have prevailed, jumping out to an impressive start and looking to build on that success moving forward.
“We’re coming together as a team and our guys are holding each other accountable on and off the field,” Kilgore said.
Solomon has been led by a dynamic offensive unit, averaging 52 points in the team’s three wins.
After a triumphant return from injury in week three, the offense is once again led by sophomore quarterback Spencer Coup, who is completing 50% of his passes in his two starts.
The ground game remains the main attraction of this year’s Gorillas team, as the senior rushing duo of Dylan Hynes and Jarrett Baxa has been steamrolling opposing fronts in 2021.
Hynes and Baxa have combined to carry the ball 75 times for 627 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Hynes is averaging a staggering 97 yards per game with Baxa not far behind at just under 60.
The defense has looked impressive as well, pitching two shutouts and recovering seven fumbles in just four games so far.
Solomon will be tested again this week when they host another 3-1 team from the area in the Bennington Bulldogs.
After that, the Gorillas will head to Lincoln before hosting Canton-Galva for a second meeting and finishing their season at Little River.
This final stretch features two of the top five 8M-DI teams in the state, but Solomon maintains high hopes for what this team can accomplish.
“Our expectation is that we’re going to make the playoffs,” Kilgore said. “Once we get there every game is an opportunity to battle.”
For more on Solomon football in 2021 stay tuned to the Salina Post.