Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Carter Hoffmann close career with memorable performance in Class 4A state football final

CEDAR FALLS – Carter Hoffmann provided an exclamation mark on the end of a successful high school football career.

One that included the nervous sophomore’s first start at Waverly-Shell Rock and closed with a marquee performance the last time he wore a Cedar Rapids Xavier jersey.

Hoffmann rushed for 207 yards and three first-half touchdowns, powering the top-ranked Saints to a 31-6 victory over No. 5 Pella in the Class 4A state championship game Thursday night at UNI-Dome. Hoffmann’s effort earned him the Star of the Game honor and Xavier claimed its fifth state title in school history.

“It just felt amazing,” Hoffmann said. “I just wanted to leave everything out there for my senior year, so I was very happy.”

Actually, Hoffmann’s career came full circled. His first credited varsity stats came in the 2022 semifinal win here against North Scott. He had two carries for two yards as a freshman when Xavier won its last title.

“Watching all the other teams win the championship,” Hoffmann said. “I just knew I want to be out here someday with all my teammates.”

Xavier Coach Duane Schulte has witnessed Hoffmann’s development. He has evolved into a selfless player with a team-first mentality.

“He’s grown to be a man, really,” Schulte said. “He’s a captain for us this year and his leadership has been phenomenal. He could have had stats upon stats but he’s a total team player, a great leader and I can’t say enough about him. I’m just so proud of him.”

Hoffmann did yeoman’s work, carrying the ball 34 times and averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Xavier quarterback Cash Parks wasn’t surprised by the workload. Xavier took what the Dutch were giving them.

“He’s one of the best in the state for a reason,” Parks said. “When you’re like that, we're just going to give you the ball, feed you and let you make plays.”

Hoffmann scorched the Dutch defense, running through lanes made by his offensive line. Hoffmann scored on runs of 5, 37 and 4 yards, powering the Saints to a 21-0 halftime edge.

His first TD rush capped a 12-play, 83-yard drive that ate 5:38 off the first-quarter clock.

“It's a little bit of relief, but we know we still got to keep the foot on the gas,” Hoffmann said. “Just keep going. We can't (let) up now.”

Hoffmann doubled Xavier’s lead with 9:30 left in the first half, showing some patience to get through the line of scrimmage and then bursting for his longest jaunt of the game.

“I just read the blocks from my lineman,” Hoffmann said. “I just saw all the open holes, so I just went to it.”

Hoffmann and Parks have been complementary weapons for the Saints’ offense. Teams focused on stopping the run are susceptible to Parks, who is the top passer in 4A. Key on the pass and Hoffmann make defenses pay, running for 1,339 yards and 19 touchdowns this year.

“He's just been consistent all season,” Parks said. “I know every time I hand the ball off to him, he's going to get six yards, running behind our great offensive line. That's just huge the whole season.”

Hoffmann finished his career with 2,643 yards and 30 touchdowns rushing, 863 yards and nine TDs on 70 receptions and even passed for 40 yards and two scores. Hoffmann amassed more than 3,500 yards and 41 TDs total, offensively.

Schulte recognized Hoffmann’s potential from the start and he proved Schulte right.

“He’s been a great athlete since his junior high days,” Schulte said. “He’s worked hard. Yeah, I saw it, to be honest. He’s a great athlete.”