Xavier tries to tackle top-ranked Pella

The idea of Cedar Rapids Xavier as a football underdog seems implausible.

The Saints weren't expected in that role in their first season of Class 3A competition. Heck, they weren't in that position much the last two seasons that ended in the 4A state title game.

But, technically, that's exactly where Xavier finds itself against top-ranked and unbeaten Pella in the Iowa High School Athletic Association state semifinal Thursday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Kickoff is set for 8:21 p.m. and will be televised live on KCRG 9.2.

The underdog card won't be played by Xavier Coach Duane Schulte. He said he doesn't believe in pregame hype.

'We have never said a word about whether a game is big or not,” Schulte said. 'To us, every game is big. We try not to get too high or too low and go play.”

Schulte recalled a reporter insinuating the drop to 3A would mean easier competition. He said he insisted that wasn't true and an insult to the respected 3A programs he knew, playing at Cedar Rapids LaSalle in the late-1970's. He said playoff opponents have been challenges, hoping they have prepared the Saints for the toughest yet.

'I remember telling them it isn't going to be a cakewalk,” Schulte said. 'It's not easy. It's been proven true. It's not easy to win a high-school football game, no matter what level you're playing.”

Pella (12-0) makes its seventh state semifinal appearance and first since 2010. The Dutch outscored their opponents by almost 40 points per game this season. The current Saints have plenty experience on this stage.

'They've had a lot of success in the past, but it's just another football game,” Senior right tackle Tim Otting said. 'It's just like playing Dowling or Bettendorf last year. We will have to go out and give it our best and see what happens.”

The Saints have handled injury this postseason, managing a 27-17 quarterfinal win over No. 7 West Delaware without starting running back Jay Kortemeyer and two-way standout Nic Ekland. The possibility of not being at full strength might add to the perception Xavier will be at a disadvantage against the Dutch.

Sean Murphy stepped in as a featured back, rushing for 99 yards. Quarterback Bryce Schulte threw for 112 yards, throwing for a touchdown and running for two more scores.

'We have a lot of guys who are willing to step up,” Otting said. 'Everyone took it great. We had people step up the last game and we're looking to do the same against Pella.”

The Saints showed some versatility with the offense against the Hawks. The Dutch defense leads 3A, allowing 7.3 points per game. They will try to take advantage of what Pella gives them.

'I always loved Hayden Fry and he said scratch where it itches,” Schulte said. 'That's part of our philosophy, I guess.”

The season has been a work in progress for Xavier, which lost much of its starters from last year, including most of the defense. Schulte said it took a few weeks for the coaching staff to put a finger on the pulse of this year's team. The players became unified as the season progressed.

'They have come together more as a team and bonded,” Schulte said. 'They are playing for each other. They have good chemistry.”

Xavier (9-3) has lost as many games already this season as it did the previous two years. State title contenders West Des Moines Dowling (4A) and Iowa City Regina (1A) handed them non-district setbacks and Western Dubuque was the only 3A team to best them. Those losses help more than hurt.

'It showed us how to deal with adversity,” Xavier senior Mason Burken said. 'Once we got down we tried to force our stuff our way, but we couldn't do it. Now that we've been there, we've learned what to do and how to do it.”

Pella's offense scores more than 46 points a game. Junior quarterback Noah Clayberg has 2,420 total yards of offense, including 1,365 rushing with 18 TDs. He has completed 68-percent of his passes with 14 TDs. Quinton Murphy (814) and Nathan Henry (800) have both eclipsed the 800-yard mark on the ground.

'We're going to have to play our game, getting off the ball like we usually try to do,” Otting said. 'It's probably going to be established up front, probably, but our skill guys will have to do their jobs. Everyone will have to do their part and if we do that I hope we can have some success.”

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