Metro Sports Report

No.16 Eagles fall at SCC, 91-80

Sat - 16 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

WEST BURLINGTON - The 16th-ranked Kirkwood Eagles lost to Southeastern Community College, 91-80, in a foul-plagued men's basketball game Saturday in West Burlington.

The officials called 60 fouls in the 40-minute contest, including 35 on Kirkwood. Three Eagles fouled out.

J.C. Fuller led Kirkwood (4-2) with 21 points. A.J. Lawton and Joe Tagarelli scored 16 points. Myzeah Batie-Gaddy added 13.

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Alec Marsh (white jersey) of Cedar Rapids sends a pass to teammate Andrew Oglevie for a second period goal and a 3-1 lead Saturday night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. The RoughRiders won, 4-1. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

RoughRiders rout Dubuque, 4-1

Sat - 16 Nov Written by Ryan Suchomel

It was a fun family weekend for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, and they wrapped it up with a 4-1 win over Dubuque Saturday night.

The win is the RoughRiders' sixth straight at home, and improves their record to 11-3-1, putting them ahead of the Fighting Saints (10-4-1) in the Eastern Conference.

"We don't get real into that," RoughRider Coach Mark Carlson said of the standings. "But when there are two points available, we want to fight the battle for them."

It was the first weekend of the season Cedar Rapids hosted two home games, and many players had relatives in town for a 3-2 shootout win over Fargo Friday, and then the win over Dubuque on Saturday.

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Xavier's Wes Gardner (27) races back upfield for a touchdown after intercepting a Bettendorf pass in the second quarter of Friday's Class 4A semifinal game at the UNI-Dome. Gardner scored three touchdowns to lead the Saints to a 31-7 win and back to the state championship game. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Gardner's 3 TDs spark Saints to 4A final

Fri - 15 Nov Written by Jim Ecker

CEDAR FALLS - Wes Gardner has not shaved in several weeks, giving the Xavier High School senior a reddish-brown beard and a certain glow to his face.

It's a superstition that's coincided with the Class 4A playoffs. After what happened Friday night, there's no reason to grab his razor now.

Gardner scored three touchdowns in three distinct aspects of the game as the fourth-ranked Saints spanked No.10 Bettendorf, 31-7, in the semifinals at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Gardner tallied on a 17-yard interception return, a 4-yard run from scrimmage and a 63-yard punt return to spark the Saints into the state championship game next Friday night in the Dome.

Xavier (12-1) will face top-ranked Dowling Catholic (13-0) at 7:06 p.m. Friday for the title.

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Xavier's Ryan Persick (10) prepares to punt the football during Friday night's Class 4A semifinal game against Bettendorf at the UNI-Dome. Persick kicked a field goal, four extra points, punted nine times for a 42.2 average and made two clutch tackles on kick returns to help the Saints to a 31-7 win. (Photo by Margaret O''Banion)

Persick gets his kicks (and tackles)

Fri - 15 Nov Written by Jim Ecker

CEDAR FALLS - Ryan Persick is not one of those kickers who ducks for cover after he boots the ball.

He's willing to sacrifice his body when the situation occurs, just like everybody else who plays football for the Xavier Saints.

Persick had a big night for the Saints Friday as they topped Bettendorf, 31-7, in the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs.

Persick drilled a 37-yard field goal, went 4-for-4 on PATs, punted nine times for a 42.2-yard average, executed a perfect coffin-corner kick that bounced out of bounds at the 1-yard line, and belted a pair of kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.

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