DUBUQUE – It was just another day at the office for the Cedar Rapids Xavier defense.

The Saints, who have not allowed a single point this season, kept the streak alive Friday with a 34-0 drubbing of winless Dubuque Hempstead at Dalzell Field.

Xavier (3-0), ranked No. 10 in Class 4A, posted its third shutout in as many games. The Saints limited Hempstead (0-3) to only 188 yards of total offense and eight first downs.

Xavier linebacker Jack Boland credited the team’s defensive line for allowing the second-level defenders opportunities to make plays.

"It makes it a lot easier for us as linebackers,” Boland said. “They got a great push up front.”

Boland and his first-string teammates were also pulling for the Saints’ scout team late in the fourth quarter.

The backup Saints held strong and kept Hempstead off the scoreboard, much to the delight of defensive coordinator Jim O’Connell.

“The scout team is the backbone of our program,” O’Connell said. “It’s good to see them rewarded for the hard work they put in.”

O’Connell preaches to his defense to swarm to the football. Most of the defensive plays the Saints made against Hempstead were a result of several helmets near the ball.

“We’ve tried to preach this year, and in prior years, that it’s important to do your job on defense,” Xavier coach Duane Schulte said. “So far this year, they’ve done it.

“Anytime you can get on the bus, go to another city in this league, and get a victory, that’s a major accomplishment. We respect Hempstead and its coaches. They made us earn it.”

Xavier’s offense was in high gear, as well. Quarterback Reggie Schulte threw for 245 yards and a touchdown. Corbin Woods was Schulte’s favorite target, grabbing five of his passes for 64 yards.

Jordan Weber was a deep threat for Schulte. Weber finished with a pair of catches for 119 yards.

Carter Valentine paced Xavier on the ground with 20 carries for 134 yards. Valentine accounted for three rushing touchdowns, while Logan Jones added another.

All told, Xavier tallied 387 yards of total offense and 13 first downs.

The road gets tougher Friday when the Saints host No. 2 Iowa City High. Xavier knows the threat the Little Hawks will pose.

“We’re just going to have to come prepared to practice every day,” Valentine said.

Coach Schulte added, “Any time you play City, it’s a measuring stick for your team."

XAVIER 34, HEMPSTEAD 0

CR Xavier                    7    14    13    0 – 34
Dubuque Hempstead    0     0     0     0 –  0

X – Carter Valentine 8 run (Chad Gilmer kick)
X – Logan Jones 1 run (Gilmer kick)
X – Valentine 17 run (Gilmer kick)
X – Jordan Hoffman 17 pass from Reggie Schulte (Gilmer kick)
X – Valentine 8 run (kick failed)

X            H
First downs            13           8
Rushes-yards        32-142    40-135
Passing yards        245          53
Passes                12-16-1    7-14-0
Penalties-yards      5-54        4-20
Fumbles-lost         1-1           2-0
Punts-avg.        4-38.5        6-30.6

Rushing
X – Valentine 20-134, Matt Hansen 1-7, Schulte 6-minus 6, Jones 2-4, Nick Hazelton 3-3.
H – Drew Wagner 7-43, Layton Fritsch 10-21, Peter Keleher 5-12, Jacob Hodge 4-5, Luke Ploessl 5-13, Graham Houselog 2-1, Mark Owens 3-15, Jesse Goedert 1-2, Zach Sabers 1-4.

Passing
X – Schulte 13-16-1, 245 yards.
H – Ploessl 6-12-0, 37 yards; Wagner 1-2-0, 14 yards.

Receiving
X – Jordan Weber 2-119, Corbin Woods 5-64, Kevin Hosch 1-10, Jones 1-7, Valentine 2-28, Hoffman 1-17.
H – Alex Smith 4-33, Connor Ehlers 2-16, Tyler Schaul 1-14.