Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Michael Cunningham evolves into one of Class 4A’s top running backs

CEDAR RAPIDS — It wasn’t a question meant to stump him. It really wasn’t a question at all.

Describe yourself as a running back, Michael Cunningham. Go.

“Umm,” the Cedar Rapids Xavier senior replied, contemplating the request. “I mean, I’m going to run hard and hit the holes for the linemen, so their blocks don’t go to waste.”

A hard runner. That is the first thing you think of when you watch Cunningham.

At a listed 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, the kid has the size to make running hard an effective thing. He leads third-ranked Xavier (11-0) in rushing and is fifth in Class 4A going into Thursday’s night state playoff semifinal game against No. 7 North Scott at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Cunningham has 1,333 yards, averaging 7.7 per carry. He had 173 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in Xavier’s quarterfinal win last week over Indianola.

“I mean, I think so,” he said, when asked if he feels he’s a better player than a year ago and in what ways. “I think I’m just more knowledgeable about the game. The moving parts of it, formation wise, all that. The pace, I’m probably playing a little quicker. Last year, I was probably still adjusting to the speed of varsity football. This year, (it’s) just kind of being used to it.”

“He’ll be the first to credit his offensive line and blockers,” said Xavier Coach Duane Schulte. “But Michael is one tough kid. He gets what he earns, too.”

As if on cue, Cunningham did, in fact, go out of his way to compliment his blockers.

“Obviously, it’s a team, so the line is obviously very important for me,” he said. “The line is important for the whole team, really. We kind of go as far as they take us. Everybody is blocking: fullback, wide receivers downfield, that’s also very important for me, too.”

Cunningham shared tailback time last season for Xavier (587 yards, seven touchdowns) but has been unquestionably the top guy this season. He also starts at linebacker for the Saints and is fifth on the team in tackles.

Xavier coaches laud his work ethic, pointing out how he didn’t miss any summer offseason weight-training sessions at the school. Those begin at 5:45 a.m., by the way.

That’s a commitment.

“We don’t have to be. We get to be (there at 5:45),” Cunningham said. “I wouldn’t say (it’s tough). I kind of just enjoy it, embrace the grind a little bit. Getting up that early isn’t hard, especially when you’ve got teammates like I do, that are in there with you. It’s kind of a family atmosphere. You know you’re going to see the same guys every morning, so that makes it easier.”

Thursday night will be a rematch game for Xavier. The Saints blanked North Scott (10-2) way back in September, 17-0.

Is that important? Guess everyone will find out.

“I don’t think it matters,” Cunningham said. “That was in the past, so I think like any good football team, you get better week to week, just like we’ve been doing.

“I feel like we’ve worked hard and gotten better each week. We’ve taken a step each week.”

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