Hounds staring at No. 3 Solon in season finale

FORT MADISON – The Fort Madison Bloodhounds are set to wrap up a difficult football season Friday night as they host Class 3A No. 3 Solon at Jim Youel Field. The Bloodhounds, still searching for their first win, face a formidable Spartans squad that enters the contest undefeated at 8-0 and is considered a favorite for a deep playoff run.
Despite the 0-8 record, Head Coach Derek Doherty remains proud of his team’s resilience and attitude.
“The vibe has been good in practice,” Doherty said. “The thing I love most about these guys is that they’re not quitters. They’re not trying to find their way out of anything. They love playing football and understand that we’re building the foundation of our program.
“We’ve had a frustrating season, obviously. The outcomes have not been what we want, but we have a lot of kids sad that the season is coming to an end. As a coach, that makes you happy to hear.”
Doherty has emphasized the importance of culture and growth, even as the team has struggled with results. Many Bloodhounds have been thrust into varsity roles earlier than expected due to a small senior class and roster turnover.
The Bloodhounds have shown flashes of promise, with sophomore quarterback Stefan Berlett passing for over 500 yards and four touchdowns and running back Mo Thacher rushing for 461 yards and seven scores. Senior Eric Cornelis has contributed 254 yards and three touchdowns, while freshman Aurelio Jaciunde leads the team with 31 tackles. Sophomore Ren Watson has also emerged on defense with 29 tackles and has added versatility on offense from the tight end position of late.
Fort Madison’s schedule has been one of the toughest in the district, with losses to strong programs like Mount Vernon and Mt. Pleasant. The team has averaged just over 175 yards per game and is closing in on 1,400 yards of total offense for the season. Doherty and his staff have focused on building confidence and awareness in their young squad, hoping the experience gained this year will pay dividends in seasons to come.
“We believe in our process. Just because the outcomes aren’t happening right now doesn’t mean we abandon it,” Doherty said. “We’ve proven that when our process is right and we have buy-in, we can win football games. I’m not a gadget guy. We stick to our fundamentals and keep working.”
Solon, meanwhile, brings a high-powered attack led by senior quarterback Eli Kampman, who has accounted for nearly 2,000 yards of offense and 25 touchdowns. Junior Maddox Kelley has scored 19 touchdowns, and senior linebacker Kyler Jensen leads the defense with 56 tackles, including nine for loss.
The Bloodhounds’ rebuilding process has been marked by a commitment to developing young talent and fostering a positive team culture. Doherty remains optimistic about the future, noting that many of his players are gaining valuable “Friday night experience” that will serve them well in the years ahead.