The Xavier Saints opened the 2012 football season at home Friday against Dubuque Hempstead and in a very business-like fashion put them away, 48-7.

Defense was the word for the Saints on opening night. The defense gave up only nine rushing yards on 18 carries and forced two fumbles and three interceptions.

“The scout team gave us the best prep for this game,” said Saints linebacker Emiliano Martinez. “The hard work paid off and our defense cares for each other. We pick each other up and that makes
us a solid unit.”

It was an impressive start.

“Give credit to my assistant coaches,” said Xavier Coach Duane Schulte. “They put in a bunch of time and the kids buy in. I'm sure we made some mistakes, but it was a good place to start.”

On offense, Cal Stovie was the horse for the first three quarters by carrying the ball 17 times for 142 yards. Reggie Schulte complemented the running game by completing 14 of 19 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns.

Stovie, Bryce Grimm, Jim Moore, Daniel Vega, Corbin Woods, Brendan Miller and Nick Steingreaber each scored a touchdown for Xavier.

“We need to get better at some things, but we put together a couple of drives and our line really did their job,” said Reggie Schulte. “We had a lot of guys score in tonight’s game.”

It was a strong beginning for the senior quarterback.

“It is awesome to have your son playing quarterback and you get to coach his friends, but honestly, all the credit goes to Sherry (Coach Schulte’s wife). She takes care of us all,” the coach said.

“Our running backs looked good and so did our line, but we have to get a lot better by next week and each week to be ready for a playoff opportunity.”

The Saints will face Jefferson at Kingston Stadium on Thursday night.

Dubuque Hempstead’s lone score came with 7:14 left in the first quarter. Drew Wagner connected with Chris Ball on a 69-yard pass play that set up a six-yard touchdown pass from Wagner to Matt Zenner.

After that point, Hempstead’s offense ceased to be a factor in the game.

XAVIER 48, HEMPSTEAD 7

HEMP      XAV

First Downs         6           22
Rushing            18-9    44-277
Passing yards        131            194
Fumbles/Lost        2/2      1/1

Hempstead        7   0   0   0  - 7
Xavier           14   7   13  14 - 48

CRX - Reggie Schulte 8 pass to Bryce Grimm (Ryan Persick kick)
DH  - Drew Wagner 6 pass to Matt Zenner (Bailey Paulsen kick)
CRX - Schulte 15 pass to Jim Moore (Persick kick)
CRX - Daniel Vega 4 run (Persick kick)
CRX - Cal Stovie 10 run (kick failed)
CRX - Schulte 14 pass to Corbin Woods (Persick kick)
CRX - Brendan Miller 1 run (Persick kick)
CRX - Nick Steingreaber 15 run (Persick kick)

Xavier Statistics

Rushing
Stovie 17-142, Jones 7-19, Miller 7-41, Hammerberg 3-23, Schulte 3-21, Vega 1-4, Donithan 2-9, Scholer 1-5, Woods 1-13, Steingreaber 2-15.

Passing
Schulte 14 for 19, 194 yards.

Receiving
Jones 1-19, Woods 3-36, Vega 1-10, Moore 3-57, Grimm 5-52, Nelson 1-6.