City High's Washpun having breakthrough season rushing

IOWA CITY – Xavier Washpun is a tough kid. He's got the scar at the side of his left eye to prove it.

Back a few years ago, the Iowa City High running back got into a fight with his older brother, Isaiah. Brothers do that sometimes.

This example of not-so-brotherly love ended with Xavier making a visit to the hospital.

'I kicked my brother in the stomach, then I tried to run,' Washpun said. 'I was running away from him, and he pushed me into the wall. I got a huge cut. I was in, like, the third grade, I think. Thirty-six stitches.'

So did you ever get him back for what he did to you, Xavier?'

I got him first, that was his revenge,' he said with a smile. 'I just kind of left him alone after that.' He's been leaving opposing defenders alone this football season. Or maybe it's vice versa.

You get the point.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior leads the Mississippi Valley Conference in rushing heading into Friday night's 'Battle of the Boot' against Iowa City West at Bates Field. He has 1,050 yards and 13 touchdowns to help City High to what has been a rebound season of 5-1.

'Honestly he has just really blossomed, come into his own,' said City High Coach Dan Sabers. 'He had a really good offseason, taking care of himself … He's been healthy enough this season to get a chance and make the most of it. He's been better than I thought he'd be.'

You usually don't get coaches to admit stuff like that. Washpun was asked if he's been better than he thought he'd be, too.

'Just a little bit,' he said. 'I just wanted to run as hard as I could and see where it took me. It's been my blockers. They take a lot from Coach Sabers, so we all expect a lot from them. I just follow my blockers, move my feet, try not to be on the ground.'

Washpun was limited last season by a separated shoulder but hasn't had any issues with it or any other body part this season. City High went an uncharacteristic 4-6 in 2012 because of a plethora of injured players, more than Sabers ever could remember in his long coaching career.

A cousin of Northern Iowa basketball guard and former Cedar Rapids Washington all-stater Wes Washpun, Xavier has reached triple digits rushing in all six of his games, with a high of 219 (with two touchdowns) a couple of weeks ago against Dubuque Hempstead.

Last week, it was a mere 211-yard, three-TD performance.

'I'd say I'm an instinctive runner,' Washpun said. 'It's just all instincts. Whatever happens, happens. I usually don't control myself. I feel pressure, I'd say. It just seems like I see everything before it happens. Sometimes I just take the yardage the defense gives me. Sometimes I dance around and look for holes. If I've got time back there.'

'There have times this season where we stand there on the sideline and say 'Man, I'm glad we've got Xavier,'' Sabers said. 'He's pulled us out of some situations."

The hope is that pattern will continue Friday night.

'We just have to be tough, execute and try and play our best game,' Washpun said. 'I think this is probably the biggest game of the year. I'd say it's bigger than any playoff game that we're going to play. I'm sure most people and me want the boot back more than anything. More than a state championship.'