Solum voted football MVP among five honored by Spring Grove teammates

Junior Elijah Solum was voted Most Valuable Player by his 2022 state 9-man runner-up Spring Grove football teammates. Senior Ty Cleven was the choice for both Lineman of the Year and Outstanding Leader Award. Senior Noah Blackburn was voted Defensive Player of the Year while Jacob Olerud received the most votes for Rookie of the Year. Junior Braedon Solie was the Scout Team Player of the Year.

Solum, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound All-District quarterback/linebacker had previously been honored as the District Offensive Player of the Year and named to the 9-Man All-State Team as a quarterback. He led the nine-team sub-district in total offense (rushing plus passing yardage) while breaking three school single-season passing records: yards, touchdowns and completions. Solum, in addition to those passing categories, also led the Lions in three rushing categories: yardage, touchdowns and scoring. On defense, he shared the team lead in fumbles forced and ranked second in solo tackles, tackles for loss and sacks.

Cleven (Lineman of the Year & Outstanding Leader) at 6-0, 200, was voted two team awards after anchoring the offensive line at center in a shotgun formation that averaged eight yards per play.

Blackburn (Defensive Plyer of the Year) at 6-2, 275, who had previously received Honorable Mention on an All-Area team, started for a second season at nose guard in the middle of the D-line. He was second on the team in fumble recoveries (3) and fifth in tackles for loss (7.5)

Olerud (Rookie of the Year) at 6-0, 170, was the deep snapper for extra-point kicks and punts and started at linebacker where he led the Lions in solo tackles (62) and fumble recoveries (5) while sharing the team lead in fumbles forced (3). He ranked second in total tackles (130).

Solie (Scout Team Player of the Year) as a 5-6, 130 reserve receiver/linebacker was honored for his contributions on the scout team, which simulates the upcoming opponent during practice sessions.

The Lions also excelled in the classroom with 17 of the 21 letterwinners earning Academic All-District acclaim for a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the first academic quarter. Recognized were seniors Cleven, Hunter Holland, Caleb Griffin, Logan Brumm and Tysen Grinde. Junior scholars were Solum, Olerud, Josh Newgaard, Ethan Crouch and Jaxon Strinmoen. Seven sophomores honored were Bryce Berns, Shawn Crouch, Emmet Engeldinger, Troy Reinhardt, Sylas Flatin, Zach Brumm and Brandon Jahnke.

Seniors Holland and Cleven earned their fourth varsity football letters while receiving a third letter were seniors Griffin, Grinde, Blackburn, Cooper Olson and Logan Brumm plus juniors Olerud, Elijah Solum and Ethan Crouch.

Two-year letterwinners were junior Strinmoen plus sophomores Berns, Jahnke, Engeldinger, Shawn Crouch and Zach Brumm. Earning their first letters were junior Newgaard plus sophomores Flatin and Reinhardt along with freshmen Noah Heppner and Jacob Solum.

Previously announced was the 9-Man All-State Team, where quarterback Solum was joined by senior defensive back Tysen Grinde. Prep RedZone named junior Ethan Crouch Small-School Second Team All-State as a defensive lineman.

The Post Bulletin All-Area Second Team included Solum, Grinde and senior Caleb Griffin with Honorable Mention going to Cleven, Blackburn, Ethan Crouch, Hunter Holland, Logan Brumm, Jacob Olerud and Jaxon Strinmoen.

The All-District Team included both Solum and Grinde along with seniors Griffin and Holland plus junior Ethan Crouch. Receiving Honorable Mention All-District were two juniors, Olerud and Strinmoen. Kody Moore was the Coach of the Year.