HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Schulte legacy continues at Xavier

Editor's note: Here is your chance to tell your story about your team, your school or your favorite player. If you'd like to join The Gazette's growing list of high school contributors, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com

By Abby Willey, Xavier sophomore

CEDAR RAPIDS - "Do your job."

Anyone who has ever played Xavier football can tell you the significance of that quote. And if you ask freshman Bryce Schulte, this is exactly what he plans to do as he continues his football career at Xavier High School.

Schulte, son of head football coach Duane Schulte, and younger brother of second-team all-state quarterback Reggie Schulte, is one of the only freshman to ever play on the Xavier varsity football team. As a quarterback, he hopes to follow in his older brother's footsteps.

"That's a great question," Bryce said with a laugh when asked if he feels pressure to live up to Reggie's legacy. "I think the pressure will always be there, but he's supportive and gives me great advice."

Schulte was pulled from Xavier's student section during a varsity game one Friday night and asked to suit up and stand on the field alongside the 86 other Xavier football players because starting quarterback Quinton Scholer had an ankle injury.

"My mind went blank," Schulte said. "I felt all my emotions at the same time. I guess I was a little nervous, but excited too. I didn't know what to think."

Schulte's skills were shown in an away game against the Waterloo West Wahawks on Oct. 11. He completed a touchdown pass to senior Matt Nelson.

"Bryce is a really cool, humble guy," senior Landon Dochterman said. "He didn't crack under the pressure of playing varsity football as a freshman. It was really cool to show him what varsity football was all about.

"Schulte worked hard to earn playing time this year and plans to improve in his next three years.

And in the words of his coach (and father): "You get what you earn."