Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Humboldt's Valley Davis reacts to scoring a touchdown against Solon on Friday at Mason Maach Field. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

HUMBOLDT — Before the 2024 season even began, Mason Van Pelt had a message for his teammates.

The senior addressed his team on the first day of camp about what it was like reaching the UNI-Dome, which he experienced two years ago when Humboldt advanced to the Class 3A football semifinal round.

“When I talked about the Dome in my speech, I told my fellow seniors to think about two years ago when we went (to Cedar Falls) and how special that experience was,” Van Pelt said. “I told them we can do it this season.

“We just had to grind, day in and day out.”

On Friday night, the top-ranked Wildcats (10-1 overall) clinched their third trip to the Dome in the lkast four seasons with a 35-3 thrashing of ninth-ranked Solon (8-3) in a Class 3A quarterfinal contest.

“Now that we’re there, it means everything to my teammates and I,” Van Pelt said. “We knew we could do it at the start of the year, and it’s just satisfying to see all of our hard work pay off.

“Our defense has just been incredible all year. We’re really all about bend but don’t break.”

Humboldt will now face Mount Vernon (10-1) in a Class 3A semifinal in Cedar Falls. The contest will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

“It’s great after the game watching these kids and their families celebrating together on the field,” said seventh-year HHS head coach Derrick Elman, who won his 47th game at the school last night. “We are playing good, fundamental, tough-nosed football.”

Solon, which reached the state quarterfinals a year ago, came in averaging 31 points per game and giving up only 17 per night.

The Wildcat defense was stout, as per usual.

“The biggest thing is our guys trust their schemes,” Elman said. “Our defensive coaches did a tremendous job of making them successful.

“Our guys just really again trusted what our staff implemented.”

Late in the game, Solon quarterback Ty Bell hit Eli Kampan with a 36-yard pass to the Humboldt 1-yard line, but the Wildcats forced a fumble out of the back of the end zone for a touchback to preserve the touchdown-less performance.

The Humboldt defense only allowed the Spartans inside the Wildcat 30-yard line three times.

“If you want to be successful, you find a way,” Elman said. “Our kids have the talent to get to the right spot and recognize what is working and what is not.”

It was the sixth game this season the Wildcats trailed after the first quarter, but 35 unanswered points shut the door on the Spartans in a hurry.

“Six times we’ve been down after the first quarter,” Elman said. “We have constantly battled back. We fight like dogs.

“Our coaches do everything they can to put the kids in a successful spot.”

The Spartans got on the board first with a 36-yard field goal from Ryan Locke, his third of the season.

The Wildcat coaching staff stuck with the plan on the outside, and senior quarterback Coen Matson finally broke through the scheme of the Spartan defense, connecting with Cash McIntire for a 49-yard touchdown — his first scoring catch of the season — with 8:40 left in the second.

On the ensuing drive, Matson connected with Chase Flaherty in the end zone from 11 yards out for their 10th TD connection in 2024.

After a Van Pelt interception that was returned to the Solon 10-yard line, Matson cashed in on a one-yard scoring plunge.

“Every successful team needs a Mason Van Pelt,” Elman said. “He is always in the right place at the right time.

“Mason is one of those kids, that when he graduates from Humboldt High School, he will leave it in a better place.”

Humboldt took a 21-3 lead into the locker room.

After Van Pelt’s second interception of the night, sophomore Jackson Kirchoff sprinted down the sidelines for a 45-yard touchdown — his second of the season.

“We’ve got a couple of young running backs (sophomores Kirchoff and McIntire) that can catch the ball,” Elman said. “We’ve worked on getting the backs involved more in the passing game.

“Knowing that Coen didn’t need help in protection, Cash did a great job of moving on the scramble and made the play. Jackson had a great run following his blocks.”

The Wildcats’ final touchdown was set up by junior Zane McIntire’s interception. Matson then hit Keegan Groat from 36 yards out for the score.

Matson had three TD passes on the night and now has 24 on the season.

Junior Jackson Flaherty continued his streak of interceptions, picking off a pass in his third consecutive contest.

After losing to top-ranked North Polk in the third week of the year, the Wildcats have now reeled off seven straight victories. They own wins over six teams ranked inside the Top-15 of RPI rankings, including a victory over three-time defending champion and No. 4 (Class 2A) Van Meter.

“I don’t know if people realize how hard it is to win football games,” Elman said. “It’s great to know how good these kids feel and the excitement in the community.

“We have a brand of football that our town and our family really gets behind.”