Cedar Rapids Xavier dominates Clinton to return to winning ways

CEDAR RAPIDS – This was a game Cedar Rapids Xavier needed.

After a meat grinder of a schedule through four weeks, a dominant performance, a chance to rest key players and empty the bench for scout players to get game action was welcome.

“No game is ever easy,” Xavier Coach Duane Schulte said. “It was nice to be able to get a lead and build a little confidence.”

Class 4A No. 10 Xavier received three touchdown passes from backup quarterback Sam Schimberg, two rushing scores from Carter Hoffmann and a stifling defensive performance to snap a two-game losing streak with a 56-0 victory over Clinton Friday night at Saints Field.

“I have to give Clinton some credit for hanging in there,” Schulte said. “They gave us some challenges in the first quarter. It was good to build some confidence by overcoming some adversity, too.”

The Saints (3-2) were forced to overcome some hardship due to injury. They have been without starting QB Cash Parks since Week 2 and his backup Cohen Honkomp left this game due to injury in the first quarter.

Schimberg, who had played during the Western Dubuque game, was thrust into the role with the Saints ahead, 7-0, following Hoffmann’s 12-yard TD run on their first possession of the game.

The sophomore QB stepped in and stepped up, throwing a TD pass in three straight series in a 5:06 stretch of the second quarter.

“It was a last-minute thing,” Schimberg said about entering the game. “It wasn’t planned or anything. Initially, there was some nerves.”

Schimberg relaxed after he hit Will Forman on a screen pass that was turned into a 26-yard score and 14-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter.

“It relieved the pressure, for sure,” Schimberg said. “Credit to the line and Will for breaking that one.”

A Clinton fumble gave Xavier the ball at the River Kings 30. Three plays later, Schimberg demonstrated his mobility, rolling left and hitting Aiden Miller near the front pylon for a 10-yard TD.

“We work on it all the time in practice,” Schimberg said. “It’s one of the hardest throws.”

Schimberg added a 24-yard TD catch-and-run to Ryan Kelly for a 28-0 lead with 6:45 left before half.

“My coaches prepare me for that all week in practice weeks before,” Schimberg said. “With a great run game and the offensive line backing me up, I feel confident in moving the ball.”

Schimberg was a prime example of Xavier’s “next man in” approach. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 82 yards. He could see more action as Honkomp’s status is unknown and Parks remains day-to-day, according to Schulte.

“He got a bunch of reps all summer,” Schulte said. “He gets in the weight room and does all the things we ask guys to do in the offseason. But, without our linemen and fullback Dusty Cook blocking and Carter running hard, it doesn’t happen.”

Hoffmann added a 5-yard TD run for a 35-0 halftime lead, enacting a running clock with 3:20 left before the break. Hoffmann finished with 110 yards on 11 carries.

Will Forman added a 48-yard TD run on the second play of the third to make it 42-0. Sam Lueck added a 21-yard rushing score in the fourth. The Saints finished with about 365 offensive yards, while allowing only 52.

Xavier’s defense stymied the River Kings (1-4). The Saints didn’t allow a single first down until the third. They forced five total turnovers, including three fumble recoveries. The turnovers gave the offense short fields, parlaying them into 28 points.

“It was huge to set the tone early on,” Linebacker Beau Morio said. “it was a hard-fought win. Everyone contributed to the win.”

Schulte said the defense made a huge impact. It produced its own points as well. Andrew Renner pounced on a Clinton fumble in the end zone, making it 49-0 with 3:01 left in the third.

“It’s awesome,” Morio said. “It’s great to put points on the board when you’re on defense.

“It is fun getting things you don’t normally get like fumbles and interception.”

The Saints return to the meat grinder, traveling to No. 8 North Scott next week.

It all starts in practice,” Morio said. “We will be dialed in all practice long. Do everything that will get us prepared for next week.

“It’s going to be a big game. We’re excited.”

Cedar Rapids Xavier 56, Clinton 0

AT SAINTS FIELD

CLIN CRX

First Downs 5 17

Rushes-yards 27-18 33-262

Passing yards 34 99

Comp-att-int 7-13-2 7-12-0

Total yards 52 361

Fumbles-lost 5-3 3-2

Punts-avg. 6-26.0 1-28.0

Penalties-yards 6-60 4-35

Clinton 0 0 0 0 -- 0

C.R. Xavier 7 28 14 7 -- 56

CRX – Carter Hoffmann 12 run (Owen Vasquez kick)

CRX – Will Forman 26 pass from Sam Schimberg (Vasquez kick)

CRX – Aiden Miller 10 pass from Schimberg (Vasquez kick)

CRX – Ryan Kelly 24 pass from Schimberg (Vasquez kick)

CRX – Hoffmann 5 run (Vasquez kick)

CRX – Forman 48 run (Vasquez kick)

CRX – Andrew Renner 0 fumble return (Vasquez kick)

CRX – Sam Lueck 21 run (Vasquez kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Clinton: Ethan Carpenter 9-36, Nolan Eggers 7-15, Konnor Schroeder 1-4, Team 3-(minus 13), Jaxon Spooner 7-(minus 24). C.R. Xavier: Hoffmann 11-110, Forman 2-55, Lueck 3-32, Anthony Trotta 4-25, Dusty Cook 2-17, Rex Komenda 4-14, Schimberg 2-10, Kelso Brueck 3-2, Team 1-0, Kelly 1-(minus 3).

PASSING – Clinton: Carpenter 3-4-0-21, Spooner 4-9-2-13. C.R. Xavier: Schimberg 5-8-0-82, Lueck 2-2-0-17, Cohen Honkomp 0-2-0-0.

RECEIVING – Clinton: Schroeder 2-14, Marshall Johnson 2-11, Brady Kurtz 2-11, Carpenter 1-(minus 2). C.R. Xavier: Jack Downey 2-29, Kelly 2-24, Forman 1-26, Miller 1-10, Roman Carter 1-10.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com