Xavier Football

Nelson picks his college (he'll tell Thursday)

Matt Nelson plans to pick up his phone Thursday and call Iowa, Notre Dame or Stanford with the good news that he's accepted their offer to play football at their school.

He does not plan any press conferences at Xavier High School or any major announcements. Just a phone call to the winner will take care of it.

"Just a simple phone call," he said Tuesday evening. "I'm not into the elaborate announcements that people do. I'm not going to do anything fancy. I was offered a press conference, but I'm already going to get enough press attention."

Nelson is a 6-foot-8, 250-pound defensive end who became one of the most sought-after football players in Iowa this spring. He's an all-state player with a terrific frame, quick feet, great instincts and a love for the game. He also sports a 4.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale and wants to become a doctor.

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Schulte will join UNI football program

Xavier High School quarterback Reggie Schulte has accepted an invitation to join the University of Northern Iowa football team as a preferred walk-on.

Schulte helped the Saints compile a 13-1 record and reach the championship game of the Class 4A playoffs this fall. He was named all-state by the Iowa Newspaper Association, the Des Moines Register and IowaPreps.com and has been selected for the 2013 Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star game.

Schulte passed for 2,501 yards and 37 touchdowns with only eight interceptions this past season and broke numerous school records.

Three other members of the Xavier football team have committed to college programs as well.

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It's a snap! Scott headed to Kansas State

Drew Scott has an unusual ability.

He can bend his knees, squat down, grab a football, look between his legs and snap the ball to a teammate who's stationed behind him, knowing a defensive lineman is getting ready to bowl him over the instant he lets go.

Scott did it time after time after time for the Xavier Saints this past season on their path to the championship game of the Class 4A playoffs.

He did it on PATs, he did it on field goals, he did it on punts.

Scott did it so well, in fact, that the fifth-ranked Kansas State Wildcats have invited him to join their football team next season as a snapper for their special teams as well.

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Saints claim 7 spots on all-state teams

The Iowa Newspaper Association all-state football team has a strong Metro flavor this year with 17 players from Cedar Rapids and Marion on the squad, the INA announced Tuesday.

The Xavier Saints claimed seven spots on the Class 4A INA all-state team. Corbin Woods (receiver), Seth Fahnle (offensive line), Matt Nelson (defensive line) and Trey Sampson (defensive back) were named to the first team. Reggie Schulte (quarterback), Ryan Persick (kicker) and Craig Murtha (linebacker) were selected for the second team.

The Prairie Hawks and Kennedy Cougars claimed three berths on the Class 4A honor squad.

Prairie placed Cam Rathje (linebacker) on the first team. Jarred Edmonds (receiver) and Mitch Dellamuth (defensvie back) made the second team.

Kennedy put Alex Hillyer (running back) on the first team. Austin Holzer (offensive line) and Brock Skow (punter) were honored on the second unit.

Linn-Mar claimed one spot on the Class 4A second team with Justin Green (offensive line).

The Marion Indians garnered three spots on the Class 3A honor squad. Andrew Davis (defensive line) made the first team. Ethan Herren (tight end) and Zach Borens (offensive line) were named to the second squad.