Xavier High School - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Saints trim Cougars in MSR Classic

While the basketball season officially tips off for them next week, both the Xavier and Kennedy boys were still feeling the effects of football in their hardcourt matchup Saturday at the MetroSportsReport.com Pride Challenge at Johnson Hall.

Several Saints who may be starters sat on the sidelines since they've barely practiced after playing in last week's gridiron state championship. As for the Cougars, their few football players played but were still a tad rusty switching suddenly from one sport to another.

The game itself on the Kirkwood Community College campus sometimes had a scrum-like feel to it as 41 fouls were called, and each team made more free throws than field goals.

Xavier won it, 54-47, with a furious fourth-quarter comeback, mostly because nine of its 14 baskets came from 3-point range.

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Nelson, Vega top all-state football

Matt Nelson and Daniel Vega of Xavier High School have been named to the Des Moines Register Elite All-State Football Team on the defensive line.

Nelson and Vega also were named first team all-state in Class 4A on the Register's 100th all-state squads. Xavier kicker Ryan Persick was named second team all-state in Class 4A as a punter.

The Saints finished 12-2 this season and reached the championship game of the Class 4A playoffs. Nelson, Vega and Persick are seniors.

Kennedy junior Terrance Hall was named second team all-state in Class 4A at linebacker.

Prairie junior Bryce Meeker was named second team all-state in Class 4A on the offensive line.

Saints, Cougars, Warriors crack rankings

Xavier, Kennedy and Washington have made the rankings in the first IGHSAU basketball poll of the season.

The Saints, who won the Class 4A state title last year, are ranked No.3 in the initial poll this season.

The Cougars are ranked No.9 in Class 5A and the Warriors are ranked No.10 in Class 5A.

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No.1 Dowling too strong for Saints, 44-13

CEDAR FALLS - Years from now, or perhaps sooner, the Xavier Saints will truly appreciate what they accomplished the past two years with a 25-3 record and two straight trips to the Class 4A championship game.

Right now, however, the emotions are a little raw, the sting a little too sharp.

Dowling quarterback Ryan Boyle picked the Saints apart Friday night with one of the most sensational performances in championship game history as the top-ranked Maroons rolled to a 44-13 victory before about 10,000 fans in the UNI-Dome.

Boyle ran for four touchdowns, passed for two touchdowns and accounted for 365 yards of total offense against the top-rated defense in the entire state.

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