Xavier’s district debut is a dandy

CEDAR RAPIDS — So you thought Cedar Rapids Xavier would drop down a class and overmatch its new competition?

The opening piece of evidence supports your argument.

Dylan Eller got the Saints going with an interception for a touchdown, and second-ranked Xavier allowed just four first downs in a 28-0 conquest of No. 3 Solon in a Class 3A District 4 football game Friday night at Saints Field.

Xavier (2-1 overall, 1-0 district) had been a 4A football program and a member of the Mississippi Valley Conference since its birth in 1998. But the Iowa High School Athletic Association did away with conference football for the 4A schools, and Xavier's enrollment allowed it to play at the 3A level.

'We just treat it the same way,' said Jay Kortemeyer, who rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown. 'Class 4A or 3A, football is football.'

And winning is winning. Xavier did a lot of it the past two years, reaching the 4A state final in 2012 and 2013. Its district debut in its new class was a blast.

Four different players scored touchdowns, Xavier built a 21-0 halftime lead and outgained the Spartans (2-1, 0-1) by a 335-111 margin.

Solon had the first threat of the game, driving into the Xavier red zone after recovering a fumble. But the Saints held, and momentum swung.

Xavier's subsequent possession ended at the Solon 38 due to a motion penalty, but the punt died at the Solon 5. On the Spartans' second play, Eller intercepted Solon quarterback Brandan Childs at the 25 and raced down the sideline for a score.

'The defense was doing its job,' Eller said. 'The line put pressure on the quarterback, then the team led me to the end zone.'

Xavier ruled the rest of the first half.

Bryce Schulte's 21-yard bootleg for touchdown made it 14-0, then Kortemeyer capped a productive half with a 6-yard scoring jaunt to give the Saints a 21-0 advantage with 8:18 left in the half.

A 32-yard halfback pass from Blake Whitten to Matt Downey set up the Saints' third score.

Nic Ekland, a fullback who helped opened the holes for Kortemeyer, joined the party with a 34-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter.

The Saints were dominant, but not perfect. They lost a pair of fumbles and committed 11 penalties for 64 yards.

Solon was without its top running back, Brandon Kramer, due to injury. Colton Hansel was the Spartans' feature back and netted 38 yards on 16 carries.

Xavier is at DeWitt Central next week; Solon hosts Marion.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com