HUMBOLDT — Second-ranked Humboldt has made it a habit of playing in Cedar Falls.

The top-ranked (RPI) Wildcats (9-1 overall) will play for a UNI-Dome spot for the third time in four seasons on Friday night when they host 10th-ranked Solon (8-2) in a Class 3A state quarterfinal contest.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Mason Maach Field.

Humboldt, which has made five straight playoff appearances, lost in the 3A semifinals in both 2021 and 2022.

The Wildcats have run through a gauntlet to get to this point. They have beaten five teams inside the Top-15 in the RPI rankings this season.

Head coach Derrick Elman’s squad owns wins over Class 4A playoff teams Spencer (No. 14) and No. 13 Ballard. They lost a nine-point contest to top-ranked North Polk.

They beat 15th-rated Clear Lake twice, including once to claim the district title and then last week in the opening round of the playoffs.

They also own a victory over three-time defending champion and fourth-ranked (2A) Van Meter, which had won 24 straight games at the time.

After losing to the top-ranked Comets in Week 3, the Wildcats reeled off six straight wins, including last week’s 13-10 triumph over the Lions.

In their playoff opener, Coen Matson threw for 163 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown to Keegan Groat.

Karson Rubel pushed Humboldt into the quarterfinals with a 33-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining in regulation.

Solon enters on a three-game winning streak. They exacted revenge on district foe Benton, winning 34-27 after losing to the Bobcats earlier this season.

Quarterback Ty Bell was 17-for-23 passing for 219 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. He connected with Maddox Kelley eight times for 118 yards and two TDs. Eddie Johnson had a 29-yard score.

On the ground, Johnson had two touchdowns and 92 yards rushing.

The Spartans entered the contest with a balanced offensive attack, throwing for 1,866 yards and rushing for 1,936.

Bell is 139-for-209 for 1,694 yards and 19 scoring strikes.

Johnson has been a groundhog, running for 1,178 on 162 totes and 18 touchdowns, including a 95-yard romp.

Seven different receivers have caught TD passes, led by Maddox Kelley’s seven. Kelley has 51 grabs for 660 yards.

Owen Einwalter (four), Johnson (three) and Karsyn Regennitter (three) are their other leaders.

Matson has been dominant through 10 games, throwing for 1,973 yards on 121-for-187 passing. He has 21 touchdown strikes and has thrown only four interceptions. Matson has also ran for four scores.

Both Chase Flaherty and Keegan Groat have gone over 600 yards receiving. Flaherty has 44 catches for 662 and nine scores. Groat has 24 grabs for 642 and seven trips to the end zone.

Valley Davis has 369 yards and four touchdowns. Van Pelt also has a touchdown catch.

Cash McIntire is the leading rusher, going for 428 yards and four TDs to date. Jaxson Kirkchoff has two touchdowns, while Mason Van Pelt and Trey Al-Hameed have one each.

Cael Donahe leads the defensive charge for the Wildcats with 68 tackles. Landon Halverson (61.5), Groat (58), Al-Hameed (57), Broedy Hendricks (51) and Van Pelt (49) are the other leading tacklers.

The Wildcats have recovered eight fumbles, led by Van Pelt’s three. Humboldt also has three interceptions. Jackson Flaherty has three picks, and Cael Donahe has two. Chase Flaherty has returned a kick for a score.

Rubel has been a threat with his foot, connecting on 32 of 34 extra point attempts and four of five field goal tries.