St. Peter’s Prep standout quietly putting up record-like numbers
Before the current high school season was to begin, St. Peter’s Prep head football coach Rich Hansen had a get-together at his Freehold home for his senior players, a little summer barbecue to talk about what the coach expected from his seniors.
Hansen asked each of the seniors to fill out an index card complete with personal goals for the upcoming campaign.
Running back John Solan, merely Hudson County’s premier offensive player a year ago, had every chance to write down lofty goals of All-State accolades, about possibly gaining 2,000 yards and scoring 30 touchdowns, about securing a big-time college scholarship.
Solan could have, but then again, something would have been remiss. He wouldn’t have been John Solan.
"He wrote down that his personal goal was to help his teammates to play better," Hansen said about Solan’s reply. "And that he wanted to make sure that he sat on the bus to and from practices and games with the underclassmen. That’s it. He’s pretty humble. His goals were to help others. I thought that was impressive."
Solan’s skills as a tailback are also pretty startling. The 5-9, 185-pound speedster is the perfect blend of quickness and power.
"Pound for pound, he’s the strongest kid in the program," Hansen said. "He’s spent the last year solid in the weight room and he received speed training, so he’s bigger and faster than a year ago."
Added Hansen, "Plus, he’s a better running back. He has more experience at it. He’s been the beneficiary of a veteran offensive line that has been playing together for a while. You put it all together and it puts John in a very good position to have a very good year."
Very good indeed. The Marauders are undefeated at 5-0, ranked No. 12 in the state. And Solan has been churning up the yardage, collecting 821 yards and 13 touchdowns in those first five games.
Last week, Solan had 155 yards on 17 carries and scored three touchdowns, leading the Marauders to an impressive 41-7 victory over previously undefeated Ferris.
For his efforts, Solan has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Ask Solan about his yardage and his county-leading touchdown total and he’ll just shrug his shoulders.
"I really don’t pay attention to those things too much," Solan said. "I really just wanted to do better than last year. And I wanted to do whatever it took for us to win."
Well, mission accomplished, because Solan is on pace to have the best season a Prep running back has ever had, poised to break Cabral Edley’s single-season record of 1,578 yards two years ago.
"We don’t even talk about the record," Hansen said. "I don’t think we’ve talked about it at all. John just goes about his business. He’s one of the finest kids we’ve ever had. And he’s also one of the funniest, but he doesn’t show it much."
Like in one scrimmage game this year, when Hansen first put the draw play into use. Solan took the first draw and ran for days.
"He gained about 50 yards on the play, then came to the sidelines and said, ‘Coach, I didn’t even know we had the draw.’ Well, he ran it pretty well, not even knowing we had the play."
What is also amazing is that Solan had major reconstruction surgery to his knee two years ago – and that thought is a distant memory.
"His knee is even stronger now than it was before the surgery," Hansen said. "It’s been Cybex-tested. It is true. Doctors have seen that happen before. But the injury isn’t even talked about."
Solan was asked about the difference in his play between last year and this season.
"Last year, I just pretty much ran with the flow," Solan said. "Now, I understand the schemes better. I have a better understanding of the game, of what I’m supposed to do. I think that probably comes with experience. I’ve spent a lot of time watching films. I know my teammates better and I have a feeling, a sense of where the holes will open up. Football is definitely a thinking man’s game and I’m doing more thinking this year."
Solan also isn’t concerned about his athletic future. He would love to play major college football, but he’s aware that college recruiters shy away from players his size.
"Whatever happens, happens," Solan said. "That’s the way I look at everything. I’ll play somewhere next year. I’ll be happy if it’s Division 1."
"I’ve been to some camps and coached in some All-Star games and I wouldn’t trade John Solan for any of those players," Hansen said. "I told that to Rutgers and to other Division 1 schools. He’s a great football player. I don’t care about his height or his weight. If he’s not good enough in their eyes for Division 1, then someone out there will see it. He just does so many things well."
Hansen thinks that Solan is only scratching the surface.
"As good as the numbers look right now, he has the capability of doing better," Hansen said. "And he’s going to do better. And that’s the scary thought."