Xavier plays complete game, rolls into postseason

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Xavier's unofficial mantra is for everyone to do their job.

In the Saints' regular-season finale, they received a little bit from all three units to close with a win and claim the Class 3A District 4 title.

The run game and special teams put them ahead in the first. The defense and passing game sealed the 37-6 win over Marion last night at Saints Field. The Saints (6-3, 5-1) roll into their first 3A playoff game, hosting a first-round opponent Wednesday.

'It's nice to win the district,' Senior running back Jay Kortemeyer said. 'Now, we have to focus on the playoffs and whoever we play Wednesday.'

Kortemeyer powered the Saints in the first half, rushing for 109 of his 142 yards by the break. He was almost the lone option in the opening drive.

The Saints drove 65 yards on 11 plays with Kortemeyer getting his hands on the ball for all but a converted fake punt that kept the drive alive near midfield. He scored on an 8-yard reception from Bryce Schulte to make it 7-0.

'I thought our offensive line did well tonight,' said Xavier Coach Duane Schulte, praising linemen Sanders Ferring, Ben Fahnle, Louis Hasley, Tim Otting and Joe Constant and tight end Noah Clasen. 'We're never happy with them until we watch the film and have them grade themselves, too. Jay would be the first to give them credit.'

The special teams padded the lead when Cam Stovie returned a punt 52 yards for a score, making it 13-0. Dallas Klein added a 24-yard field goal to put the Saints up 16-0.

After a miscue on the opening kickoff of the third led to Marion's only touchdown, the Saints forced their own turnovers. Xavier grabbed two interceptions and recovered a pair of fumbles to break open the game.

Sean Murphy picked off a Gage Kray pass and returned it to the Marion 12. Kortemeyer rushed in from the 8 to make it 23-6 in the third.

'We're always looking to make plays on defense,' Murphy said. 'We try to take advantage of what they give us.'

'Turnovers are a huge boost,' Murphy said. 'We like to fire each other up and play good football.'

Xavier parlayed two fumble recoveries into 14 points. Schulte connected with senior Joe Welch on post patterns for scores of 45 and 26 yards. Welch, a senior, finished with 71 yards. He almost matched his season total in yards and doubled his TD count.

'Joe is a hard-working kid and put in a lot of time,' Schulte said. 'It was neat to see him have some success.'

The Saints face a quick turnaround, getting ready to try to match their runs of the last two seasons that ended in the state championship game. A lot of work will need to be done a short period of time.

'It gets contracted,' Schulte said. 'It's Saturday, but it's actually Monday. All the coaches that have been through this tells you everything gets condensed.'

Marion closed the season at 1-8, dropping the last eight games. He shared an emotional moment with each senior and credited them for their effort and fighting to the end.

'That is the story of this season,' Marion Coach Tony Perkins said. 'We were in pretty much every ball game. As soon as we got close, we'd start having fumbles and interceptions.'

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