Cedar Rapids Xavier shuts out Linn-Mar, 16-0

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Duane Schulte is a novice chess player.

He will sit down for the occasional game with his youngest son, Quinn. His defensive coordinator, Jim O'Connell, on the other hand, doesn't have much for the board game on his farm.

'I do play and the one I play the most with is Quinn,” Schulte said with a laugh. 'I don't know if there are any heifers out there that play chess” with O'Connell.

O'Connell and the Class 3A second-ranked Saints defense made most of the right moves, getting contributions from special teams and an opportunistic offense for a 16-0 victory over Linn-Mar in prep football action Friday night at Saints Field.

The defense harassed Linn-Mar most of the night, tallying at least six sacks and forcing three turnovers.

'It depended on what they were trying to do each particular play and whatever Coach O'Connell was calling made a difference,” Schulte said. 'It depends on the down and distance of the situation. That's the chess match of playing football.”

Xavier built some momentum in a key three-play span near the end of the first quarter, starting with its second sack of the game.

Kyle Krezek sparked the Saints, bringing down Trot Carey for a 9-yard loss on third-and-six. More pressure allowed Xavier to get a hand on Carey's punt that went out of bounds at the Lions' 39.

On the first play of the ensuing series, Quinn Schulte hit Gabe Lux in stride deep down the seam for a 39-yard play-action pass. The Saints took a 7-0 lead with 2:25 left in the opening quarter and maintained into the half.

'It was big to put us in position,” Lux said. 'Coach had a great play call and Quinn put it right on the money.”

The Saints (2-0) had a similar turn of events in the third quarter. Two straight tackles for loss forced Linn-Mar to punt from its own 6. The snap went through the back of the end zone for a safety and a 9-0 lead.

The ensuing drive led to a second touchdown. Xavier went 55 yards on just five plays, closing with Joey Drahozal's 6-yard TD run with 3:28 left in the third. The play was set up by a 38-yard strike from Schulte to McClain Burger.

'You try to take advantage of whatever opportunities you get,” Schulte said. 'Those just presented themselves, so that's what we try to take.”

For the second straight week, Schulte did a little of everything for the Saints. He threw for 103 yards before the break, adding 26 on the ground. Schulte also picked off a pass in the second quarter.

'He's had two older brothers he has followed for years,” Schulte said. 'He has his own flavor of playing.”

When Carey had time to throw, the Lions' senior was effective at times, managing 84 yards including 54 to Aaron Nibaur.

Xavier's defense harassed Carey most of the game. The Saints only allowed less than 140 yards of total offense. McClain, Lux and Schulte each had interceptions.

'We just played really hard tonight,” Burger said. 'Our game plan was to go hard.”

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