The Schultes: Dad, son; coach, QB

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Is he Coach? Or is he Dad?"I call him Dad," Cedar Rapids Xavier quarterback Reggie Schulte said about his on-field relationship with dad/coach Duane Schulte. "I asked him first what he wanted me to call him. He said he didn't care."To me, it's weird calling him anything other than Dad."So, Dad it is.It's a tricky thing being the son of a coach. There are advantages ("Being around the program so long, I know the ins and outs," Reggie said) and disadvantages ("Sometimes it seems he's looking over my shoulder all the time").For Duane -- or Dad, or Coach -- it's a joy ride, and not just because of his son."It's fun coaching your son," he said. "What's even more fun is coaching your son's friends. A lot of these guys have been playing in my backyard since they've been in third grade. They're the reason my backyard is a dirt pad instead of grassy."And now, they're the guys trying to help Xavier re-establish itself as the class of the Metro.Xavier was 5-5 last season in what Coach Schulte called "a very trying year."We played a lot of good teams, and we couldn't get the job done. That's a credit to the MVC."It's a fall in which five Metro teams -- Xavier, Kennedy, Linn-Mar, Washington and vastly improved Prairie -- should be very close in terms of talent."When that's the case, you have to give the edge to the team that has a returning quarterback," said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth. "That's why Xavier has the advantage."Reggie Schulte earned the starting job as a junior, and delivered. He completed 114 of 174 passes (65.5 percent) for 1,501 yards and 12 touchdowns (against nine interceptions).He'll be expected to help carry an offense that lost its top three rushers to graduation. Cal Stovie is the top returning ground gainer; he netted 55 yards last season.Xavier is known traditionally for its discipline, its physical play and its line. "We hope to live up to that reputation," said senior lineman Seth Fahnle. "We want to stay on the same page, do our job and get off the ball quickly."Schulte has 111 victories in his 18 years, and he's barely the winningest coach on his staff. Volunteer assistant Craig Jelinek was 106-96 in 25 years at Cedar Rapids Prairie.Jelinek retired after 2010 season, spent a year away from coaching, then joined Schulte's staff."One reason I'm here is because of Duane and (assistant) Jim (O'Connell)," Jelinek said. "Another reason is the work ethic of the Xavier kids. They have high expectations -- really high expectations."Jelinek will work primarily with tight ends and defensive backs."He has a lot of nice little tidbits," Coach Schulte said. "He'll incorporate a lot of ideas, and he has a good scheme of things."Xavier opens Aug. 24 against Saints Field against Dubuque Hempstead. 

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER, at a glance

Coach: Duane Schulte (19th year, 111-70; 15th year at Xavier, 87-56)

Last year's record: 5-5 overall, 4-2 MVC Mississippi Division (3rd), 4A playoffs first round

Key losses: OL/DL Josh Nelson, WR/DB Jordan Weber, RB/DB Carter Valentine

Key returners: QB Reggie Schulte, RB/DB Cal Stovie, WR/DB Corbin Woods, LB Craig Murtha

Key to making playoffs: Get out of the gate fast. The schedule lends itself to at least three wins in the first four games. Do what Xavier does -- play disciplined, physical football.

Game to watch: Sept. 7, at Cedar Rapids Prairie. The Saints should be 2-0 and receive their first true test at John Wall Field, and it's a homecoming for volunteer assistant Craig Jelinek.

Schedule (*MVC Valley Division game):Aug. 24 -- Dubuque Hempstead, homeAug. 30 -- at Cedar Rapids JeffersonSept. 7 -- at Cedar Rapids Prairie*Sept. 14 -- Dubuque Wahlert*, homeSept. 21 -- Cedar Rapids Kennedy, homeSept. 27 -- at Cedar Rapids Washington*Oct. 5 -- Waterloo West*, homeOct. 12 -- at Cedar Falls*Oct. 19 -- Linn-Mar*, home

Roster:1 Nick Drahozal, jr.2 Levi Miller, jr.3 Chris Ball, jr.4 Hunter Baldes, jr.5 Josh Iams, jr.6 Parker Tow, sr.7 Jacob Wallerstedt, sr.8 Nolan Even, jr.9 Quinton Scholer, jr.10 Ryan Persick, jr.11 Reggie Schulte, sr.12 Colin O'Connell, jr.14 Corbin Woods, sr.15 Bryce Grimm, jr.17 Nick Hazelton, sr.18 Matt Sander, jr.20 Adam Millsap, jr.21 Kevin Feeney, jr.22 Kory Donithan, sr.23 Zach Brown, sr.24 Nick Robinson, jr.25 Brandan Miller, jr.26 Francisco Garcia, sr.27 Wes Gardner, jr.28 Cal Stovie, sr.29 Nick Steingreaber, sr.30 Taylor Malloy, jr.31 Mitch Kellen, sr.32 Daniel Vega, jr.33 Nick Durin, jr.35 Luke Hammerberg, sr.36 Ben Valentine, jr.37 Logan Jones, sr.39 Alex Cunningham, sr.40 Sean Ickes, jr.41 Trey Sampson, sr.42 Landon Dochterman, jr.43 Ryan Meaney, sr.44 Jim Moore, sr.45 Craig Murtha, sr.46 Logan Clarahan, jr.48 Shane Herder, sr.49 James Krouse, sr.50 Jake Robinson, jr.51 Ben Helms, sr.52 Emeliano Martinez, sr.53 Austin Gloede, jr.54 Eric Schemmel, sr.55 Drew Scott, sr.56 Seth Fahnle, sr.57 Josh Hewitt, sr.59 Logan Santel, jr.60 David Kirpes, sr.62 Harrison Daubitz, jr.63 Luke Decker, jr.64 Hunter Hayes, jr.66 Paul Cavin, sr.67 Ben Charipar, jr.68 Nick Brady, jr.69 Joe Worden, jr.71 Andrew Khairallah, jr.72 Matt Thorsteinson, sr.73 Matt Flaherty, jr.75 Tristen Scallon, sr.76 Cole Turner, jr.77 Gino Berutti, jr.80 John Loecher, jr.81 Patrick Mullin, sr.82 Frank Hill, jr.84 Matt Nelson, jr.86 Miles Sullivan, jr.89 John Richardson, sr.92 Eric Ryberg, sr.93 Keegan Thompson, sr.