The Xavier Saints finished off their 2017 non-district schedule with a 16-0 victory over the Linn-Mar Lions Friday night, a game that didn't have a lot of fireworks or excitement, but wasn't ever really in doubt, either. Xavier continued to show a pretty solid defense capable of shutting down - or at least slowing down - any type of offense thrown at them so far. The offense once again took advantage of the opportunities the defense (and special teams) gave them.
The Linn-Mar offense only got past the Xavier 47-yard line once, and that in the waning moments of the 4th quarter (with a drive that ended with Xavier's third interception of Trot Carey). The Saints, meanwhile, took advantage of a deflected punt in the 1st quarter, with Quinn Schulte firing a 39-yard TD pass to a wide-open Gabe Lux on the first play after the punt. Field position proved key in the 3rd quarter as well, as the Saints forced a Lion punt attempt out of their end zone that resulted in safety after a bad snap, and then used the short field after the free kick for a 55-yard scoring drive and their second touchdown.
As I said, nothing very explosive or flashy about the Saints offense so far this year. Braden Stovie continues to look good at running back. Jax Junge got a lot of key yards on the last drive to help run out the clock. Schulte has been pretty efficient at quarterback - he did have two long passes on the night (in addition to the scoring pass, another beautiful 39-yard throw to McClain Burger really crossed up the defense and set up the last touchdown).
The defense, though, really looks to be coming together. They held Linn-Mar to negative rushing yards going into the 4th quarter, mostly due to a relentless series of sacks of quarterback Carey. After forcing three turnovers in the opener against Regina, they got three more this week, all interceptions and all nice plays (Schulte cut in front of a receiver on the sideline for the first pick, Lux got the second on a high throw after Carey hesitated on the slant pattern, and Burger finished off the Lions with a tremendous 4th quarter pick, jumping the out route, tipping the ball into the air, and snagging it as he fell to the turf).
So Xavier moves to 2-0 on the young season, continuing their regular season winning streak (now at 20 games, I believe, with the last loss coming to Regina back in 2014). The district opener this coming week will be a good one, as Benton Community comes to Saints Field. The Bobcats had an outstanding season last year (after back-to-back losses to Marion and Xavier, Benton didn't lose another game until the playoffs), finishing second in District 3. They bring back a lot of talent - Spencer Touro at quarterback, Maurice Williams was a beast last season both running and tackling - and are definitely going to be district contenders again. The Bobcats avenged their loss to Marion with a 17-14 comeback win over the Indians on Friday, and you know they've got the Xavier game marked on their calendars as well.
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