As the school year starts up again, so does the football season for the Xavier Saints. The Saints started the season ranked second in Class 3A. After finishing 9-2 last season, Xavier looks to come back even stronger this year.

“I’m just looking to enjoy this season with my teammates and coaches and to make it back to the UNI Dome,” senior quarterback Bryce Schulte said.

The Saints opened up the season with a non-district home game against 1A top-ranked Iowa City Regina. Xavier struck first with a 68-yard touchdown run from senior running back Maliki Wilson. Both teams went back and forth in scoring, keeping the game close. Xavier was ahead 14-12 at halftime after Regina missed two extra points.

Wilson came out strong in the third quarter, igniting the offense with a 31-yard touchdown run in the first two minutes of the second half. Schulte had two rushing touchdowns, with one coming in the final four minutes of the game. The Regals responded with a touchdown run of their own, making the score 28-26 Xavier. With 1:48 remaining, the Saints got the ball at their own 34-yard line and after two short run plays, Wilson broke free and ran 62 yards for a game deciding touchdown. Wilson passed Brendan Miller (271 yards) for the school record for most rushing yards in a game with 293 yards. Xavier won 35-26 and now leads the Regina-Xavier rivalry series 2-1.

The Saints next game was against Linn Mar on September 2. This was Xavier’s first Metro non-district game since moving to 3A two years ago. The Saints had a solid start, taking a 14-0 lead thanks to a 53-yard punt return by senior Josh Gerke and scores by Schulte and Wilson. The Lions then scored 17 points straight. At the beginning of the fourth quarter the score was 14-17.

“We challenged each other at halftime to come out in the second half to be tough and to play Xavier football the way it’s supposed to be played,” Schulte said.

The fourth quarter was where all the magic happened for the Saints. Senior Nolan Butkowski intercepted a pass which lead to senior Shane Scott’s 23-yard field goal to tie the game. Wilson then scored three consecutive times. He also ran in a two-point conversion giving the Saints a 38-17 lead. Senior receiver Brian Lang put on the finishing touches with a 21-yard touchdown run with a minute left in the game, making the final score 45-17.

“The defense got some crucial stops and our offense answered with touchdowns. Everyone did their job the right way and it showed in the fourth quarter,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s 97-yard touchdown run tied the school record for longest run and his 26 points broke the school record for most points scored by one person in a game.

Xavier started their district play against the Benton Bobcats on September 9. The Saints had a dominant start with a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Senior fullback Erik Rodriguez, Wilson and Schulte all had rushing touchdowns. After catching a 33-yard pass, Butkowski caught another pass for a 21-yard touchdown reception. Along with a 55-yard punt return, Wilson also had 49-yard touchdown run. Junior linebacker Jack Lemke had a 51-yard pick six, giving Xavier a 41-0 lead halfway through the third quarter. Benton finally got on the scoreboard late in the third. Junior Jack Scott finished the Saints off with a 10-yard touchdown run. The Saints won 47-14.

The Saints host Charles City(1-2, 1-0) this coming Friday and are looking to start 2-0 in the district