HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Saints learn from wins and losses

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By Shannon Mulcahey, Xavier senior

CEDAR RAPIDS - The end result is not what matters most.

Coaches and players can always learn something from any experience, whether through practices or games.

This is the mind-set of the Cedar Rapids Xavier football coaches and players.

'I don't believe a loss is always a good thing because you can learn from both wins and losses,' Coach Duane Schulte said. 'In a win or a loss, you can go back and try to correct the mistakes committed, which is what matters.'

The Saints played against Cedar Rapids Washington on Oct. 4, hoping to come away with a homecoming victory. Instead, they lost, 26-0, their first regular-season loss since 2011.

The game originally was set for 7 p.m., but weather reports suggested it would be better to move the game up in the sophomore game slot at 5 p.m.

'The loss has definitely put us in our place and showed us exactly how hard we're going to have to work this season to be where we want to be,' senior punter Ryan Persick said.

Persick put the Saints on the board with a field goal in the second quarter after Washington had build at 14-0 lead. Senior quarterback Quinton Scholer passed the ball to senior Frank Hill, and with the extra point, the Saints made it 26-10 later in the second half. Xavier scored a touchdown with six minutes 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

'We erased it (the loss) from our memory and we just plan to focus on the game,' Scholer said.

The Saints bounced back against the Waterloo West Wahawks on Oct. 11, winning  40-14.

'We want to get better every game,' Schulte said. 'We have had the same mind-set for 20 years. We need to stay focused whether it is a win or a loss, and we have to keep steady and solid so we can improve.'

In a two-minute span in the first quarter against West, the Saints scored two touchdowns. The team was able use all  three quarterbacks - Scholer, junior Sam Tursi and freshman Bryce Schulte.

'I was not really that nervous playing in my first varsity game," Schulte said. "I practice with the players and so I was comfortable down on the field. The atmosphere of a varsity game is different than that of a freshman game. The plays are a lot quicker.'

Schulte threw a touchdown pass to senior Matt Nelson in the third quarter, giving the Saints a 40-0 lead. Senior Brendan Miller finished with 142 rushing yards in the game. Persick made a 37-yard field goal and went 6-for -6 on kicks.

'Winning a game takes total team commitment,' Persick said.

The Saints host  Cedar Falls in a 'Future Saints Night' game tonight, kicking off at 7 p.m.