Solon Downs West Delaware 23-14 in State Quarterfinal
Solon remains undefeated after a come-from-behind win that sends the Spartans to the Class 3A semifinals against Algona.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Football
Solon defeated West Delaware 23-14 in the Class 3A Iowa high school football state quarterfinals on Friday, November 6, 2026. Solon will face Algona in the state semifinals Saturday, November 14, at 4 p.m. at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
Why it matters
The win keeps Solon's undefeated season alive and advances the program to the state semifinals for Iowa's Class 3A bracket. The result also means Solon will return to the semifinal round after its 2025 loss to Nevada.
Solon's 23-14 quarterfinal margin was far below its season average of 37 points, while its 2025 state semifinal loss to Nevada ended 29-10. The Algona matchup is set for Saturday, but the outcome remains unknown.
The players
Maddox Kelley
Solon's quarterback and punt returner who scored on a 67-yard return and threw a touchdown pass to close the game.
James Thomsen
Solon receiver who caught the go-ahead touchdown pass with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter, his first catch of the season.
The details
Maddox Kelley returned a punt 67 yards for a touchdown on Solon's first play, and West Delaware answered with a 79-yard scoring pass to tie the game 7-7. Solon regained the lead on a Kelley screen pass to Kaden Hoeper, and after West Delaware tied the game 14-14 and then took a 17-14 lead, Solon's defense forced a fourth-and-5 stop before Kelley threw a 2:50 touchdown pass to James Thomsen.
Timeline
- 2025 season: Solon lost 29-10 to Nevada in the Class 3A state semifinal.
- Friday, November 6, 2026: Solon defeated West Delaware 23-14 in the state quarterfinal.
- Saturday, November 14, 2026: Solon plays Algona in the state semifinal at 4 p.m.
Season Trajectory
Solon's 2025 semifinal defeat to Nevada, a 29-10 loss, marks the last time the program reached this round. The quarterfinal win moves the undefeated Spartans back to the same stage, with the Algona semifinal now the next test.
The semifinal date and kickoff time are now set for Saturday, November 14, at 4 p.m., giving fans a firm schedule to plan around. Solon's undefeated record and its path to Algona shape how the remaining state bracket will unfold.
The takeaway
Solon's win shows how a team can recover from an early deficit by winning the final stretch of a close game. Fans tracking the state bracket can watch the Algona semifinal as the next key test for the undefeated Spartans.
What happens next
Solon will play Algona in the Class 3A state semifinal on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
Further reading
Explore more Iowa high school football coverage for the latest state playoff updates.
