The last three years has seen the Washington Demon football team (3-1 overall; 2-0 Class 3A District 5) line up against one of the more well known football programs in eastern Iowa. The Demons are set to play their final non-district football game of the season tonight, hosting the Solon Spartans (2-2 overall; 1-1 Class 3A District 4).

Tonight is the third meeting between the schools in the last three years, and their fifth since 2010. Both squads have been regular fixtures in the Class 3A playoffs since the 2011 season, and even played each other in the 2013 Class 3A semifinals, a 14-9 triumph for Washington.

Despite having reached the state championship game two seasons ago, Washington head coach Garrison Carter believes his program isn’t as prominent as Solon. “If you can start beating teams like Solon, you will get some statewide recognition for where we are at as a program.” Carter said, “We want to get on that level, and I don’t necessarily know if Washington is talked about in the same breath as Solon, Cedar Rapids Xavier, and Pella but that is what we are constantly working towards.”

Since losing week one to the No. 1 Pella Little Dutch, the Demons have won their previous three footballs games, outscoring their opponents 93-19 during the streak.

This is the final non-district football game for the Spartans as well, who enter tonight’s showdown with a 2-2 overall record. Their two losses have been by a combine total of 11 points. Turnovers have been a torn in the Spartans’ side all season, committing three or more in three of their four games this season.

Solon head football coach Kevin Miller says he team hasn’t done a good job taking care of the football the first four weeks of the season, “We had four turnovers the other night (versus Marion), three interceptions and a fumble.” Thankfully we are turning over people as well but we have to value the football. It comes back to discipline and we’ve lacked discipline on the offensive side of the ball.”

The Spartans committed seven turnovers in an eight-point week one loss to the Iowa City Regina Regals, the most turnovers ever committed by a Miller coached team.

This will be a battle of top 15 scoring defenses tonight. Washington’s defense is allowing 15.25 points per game this season, the 12th best mark in Class 3A football, relinquishing seven points over the previous eight quarters. Solon’s defense is giving up 14.25 points per game, the 11th lowest total in Class 3A football. Both teams posted shutouts last week. Washington blanked Fairfield, 23-0, while Solon shut down Marion, 35-0.

Coverage of tonight’s non-district football game between Washington and Solon will begin at 7 p.m. with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com. The Coleman Construction kickoff from Case Field in Washington is set for 7:30 p.m.