Sat Sep 14 03:56:00 UTC 2024: ## Western Dubuque Upsets Xavier in Thrilling 21-17 Win
**EPWORTH, Iowa** – In a dramatic and hard-fought contest, the Western Dubuque Bobcats pulled off a stunning upset against the four-time state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier Saints on Friday night, defeating their rivals 21-17.
The Saints, who had won the last four matchups against Western Dubuque, entered the game with a four-game winning streak and a reputation for dominance in the Eastern Iowa and Mississippi Valley Conference. However, the Bobcats, fueled by a strong second-half defense, managed to overcome a 17-14 halftime deficit to claim a crucial victory.
Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks early in the game, with Western Dubuque’s Brett Harris and Xavier’s Cash Parks sidelined due to injury. Despite the setback, Xavier’s quarterback Cohen Honkamp stepped up and threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
The Bobcats, however, countered with a strong offensive performance of their own, led by quarterback Tanner Anderson’s 172 yards and two touchdown passes. Drew Burds also contributed a crucial rushing touchdown in the second quarter, putting Western Dubuque ahead 14-10.
After a back-and-forth first half, Western Dubuque’s defense clamped down on Xavier, limiting Honkamp to just 50 passing yards in the second half. The Bobcats ultimately sealed the victory with a late defensive stand, forcing an interception to end the game.
The victory improves Western Dubuque’s record to 2-1, while Xavier falls to 2-2. The Bobcats will look to build on this momentum, while the Saints will be eager to bounce back from the surprising loss.
First Piper 