HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: End of the line

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By Tyler Testin, Xavier sophomore

CEDAR RAPIDS - Outlined against the white-gray UNI-Dome roof, the Xavier football rode again into the Class 4A championship. This shot at redemption seemed fit for dramatic lore, but Xavier came up short for the second straight season.

It was a team effort to return to the final, but in the eyes of the casual fan, one side of the ball gets the glory.

Xavier received plenty of press throughout its consecutive state runner-up seasons. Many stories have been printed about the Saints' defense that allowed 68 points before West Des Moines Dowling's 44-13 rout of Xavier on Nov. 22.

Four Saints earned first-team all-state honors and one was a second-team choice. No Xavier offensive player made the list.

Arguably, the most under appreciated part of the team, the Saints' offensive line, did not just happen. It was the result of hours in the weight room and weekly drills throughout the summer.

Xavier starting quarterback Quinton Scholer recognizes the importance of his offensive line.

"They are all hard workers, and I made great memories with all of them," Scholer said.

Weighing in at nearly 1,200 pounds and standing a menacing 31 feet tall, this well-oiled machine plowed through the Mississippi Valley Conference Xavier's line put Saints running back Brendan Miller in the Top 10 in class 4A rushing yards.

According to Xavier offensive line coach Dave Sullivan, the Saints might not have the size in number of students or body weight to match rival schools, but rely on speed to get off the ball faster than opponents.

Another season snapped its final ball Nov. 22. And like a tree in the woods still making a sound when it falls when no one is around to care, the linemen still were there, blocking and trapping Xavier all the way to the finals.