Second-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier rolls Davenbport Assumption, 52-20

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Xavier was stunned with a haymaker on the second play of the game.

The Saints responded with some big blows of their own and a number of jabs, knocking Davenport Assumption out of the playoffs.

Second-ranked Xavier scored touchdowns on its first six series of the game and rolled to a 52-20, victory over the Knights in a Class 3A first-round playoff game Friday night at Saints Field.

Assumption took a 6-0 advantage when Justus Burke bolted 58 yards for a score on the second play of the game. After that it was all Saints, who scored 45 consecutive first-half points. Xavier (10-0) learned from their past experiences.

'Our guys had been in that situation before, so they knew what their reaction should be,' Xavier Coach Duane Schulte said. 'I have to give our guys credit for not hanging their heads and come back firing.'

'We know we have to score to win anyway,' Xavier wideout Nolan Butkowski said. 'We had to get after on offense and do what we do best and that is doing our job.'

Everything seemed to work. Maliki Wilson broke big runs with three touchdowns before the break. Bryce Schulte completed his first five passes, including deep balls to Butkowski and Josh Gerke and Gerke helped win field position with big punt returns.

'It was all clicking,' Wilson said. 'When it clicks, once we get rolling, that momentum swing helps us a lot.'

Gerke set up an Erik Rodriguez 1-yard TD in the second quarter and Shane Scott's 19-yard field goal for a 45-6 lead with three seconds before the break.

'It really worked out well tonight,' Gerke said. 'We got a good return and everyone got a good block, going downfield.'

Wilson helped the Saints answer the opening score, capping a three-play drive with a 4-yard TD run. He also added a 70-yard scamper that was sprung by a seal block from receiver Brett Burns, making it 21-6 with 5:15 left in the first.

'I juked in and he just laid a guy out,' Wilson said about Burns' block. 'I just heard a big clash right behind me. I looked back to see if anyone was there and just went down the sideline.'

He also added a 7-yd score in the second quarter for a 42-6 edge. Wilson finished 227 yards and four TDs, scoring on a 62-yard run on the second play of the second half. The four rushing TDs in a game ties a school record he already held with Brendan Miller (2013) and Will Martin (2006). He also has 1,662 rushing yards this season, needing 41 yards to eclipse Martin's record of 1,702 total rushing yards in a season (2006).

Schulte had the touch in the first half, hitting Gerke for a 67 gain to set up Wilson's first score.

He connected on two scoring strikes to Butkowski. The first was a 14-yard slant pass. The second was a 65-yard bomb, putting the Saints up 28-6.

'It displayed our trust in each other,' Butkowski said. 'Working with Bryce a lot. The scout team has been great, helping us prepare. I'm blessed to have Bryce as my quarterback.'

Schulte ended with 171 yards in the air, breaking the career passing yardage record set by his older brother, Reggie Schulte (4,002 in 2011-12), Bryce Schulte has 4,060 career passing yards. He had plenty of time to throw Friday night.

'I have to give the offensive line credit for giving some protection and those guys made some nice plays, too,' Duane Schulte said. 'I'll put on my coach hat instead of dad hat and give Bryce some credit. He put it where it needed to be.'

Burke finished with 158 rushing yards and three TDs for Assumption (7-3). The Saints starting defense kept him and the Knights offense in check most of the game. They bounced back after getting burned early, limiting Assumption to just 16 passing yards.

'We just tried to refocus and not make the situation bigger than what it was,' Gerke said. 'We reminded ourselves we could hang with anyone and come back at them.'

Xavier will host Waverly-Shell Rock next week. The Go-Hawks beat West Delaware, 28-14. The Saints won, 42-0, at Waverly-Shell on Oct. 17. Xavier rested starters after Wilson's touchdown to start the second half, getting reserves valuable experience.

'That's one thing we talked about when we got up,' Schulte said. 'We wanted to keep the clock running and get those guys in to play and keep it running so we could get this over with and get ready for the next one.'

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