The top-ranked Cedar Falls Tigers face arguably their toughest test of the season tonight as they travel to Cedar Rapids Xavier. The Saints are coming off of a 52-24 drubbing at the hands of #2 Iowa City High last Friday, but Cedar Falls co-head coach Pat Mitchell says that score is a bit deceptive.

He says it was a close ballgame in the third quarter and then Iowa City broke it open with a couple of scores. City High battered the Xavier defense to the tune of 415 rushing yards a week ago, so Cedar Falls will likely put the ball in the hands of All-State running back Barkley Hill early and often.

Mitchell says Xavier put a lot of guys on the line to try and stop the running game, so there could be some other things they can do.

The Tigers have won the last three meetings against Xavier.

The Saints’ last win in the series came during the 2006 playoffs. Xavier went on to win the Class 4A championship that year.

By Jesse Gavin KCNZ Cedar Falls

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