Tigers take decisive homecoming win over Xavier

Michigan State recruit James Harrington carried the Tigers passed Cedar Rapids Xavier in a top 10 homecoming showdown. The second ranked, and now 5-0 Tigers defeated the 7th ranked, and now 3-2 Xavier Saints in a lopsided game. Harrington caught four passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers held a 21-0 lead at half. Xavier just couldn’t find an answer for juniors Barkley Hill and Harrington who combined for 205 yards in the first half alone.

Xavier had 286 yards of total offense on the night, compared to Cedar Falls who posted 289 yards. In the first half, Cedar Falls had 203 total yards.

Cedar Falls’ defensive back Johnathan Beckman scored the first touchdown of the night by jumping a Xavier screen pass thrown by Andy Didio and returning it 32 yards to the house; Jacob Fagersten then came in to hit the extra point to give Cedar Falls a 7-0 lead. Fagersten was 4-for-4 on the night on point after touchdowns.

The second touchdown of the night came in the second quarter when senior Jordan Doyle lofted a pass over a Xavier defender and the ball dropped into the hands of Harrington whose speed is unmatched in the open field. Harrington ran the rest of the way for a 59-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers were just getting started.

Before the end of the half, Hill hooked up with Harrington on a trick play that went for 28 yards and a Tiger touchdown.

The high-powered CF offense was too strong for the Saints. This was Cedar Falls first real challenge of the season, and they proved themselves coming out on top, 28-7.

The next time the Tigers will be in action is this Friday as they look to improve to 6-0 at Dubuque Wahlert Catholic.