2013 Solon Football Schedule Released: Comets To Face Five New Teams Next Season

The 2013 Solon Football schedule has been completed and features some significant changes, with the Comets preparing to face five different teams than last year.

Starting with the non-conference portion of the schedule, Solon will rekindle a long rivalry with Kenston and begin a two-year stint with Willoughby South.

The Comets will also play Valley Forge, Mayfield and Hudson, all new to the schedule next season.

Solon will still play rivals Twinsburg and Mentor along with other Valley Division opponents Strongsville and Brunswick.

Glenville also remains on the schedule from last season.

"The 2013 schedule presents a tremendous challenge for us," said Coach McQuaide. "Our offseason program is in full swing and our guys are working extremely hard to make all of Solon proud."

Here is the schedule:

The Comets will travel to Kenston to open up the 2013 campaign as the Bombers replace the spot that Shaker Heights held for the last four years. Willoughby South replaces Akron Buchtel as the third game on the schedule, beginning with this coming year. Solon will travel to South for a Thursday night contest in early September.

Solon’s last meeting with Kenston came in 2004 when the Comets secured a 35-7 victory over the Bombers. More recently, Solon and Willoughby South matched up in the 2011 OHSAA Playoffs. Solon paid a visit to the Rebels in the first round and came away with a 37-12 win.

Overall, Solon holds a 25-14-3 record against Kenston and a 4-1 record over Willoughby South.

The South Rebels come off another historic season as they made the playoffs in 2012 for the third consecutive year. They were one of two undefeated teams after the regular season in Division I, Region 1 last year and finished with a record of 10-1. In Division II, Region 5, the Kenston Bombers finished with a 7-5 record. They were victorious over Tallmadge in the first round of the 2012 playoffs and fell short to Chardon in the Region 5 Semi-Final.

"We’re thrilled to be able to add two top-notch opponents to our 2013 slate," said Solon Head Coach Jim McQuaide. "Both teams have seen great success over the last few years and we know it will be a battle going to both Kenston and South in the same year."

Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division play will begin in Week Four this coming year as Strongsville will visit Stewart Field. NOC Crossover games will occupy the fifth and sixth spots on the schedule.

In those crossover games, Solon will travel to Valley Forge on September 26 and the Wildcats from Mayfield will visit Solon High School on October 4. Valley Division play will resume on October 11 with a game at Hudson; followed by the annual battle against Mentor, a visit to Twinsburg, and a regular season finale with Brunswick at Stewart Field.

Valley Forge and Solon will face each other in Week Five for the first time in the two school’s football histories.

Mayfield and Hudson are two long rivalries that were put on hold the last few years. Solon’s last win over Mayfield came in 2010 in a game at Mayfield that saw Solon compile 48 points. Solon owns a 17-13-2 record over the Wildcats.

Solon’s last matchup with Hudson also occurred in 2010 as the Comets shutout the Explorers for the first 47 minutes to go on to a 34-6 win. Solon has an 11-2 advantage over Hudson entering 2013.