Recap, Reaction: Nevada Continues Magical Run
In this article:
Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area
Photo Gallery: Solon-Nevada
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Call seventh-ranked Nevada the giant slayer. The Cubs have knocked off the state's top two Class 3A teams in consecutive weeks, advancing to next Friday's championship game against Bishop Heelan.
After dispatching of top-ranked Clear Lake last week, Nevada took down No. 2 Solon, 29-10, in Saturday's semifinals at the UNI-Dome. The Cubs were playing here in the final four for the first time in program history. Now, they will compete for their first title.
"Playing our identity, smash-mouth football," Nevada quarterback
Drake Hinson
Drake
Hinson
6'4" | 200 lbs | QB
Nevada | 2026
State
IA
said in regards to how his team accomplished what it did the last two weeks. "Beginning of the year, we had a tough loss, and since then we really came together as a team, playing how we want to play. Smash the ball down, run the ball. It takes all of us. Everyone has to do their part. That was what we did."
Nevada showed it meant business on the game's opening drive. It drove 70 yards in 10 plays, taking 3:59 off of the clock. The march was capped off by a
Austin Waldera
Austin
Waldera
6'0" | 200 lbs | LB
Nevada | 2026
State
IA
six-yard touchdown run.
A pair of field goals by Cubs kicker Gavin Egeland were sandwiched around a three-point boot by Solon's Ryan Locke. Nevada held a 13-3 lead late in the second quarter.
The Spartans grabbed momentum going into the halftime locker room. Senior quarterback
Eli Kampman
Eli
Kampman
6'2" | 195 lbs | QB
Solon | 2026
State
IA
connected with
Cody Milliman
Cody
Milliman
6'1" | 195 lbs | ATH
Solon | 2027
IA
for a 51-yard touchdown toss. Nevada led 13-10 at the break.
Egeland kicked a 42-yard field goal early in the third quarter. A one-yard run by Hinson extended the Cub lead to 22-10 with 2:15 remaining in the third quarter.
From there, Nevada did what it had done for much of the night - chew up clock with strong offensive line play controlling the trenches. Hinson's 22-yard scoring run with 4:12 remaining in regulation pushed the advantage to 29-10. The celebration was on.
"Smash-mouth football, that's what we do best," Waldera said. "It's a Nevada ritual right there. It feels good."
Solon was in The Dome for the fourth time in the last seven years. The Spartans were chasing their first championship since 2010, when they won four in a row.
"They're (pass) rush was really good," Kampman said. "They wrecked the plays in ways where we couldn't hang onto the ball long enough to let the play develop. They played really well on the edge."
