Xavier Football

Xavier's Persick joining Minnesota State

Ryan Persick, an all-state placekicker and punter for the Xavier Saints, has signed a national letter-of-intent with Minnesota State.

Persick kicked 22 field goals and 120 PATs for the Saints and was an instrumental part of their march to the Class 4A state finals in 2012 and 2013. He set five school records with his accurate kicking and averaged 42.2 yards as a punter this past season.

Persick was named second team all-state as a placekicker in 2012 and was named first team all-state as a punter in 2013.

Schulte, O'Connell honored by IFCA

Duane Schulte of Xavier High School has been named the 2013 4A Coach of the Year by the Iowa Football Coaches Association (IFCA).

This is the second time Schulte has received the award, the first time coming after a 4A state championship in 2006.

Xavier assistant coach Jim O’Connell was named the 2013 IFCA 4A Assistant Coach of the Year.

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Turner commits to Wyoming football

Xavier High School offensive lineman Cole Turner has committed to play football at the University of Wyoming, according to the Iowa Prep Sports website.

Turner, 6-4, 275, helped the Saints make two straight trips to the championship game of the Class 4A playoffs in 2012 and 2013.

Craig Bohl, who led North Dakota State to the FCS national title in 2011 and 2012, is the new head coach at Wyoming.

Turner is also a successful wrestler at Xavier. He is ranked seventh in Class 3A at 285 pounds.

Vega commits to Illinois State

Xavier High School defensive tackle Daniel Vega has committed to Illinois State, according to a story on the Iowa Prep Sports website.

Vega helped the Saints compile a 12-2 record this season and reach the championship game in the Class 4A playoffs.

He said he'll attend Illinois State unless he gets an offer from an FBS school. Illinois State is an FCS school that competes in the Missouri Valley Conference.