Week 1 Preview: Cedar Rapids Xavier @ Dowling Catholic

They ended 2013 in the UNI-Dome.

They will begin 2014 at Valley Stadium.

And, to add, this will be your Century Link Game of Week here on CISN.

How’s that to kick off Week 1 of the Iowa prep football season?

For Cedar Rapids Xavier, the Saints has a score to settle with the Maroons. Dowling Catholic turned a highly anticipated title game into a rout en route to their second state title in four years. Could Dowling do it again? Many pundits have predicted that this could be Tom Wilson’s best squad…even better than last year’s title team.  Xavier has now dropped down to 3A, and are in a rebuilding mode. Head Coach Duane Schulte expects his seniors to lead and for his juniors to follow suit as they begin the season in West Des Moines.

Who: Cedar Rapids Xavier (0-0) at West Des Moines Dowling Catholic (0-0)

Where: Valley Stadium, West Des Moines

When: Friday, August 29th, 7:30pm kickoff

The Facts: Dowling defeated Xavier in the 2013 Class 4A championship game, 44-13.  The Maroons return All-State QB Ryan Boyle, FS Nick Wilson, and K Nick McClelland, among 30+ letterwinners. Xavier returns three starters, RB/LB Nik Ekland, RB/LB Jay Kortemeyer, and RG/DE Louis Hasley.

Things to watch:

• How can Xavier stop Iowa recruit Ryan Boyle?
• How will the Saints respond to their farthest road trip in years?
• Xavier coach Schulte says stopping the big plays is key to winning.
• Dowling’s Tom Wilson says this game will be determined at the line of scrimmage.
• Xavier starts a sophomore QB in Bryan Schulte, but his genetics tell you to not let age determine his effectiveness.
• Who will be the most “dependable” in the Maroon offense?

Dowling Catholic – Projected Starting Lineups

Off. Backfield: QB Ryan Boyle, TB Isaiah Patton, FB Gray Gochenour, SE Eric Fardal, FL Charlie Schulte

Offensive Line: C Cole Wymore, G Joe Brett and Kevin Vaughn-Carber, T Elijah Swehla and Conner McPhee, TE Ben McNeal

Def. Backfield: FS Nick Wilson, CB Dante Campero and Michael Zachary, Rover Kevin McMurray, WLB Jordan Theis, MLB, Rodney Harris, Bandit Gray Gochenour

Defensive Line: Stud Max Morris, T Ross Carpenter, NG Steven Johnson, Whip Jo Jo Jok,

Special Teams: P/K Nick McLellan, Holder Frankie Mauro, LS Quinn Sonntag, PR Michael Zachary, KR Joe Gorsche

CR Xavier – Projected Lineups

Off. Backfield: QB Bryce Schulte, RB Jay Kortemeyer and Nic Ekland, FL Nick Stark, SE, Joe Welch

Offensive Line: C Ben Fahnle, G Logan Brown (or Sanders Ferring) and Louis Hasley, T Joe Constant and Tim Ottig, TE Noah Clasen

Def. Backfield: LB Jay Kortemeyer Thomas Eckes and Nic Ekland, DB Camden Stovie and Matt Downey, S Dylan Eller and Sean Murphy

Defensive Line: DE Noah Clasen and Louis Hasley, DT Nick Kellen and Mike Maher

Special Teams: K Dallas Klein and Connor Vogl, P Connor Foley

We will have a live blog of the game. Check in to see any story lines develop and stats as they become available.

Paul Yeager, Mark Kenkel and Jim Kirby will have the call of the game. Follow us on Twitter @CISportsNet

We also will have a live blog to keep you updated on other happenings as the nigh progresses.

Our other game on the website will be  Valley at Waukee, and that game will be on the audio cast, with Dar Danielson doing the play-by-play on the Central Iowa Sports Network.