HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Secret ingredients to Xavier's football success

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By Meghan Joens, Xavier sophomore

CEDAR RAPIDS - Almost every great recipe has a secret ingredient.

The Xavier High School football team last fall had four "secret ingredients" - Nick Stark, Bryce Charipar, Sean Murphy and Joe Constant. These sophomores were moved up to the varsity team just before the first playoff game and helped the Saints reach the challenge of the championship game in the UNI Dome on Nov. 22.

"Last year, we just asked the whole sophomore team if they wanted to take the time and effort to practice with us for the playoff games," Xavier Coach Duane Schulte said. "This year, since we have so many players, the coaches all agreed that these particular boys would take the most benefit out of moving up."

The four sophomores got a chance to show off their skills in the practices, worked to become better players and, in time, the upperclassmen came to accept them as a part of their family.

"At first, they were really intimidating," Stark said. "But, as the practices and games went on, they not only started to treat me like a varsity player, but like a friend and a teammate."

The four had to not only get along with their new teammates, but ultimately had to sacrifice their time and their skills to aid the team in getting to the Dome.

Although the key players receive a lot of credit, most fans don't notice the players behind the scenes - that secret ingredient.The sophomores all agreed it was hard work getting to the Dome, but once they got there, the experience was surreal.